Hi, I have a computer approximately 18 months old and the sound has suddenly stopped working. 

All I get from my 5.1 surround sound creative speakers is a hiss or buzz every time the computer should be playing a sound - this is the same for streaming internet clips, cd's dvd's and system noises.  Until Monday it was all working fine.

My system is:
AMD 64x2 5200+  2MB ram
Motherboard is ASUS M2N-E SLI
sound device listed is C-Media CM6501 like sound device (being a bit of a novice I'm not sure what this means  )

i have trawled through various posts and tried several tests and changes to settings but am beginning to think the problem must be hardware related.  All the speaker tests tell me that sound is working correctly.

I'm not sure this is relevant but ever since I got the computer I have experienced intermittent loud "bumps" (like a thud of bass) through the speakers?

Any help or advice appreciated, thanks.


First check all connections.....an rca plug slightly under stress(ex: a taut wire/lead) will cause your symptoms.........if no joy then try update the driver.

http://www.xpvistaworld.com/c_media_cm6501_like_sound_device_840.htm

Edit....I'm just wondering if theres another source for this driver.......

yup....

http://www.pcpitstop.com/drivers/download/C-Media~CM6501~Like~Sound~Device.htmlI'm probably being a little dense, but how do I download from the second of those sites (the driver appears to be a later version than the first?

checked all connections btw, seem fine.To update I have checked the drivers and it tells me I am using the latest version, any other suggestions please?Did you add any hardware or new software just before this happened.....have you tried a system restore to a restore point on Sunday or earlier?Thanks for the response, no new hardware or software added, and system restore did not make any difference either - is it possible that the soundcard (which I think is part of the motherboard  ) has stopped functioning properly?  If so what could I do about it?

Thanks again,

DaveSee if anything is conflicting in device manager.......Also GO to control panel >Administrative tools >Services.....ensure Windows Audio is enabled.There are no conflicts in device manager, windows audio is enabled.  In the "likesound device properties" it tells me the device is working properly and lists its location as: Location 0 (PnP audio device      )

Not sure if that is relevant, but trying to give you as much information as possible - and the device is enabled in the drop down menu at the bottom.Is the service enabled?

Maybe something disabled the service.Go into device manager, uninstall your sound driver, and reboot ...let the pc find them......maybe the drivers that the update says are OK are now corruptThanks guys, I'm afraid none of it made any difference though.

the device is enabled, I still hear a hiss or buzz instead of the sound I'm supposed to hear - the volume changes according to the volume level.

have tried to uninstall the driver and reboot - no change!

Any other ideas?

Thanks again I've seen onboard sound fail when there are leaking or bulging capacitors....You may want to grab a budget sound card and see it it cures the problem.....and one last  thought have you tried a different pair of speakers?

Edit

 Dave,try downloading the audio drivers from the motherboards manuf.......http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?model=M2N-E SLI&os=17&SLanguage=en-ustried different speakers - no change 

I guess a soundcard is my next option - what are bulging or leaking capacitors please? Will these imply the motherboard has an integral problem?Bulging capacitors can make a motherboard unusable...The capacitors are the small BATTERY shaped electronic parts on a motherboard...the capacitors have a + etched in the top of them ....they will have a domed top instead of a flat top if they are defective, and some may leak on the board or develop a crust on top as they CORRODE. Google bulging caps for a photo.ok, will TAKE a look, probably tomorrow now.

Thanks for trying to help.