testing for sound in R50e bios

[mastermiaow]

Hi Everybody

The sound stopped working on the above about 6 weeks ago. I have gone through all the windows options I think - downloading new drivers, uninstalling and reinstalling soundmax, checking in windows audio, checking device manager - everything is showing as working.
I have gone into the BIOS but am confused as to what to do there as there is nothing regarding sound.
As far as system recovery, I haven't tried this. I don't have a recovery CD although Windows came installed on the new machine. There is the Access IBM button which I think works instead of the recovery CD. But a few years ago my hard drive packed up and I replaced it with a generic harddrive and since then the Access has not worked.
Also I cannot do system restore because I toggled it when trying to remove Malware...

Any help gratefully appreciated..

[RealBlackStuff]

Download/burn one of the Linux-Live CDs (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.) and boot from that (without installing anything).
If sound now works, you have a Windows problem.
If not, you have a hardware problem.
There's nothing in the BIOS for sound.

[mastermiaow]

Thanks for getting back. A number of questions.

1. I am downloading Ubuntu because it is only 695mb and Linuxmint was 900mb+ so I assume wouldn't fit on a CD. The ubuntu site says it is for your "desktop" but I assume it is also for Laptops?
2. How do I boot from the CD once I have burned it? Do I have to press any F buttons or will it automatically give me the option to boot from CD?
3. I am not clear the difference between booting and not installing? Once I have booted will I go into Windows XP and test for sound from there?

Many thanks for explaining

Mastermiaow

[Neil]

1. Ubuntu probably won't boot on a R50e. It might, but if it doesn't here is why, you will likely need a non-PAE kernel which Ubuntu abandoned a couple of versions ago. Xubuntu 12.04 should work though, or an older Ubuntu version. Or AntiX, which is even smaller that Xubuntu, and might serve you for testing even better.

2. Depends on how your boot devices are arranged in the BIOS. To be sure press F12 at the IBM spash, and choose the CR-ROM.

3. Linux can run live from the CD, you don't have to install it. It will automagically load drivers for your devices. Windows won't be booted at all while running Linux. If sound works with the Linux drivers, that will let you know that your Windows drivers are bad.

[mastermiaow]

OK I am downloading Xubuntu 12.04.01 desktop-i386.iso CD. Will let you know how it goes

[mastermiaow]

I have had some problems with this.

I downloaded and extracted to a folder in my documents. I burned the contents of the folder to the CD. I restarted the computer, pressed F12. It went into the Boot options and I clicked on the DVD drive. However then it continued to boot up into Windows. I checked and the folders are definitely on the CD. A couple of folders were named 'Boot'. Could it be that I am supposed to only write certain folders onto the CD or that there is some other issue?

Many thanks again

Mastermiaow

[RealBlackStuff]

What you downloaded should have been only 1 file, either a file with .ISO or an .ISO inside a Zip/Rar file.
To burn an .ISO you need a program like the free Imgburn, or the function "burn image to CD" or something like that in other CD burning software.

[mastermiaow]

What you downloaded should have been only 1 file, either a file with .ISO or an .ISO inside a Zip/Rar file.
To burn an .ISO you need a program like the free Imgburn, or the function "burn image to CD" or something like that in other CD burning software.

What you downloaded should have been only 1 file, either a file with .ISO or an .ISO inside a Zip/Rar file.
To burn an .ISO you need a program like the free Imgburn, or the function "burn image to CD" or something like that in other CD burning software.

Thanks for this
I downloaded a zip file Xubuntu 12.04.01 desktop-i386.iso so that sounds right. I unzipped the files to a folder on my computer. I then burned those files to a CD. It seems there is a difference between writing files to CD and burning one image - is that what you are saying?
I took a screen shot of what was on the CD but there doesn't seem a facility to attach a file so I will list the foleder showing on the CD:
.disk
[BOOT]
boot
casper
dists
install
isolinux
pics
pool
preseed

There is notepad file:md5sum
there is another file README.diskdefines

Many thanks again

Mastermiaow

[RealBlackStuff]

Get Imgburn here free: www.imgburn.com

[mastermiaow]

OK
So I downloaded img.burn and burned the image to a CD. In Explorer the CD is labeled Xubuntu 12.04.1.
I booted through F12 and a blank screen came up with a curser on top left flashing. That was it.
Then I booted normally but with the CD still in and the same thing happened. I took the CD out and the computer booted into Windows. Could it be that Xubuntu is incompatible with the laptop?
A friend lent me a Windows 7 OS CD and I booted F12 using that. The screen brought up the Windows 7 interface and the option to install. There was no sound. I am guessing there should have been sound as when Windows 7 opens on my new laptop there is the signature 'tune'. Therefore can I assume that it is a hardware problem?

Many thanks again

[RealBlackStuff]

You may also have a problem with your CD-drive, try another if you can.
And removing the CD-drive temporarily might even solve the sound problem.
Stranger things have happened!

[mastermiaow]

Hi

I just checked the DVD drive by trying to play a music CD. It took some time but it was able to access the files and start playing (albeit silently) from the Winamp interface...
Do you have instructions on how to remove the CD drive - it doesn't look that straightforward looking at the bottom of the laptop..

Thanks again

Matthew

[ajkula66]

The media drive on "e" models isn't swappable, although it's removable.

Before you start ripping the machine apart, download an older version of Linux Mint (9 would be my suggestion), burn a CD and boot from it.

You should have sound if the hardware is not at fault.

Good luck.

[mastermiaow]

OK so I booted from Linux mint and everything was running, wired up to web and went onto Youtube and still no sound. Checked sound preferences and they were on. So I guess it is definitely a hardware problem - is there any diagnostic I can run for this?

Thanks again

[Neil]

I think you have just done adequate diagnostics.
Can you hear sounds through the headphone jack? Or are both the speakers and the jack silent?

[rkawakami]

So I guess it is definitely a hardware problem - is there any diagnostic I can run for this?

Just to be clear here, and sorry if this seems quite obvious, but have you pressed the volume up button several times (to the right of the Access IBM button) to make sure you haven't accidentally enabled the mute or lowered the volume to the minimum setting?

There was a quite simple diagnostic program that was available for these older Thinkpads: PC Doctor for DOS. When booted from diskettes or a CD-R, you could run several diagnostic routines, sound being one of them. Unfortunately, it was withdrawn from official distribution last year. It may be possible to find the program somewhere online. Under terms of a legal cease-and-desist order, I am unable to personally provide a copy.

[mastermiaow]

I just tried that Ray and you were spot on. I had assumed that the windows mute and Access mute were interchangeable. They aren't! Many thanks for this. I feel really embarrassed but I have learned a lot in the process. Thanks again everyone for your help