#1 2020-11-11 20:45:36

trilobite

Member

From: Saskatchewan, Canada

Registered: 2017-06-27

Posts: 162

Sound card weirdness, on yet another old laptop

I keep getting these old laptops to put Linux on and give away. Bunsen Labs is the bomb. This is #15.

Toshiba Satellite U300 which had Windows Vista on it. So it's pretty old. The sound card puts out nice sound. There's even a finger wheel volume adjuster.  But the microphone/sound input does not work at all.  I've figured out that the sound card does the same thing with windows (I have winXP and win7 disks to test things with if necessary).  But is this weird?  That output is fine, but input is fried?  Like the sound card is half bjorked?

I have it currently plugged in to an older flatscreen TV which has a VGA plug in.  Watching youtube music videos because, well might as well. (yes, I;m also collecting old TVs it seems, I didn't mean to!)

Last edited by trilobite (2020-11-11 20:46:24)

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{Linux-using people I haven't met are friends yet to be made.}

rbh

Moderator

From: South of Lapplands inland

Registered: 2016-08-11

Posts: 1,921

Re: Sound card weirdness, on yet another old laptop

you have tested with external microphone that input of sound is dead?
I have never encontered a soundchip that outputs ok, but where input does not work.
Broken cords for loudspeakers/mic etc, but never what you describe.

You can get usb-soundcard for under 10$...

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// Regards rbh

Please read before requesting help: "Guide to getting help", "Introduction to the Bunsenlabs Lithium Desktop" and other help topics under "Help & Resources" on the BunsenLabs menu

trilobite

Member

From: Saskatchewan, Canada

Registered: 2017-06-27

Posts: 162

Re: Sound card weirdness, on yet another old laptop

Yes, the thing does not work with an external microphone either. Yes, it is weird isn't it?

USB soundcard.  Interesting, never heard of that.  Thanks.

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{Linux-using people I haven't met are friends yet to be made.}

ohnonot

...again

Registered: 2015-09-29

Posts: 5,592

Re: Sound card weirdness, on yet another old laptop

But the microphone/sound input does not work at all.

How are you testing it?
AFAICS it has separate Mic & headphone jacks, not suitable for a headset?
What's pavucontrol say, have you moved the sliders way up, enabled Mic boost?

rbh

Moderator

From: South of Lapplands inland

Registered: 2016-08-11

Posts: 1,921

Re: Sound card weirdness, on yet another old laptop

AFAICS it has separate Mic & headphone jacks, not suitable for a headset?

All old computers has separate connection for mic/speakers-headphone. So, headsets from that time has separate 3.5 mm plugs for the mic/headphone. Modern headsets, have one 4-pole connection, but can be used on old equipment with splitting Y-cable. Old headsets, can with combining Y-cable be used on modern equipment.

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// Regards rbh

Please read before requesting help: "Guide to getting help", "Introduction to the Bunsenlabs Lithium Desktop" and other help topics under "Help & Resources" on the BunsenLabs menu