On-board audio

shane1234 · #1 07-04-2003, 02:44 AM

I just built 2 new systems- one is an AMD 2600+, with an ECS K7S5A Pro mainboard, running win98 (for now). The other is a 1.8 Pentium, with a Shuttle AV49N via mainboard, running Mandrake Linux 9.1. Both systems are up and running as well as can be expected, except i am not getting any sound from the on-board audio on either one. I tried drivers and everything else i can think of on the windows based system, the device manager shows no conflicts, and "the device is working properly" even though i get the no audio hardware error whenever i start media player (Cannot play back the audio stream: no audio hardware is available. (Error=00040258)). As far as the linux system, im still a newbie, and im not sure where to even start with that one. I tested all the speakers, they are working just fine. Any suggestions would be appricated.

One other thing- Ont the win98 system, i've tried several times to upgrade to XP Pro- after the inital reboot, when the screen comes up with the black and white progress bar that says starting windows or continuing setup or something like that- the system locks up right there. This is a clean system, with win98, a few updates, and a couple utility programs on it. nothing else. any one want to give this one a shot?

Thanks for the help!

shane1234 · #2 07-04-2003, 02:51 AM

The win98 system has what seems to be a realtec audio chip on the mainboard. And the linux system has what appeard to be an audio chip with a picture of some funky lookin crab on it. if that helps anyone

And yes, i have had a few drinks.... Happy 4th of July!

rta50 · #3 07-04-2003, 03:20 AM

I had a similar problem that required me to by speakers that had thier own amplifiers. Do your speakers have to be plugged into a socket and are the volume controls on the speakers them selves?
When I built my computer I used an ECS K7S5A and had the same problem. After buying amplified speakers it worked fine. Hope this helps you out.

shane1234 · #4 07-04-2003, 03:26 AM

Thanks for the reply, but i already tested the speakers. Yes, they are amplified. Earlier, i plugged them into the headphone jack on the front of the cd-rom on both systems and jamed with tom petty for a few minutes

Then i carried on with the drinkin and the cussing at the speakers.

rta50 · #5 07-05-2003, 02:00 AM

The drinking and cussing works for me, done it many times myself.
The only other solution I can think of would be to disable the onboard sound in bios and buy a new sound card. Probably not what you wanted to hear but a little more drinking and cussing might make it a little more palatable. I just opened another bud myself so this ones for you.

beeboy · #6 07-05-2003, 12:00 PM

I see where ECS motherboards are very popular and cheap but how is the quality?

rta50 · #7 07-06-2003, 05:11 AM

I have three computers that I built. One was built specificaly for my DVD Burner and for my wife to surf the net. This one has an AMD XP 1700 with the ecs K7S5A motherboard which I have never had a problem with. The second computer has an AMD XP 1700 with the ECS motherboard which I built for my CD Burner which has never given me any problems. Now we come to the computer I built for myself. Because it was for me it required better components. I put in an AMD XP 2400 cpu and a Soyo Dragon motherboard, big mistake. I didn,t notice when I bought the $120.00 Soyo that it didn't even com with a built in lan card. Once it was put together I was unable to connect to the internet. I had to buy an inline net card for my computer. We have cable broadband thru a D-Link 804 router. I have very few problems with the ECS motherboards. They seem to be stable and very compatible with the other components. Not bad for $53.00 each plus they take sdram and ddr. The sound cards work fine on both of mine but I might add I went to thier web site and downloaded the latest drivers for the boards. Just from my experience I would say you didn"t waste your money on the K7S5A board.

curtybob · #8 07-06-2003, 08:11 PM

I have a PC Chips motherboard in my old box, they are made by the same company as ECS (I think it's ECS that owns several smaller companies) and it was a really reliable motherboard. I think the idea of these smaller companies making decently priced products loaded with the good stuff is great. It's nice to be able to build your own and have it run like a mainstream manufacturer's offering-- only faster!

and fella's, if we keep up this drinking pace, we will all have to join a 12 step forum!!!

Reeper47 · #9 07-13-2003, 08:31 AM

Well people, ECS is one of the worst motherboards i ever had they are rubbish and when i first got mine the sound was working fine but the onboard sound was crap so i put in a cheap vibra 128. But in the end i took the board back as it was giving trouble for some reason it wouldn't work with a network card. That board was the worst thing that ever happend to me. I ended up getting a Gigabyte motherboard which is excellent and i recomend Asus or Gigabyte since they are the best and have won the most awards. And if you ever get one go for one with Nforce they are good.