E6400 sound quality/Vista

Could this be a codec issue? I had really low volumes playing some video files, and the problem went away after I uninstalled the codecs and installed a different set.

 

Try playing a Audio CD (the ones that you can put on any standard CD-player and play the music), is teh sound good? If yes, then it's a codec issue.
Most codec pack has an Audio codec panel. Close all multimedia (vide and audio) applications, look for it and go under the "volume" section, increase the volume, click on Apply, and close the panel, and load your video once more. You need to close your multimedia application, as the once the audio codec is loaded and video codec, then teh settings can't be changed for many media players.

If you have Vista 64-bit, I suggest to use Winamp 5 or Windows Media Player 11 64-bit (not 32-bit).
For 64-bit codec with 32-bit codec packs deisgned to run together:

32-bit codec (for compatibility reason):
http://shark007.net/vistacodecpackage.html

64-bit codec (with tool in start menu to switch from Windows Media Player 11 32-bit to 64-bit, and give you automatically thumbnail previews of videos (as Vista 64-bit needs 64-bit codecs for thumbnail preview)
http://shark007.net/x64components.html

If you decide to switch codec pacl. make sure you uninstall the old ones first.

 

All every good points, i don't want to hijack the thread - im using the default vista MP3 decoder. dells audio drivers. i have an identical system here with the same levels. audio CD's sound exactly the same i don't think im going deaf - my old 700m is loud as through my in ear phones argh

I'm going to try installing various codecs and see if i cant modify their configuration to at least see if its possible to boost further.

 

I skipped the IDT audio driver. I'm running the default Vista one.

 

Could it be the media player are you using to play back your tunes? I have an E6500 running XP. I agree with the analogy someone made to a 1960's transistor radio for the built-in speakers. But, right now I'm listening to a CD using Windows Media Player and it sounds pretty good. I tweaked the EQ in the Enhancements panel. Really not bad at all.

 

I'm on XP SP3 and I also got low volume and no bass when I use a headphone.

But I've found a workaround... Try to run this:

C:\Program Files\IDT\WDM\suhlp.exe

Worked for me. Might work for you too, while we look for a real fix.

Maybe the fact that this works will help us find the final solution. Apparently it restarts the "Audio Service". This service description is: "Manages audio jack configurations."

 

Yea, you should have full sound quality when you use the headphone jack. If you don't: unplug-it and plug it back in (Sometimes, the drivers gets confused if you sleep the system with a plug inside).

I would have said, you can mod the laptop by removing the palm rest (speakers are attached to it) and plug your own speakers (I mean Dell will never look there.. too hidden... I'll be surprised if they found out) , but anyway.. it's the sound card that blocks the base... so that won't help... unless you find a way to by-pass it.

 

How did you guys install the default vista audio driver? everytime i uninstall the IDT drivers, windows automatically starts installing the "best" driver, aka the IDT drivers, when windows starts up.

 

I don't see why people install the Windows audio drivers instead...
When I do it, my speakers always pop when Windows loads and shutdowns, and I don't see any sound difference.. the base is still not there on the laptop speakers.

 

Check out the all IDT Audio Drivers with now SRS!
HUDGE difference! A really great improved sound, with a new audio control panel packed with options to adjust SRS and equalizer.