Stupid Computer Question

[rubberdinghy]

I have no sound on my computer right now...I know what the problem is...has to do with drivers, my mobo, and Service Pack 2.

If I get a pair of speakers that plug into my USB port, I will not be using my soundcard, therefore should be able to get sound.

Correct?

[TheAlphaNerd]

In theory a pair of USB speakers should work without a problem. Although if you are having software conflicts with your audio drivers you might still run into problems.

Only real way to know is to plug in and see.

What you may want to try prior to spending the money would be uninstalling all of your current audio drivers from your hardware device manager. Then turn your computer off and on and again, allowing windows to re-install your sound drivers. That may fix the problem.

Edited September 10, 2008 by Guest

[rubberdinghy]

Yeah...tried that...unsuccessful.

[larry_llama]

usb audio devices are very reliable and very "plug and play". Never had an issue with them, ever. They seem to run "driver free" on windows mac and even most linux installs. I say go for it. If all else fails, you can smash them out of frustration which should be at least slightly fun and worth part of the purchase price.

edit: or get one of these and then you can broadcast to a house full of radios. I have one and it is freaking awesome.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330268385783

Edited September 10, 2008 by Guest

[ollie]

Your soundcard controls your computer's sound so if it's jacked no manner of speaker will help.

[jonyak]

it doesn't matter if you use usb, its still gonna use your sound drivers.

just go and download new updated drivers.

[Tungsten Gruvsten]

ouch - bad computer knowledge going on here- a USB soundcard/pair of speakers will NOT use the same sound driver as a sound card - USB audio is built into windows XP and the two are very separate.

[rubberdinghy]

usb audio devices are very reliable and very "plug and play". Never had an issue with them, ever. They seem to run "driver free" on windows mac and even most linux installs. I say go for it. If all else fails, you can smash them out of frustration which should be at least slightly fun and worth part of the purchase price.

edit: or get one of these and then you can broadcast to a house full of radios. I have one and it is freaking awesome.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330268385783

That things neato...do they sell it in stores?

[larry_llama]

No, but I ordered it from that seller and it came fast and friendly.

Regarding drivers, USB speakers have absolutely nothing to do with whatever sound card/driver you currently have. They completely bypass it as long as they are officially a "USB Audio" device. They have the soundcard essentially built into them.

But I highly recommend that USB transmitter. I have a radio in every room-and in the back yard-and I just turn it on in whatever room I'm in, all being fed from a single computer. And it covers all 3 floors of the house...