Powerspec 1530 Laptop Audio Drivers

ddrieg

I just purchased a 1530. What a powerhouse! 😁 I was warned about drivers being finicky by the sales rep. and I do have one issue. 🤔

My speakers (Realtek driver) do not work consistently. The headphone 3.5mm port always works.

Sometimes they will work flawlessly for a hour and then just cut out for no reason (streaming music for example). Sometimes Windows event sounds will start and then "crackle" to an abrupt silence mid-sound.

I've tried different drivers but things only got worse, so I've reverted back. What is the recommended driver version for ALL sound devices on this machine? And where can I get them? Is there anything newer than what is on the Microcenter Technical support webpage? I really want to keep the machine since they are getting scarce (no longer in stock at my MC store) and it is a GREAT value, but I do need everything to work consistently.

Thanks.

JS_MC

Hello @ddrieg

Is there a specific time when you tend to notice that the audio on the speakers will crackle or cut out?

I'd love to get some more info from you about this.

Please expect an email from me shortly.

ddrieg

Sorry for the delay as I wasn't checking the board. For example, I could be listening to a mix on Youtube which is over an hour long. About 1/2 in to it, then will just stop. Sometimes ending with a slow crackle drying sound. Its not really a digital sound but more of a loose physical connection sound, but the machine hasn't moved. Other times, if I do move the machine and then try to play sounds, nothing happens. ...or sometimes even after sitting idle, I won't get sound. The headphone port always works. What I have found is that if I go into "Manager Sound Devices" : "Output Devices" | Speakers: Realtek(R) Audio, click test and I get nothing, I'll disable it, wait a second, and then reenable it, and then click test, and I'll get sound from the left and right speaker as I should. I've never had any issue with this unit except the speakers. If I could get them working, I'd be 100% happy. When I got the unit, Windows did an update immediately. I never heard sound all through the initial boot or during the upgrade. Later I realized this and found them not to be working. I have the GeForce Experience and control panel loaded. I did not try the drivers on the website or disk. Currently, from device manager, I have Driver Provider: Realtek(R) Audio "Realtek Semiconductor Corp.", Driver Date: 3/24/2020 Driver Details: 6.0.8923.1 Apparently, 3/26/2020 6.0.8924.1 is available and I did try that, but it did not help having the same symptoms. Also, apparently, 4/22/2020 6.0.8940.1 is also available but I have not tried that.

Ian

Hello, looking into this it appears our email team is continuing to work with you on this.

ddrieg

Ian: Thanks.

I met with the service department of my local MC this evening. Awesome tech!!! and no wait (I went at 6pm).

The problem does seem to have indeed been a physically "pinched" audio cable, not an O/S, driver or software issue.

For reference, for those who also may experience this issue, the built-in speaker would cut out if the laptop was tilted, moved, or the case was in any way "flexed". When I say "flexed", I mean even if I glided my finger with immeasurably minute pressure over the front lip of the case, that was enough to cause the issue. It was THAT sensitive.

Removing the case (voiding warranty I'm sure - that's why I let the tech do it) involved removing screws on the underside, the keyboard (and the screws under it) and gently with the thin "knife" tool, "popping" the case open on every side similar to opening a cell phone or tablet. BTW: the case needs to be opened in this manner if a second NVMe M.2 SSD is to be added, for example - which I did while the case was open.)

Inside is a "daughter"-power-board riveted to the main motherboard for the speakers. There is a small multi-pin connector attached. This apparently was ever-so-slightly pinched against the front vertical face of the case, which explains why even just gliding my finger over the front lip of the laptop was enough for the speaker power board to cut out. Disabling the speakers and reenabling them via Windows Settings | Sound |Output | Manage Sound Devices | Speakers Realtek (R) Audio would cut the power to this board and then reestablish it, effectively resetting the board. This explains why, before it was fixed, this process worked to recover the speakers after they would cut out.

After reseating the cable, with the case off, the speakers consistently worked no matter how the laptop was moved. Reinstalling the case, recreated the issue. On the second attempt, the tech was able to ever-so-slightly reposition the cable and get the case back on to as not to interfere with the cable, so the speakers now consistently work no matter how the laptop is moved or touched.

Overall, I LOVE this laptop!!! It has everything I need, want, and more!... and for the price, you can't go wrong. I can't say enough good things about it. And yes, the fans (plural) can get extremely loud and I really do mean EXTREMELY, but they have only done that once and most times you can't hear them. I haven't tried to quiet them down yet via settings nor work on any of the power-saving settings to lengthen the on-battery operating duration.

I did buy the extended warranty (which I typically never do, but this is a fairly large/heavy laptop and it not being a "mainstream" brand, I'll rely on MC to get parts and service if ever needed, rather than use an auction site or other parts source like I've done for components for my previous laptops. BTW: this unit does need to be sent out for service by MC if repairs are needed as they can't perform full repair service in house - I don't mind as I understand turn-around time is fairly quick. I understand parts are generally available for 3-5 years and if they are not and the unit can't be fixed while the unit is still under the extended warranty, the extended warranty will provide a credit towards another newer model of my choice.

Again, the unit overall and tech service is/was over the top!

I can't recommend MC and this laptop enough.

Thanks everyone!

--one very happy MC customer

Ian

I am glad to hear they got this resolved with you! Please let us know if you have any other questions.