Volume problem

The maximum volume on my newish (I've had it for about 6 weeks) AA1 has always been poor but now seems to be non existent. Do you think this is a fault or is there a tweak or mod. I can do to get some sort of resolution to this?

 

I have what sounds exactly the same problem. I have had my Aspire One for a couple of days. On the first day, Wednesday it was fine, and then yesterday almost no volume at all. If I hold it up to my ear, I can just about hear something.

 

I bought my AAO on the internet, fortunately from John Lewis who are very reputable, so I am going to return it. Hopefully I will get a replacement but if the next one is no better I shall look to getting my money back and get a different model. A great pity 'cos this is a brilliant little machine but not a lot of good for watching films etc. without any sound.
I'll let you know how I get on.

 

First, be sure you've found all the volume controls. Windows seems often to work at cross purposes as to whether you're turning down application volume or system volume, so you have to know where these things are and stay on top of them.

Second, when I got my AO the whole sound system was pretty lame (mics didn't work, sound was scratchy). After a bit of reading here, I found new sound drivers on the Acer site somewhere and loaded them. Not only is the sound better, but I have more options now (an equalizer that wasn't there before, for instance, with a new icon on the right end of the taskbar.)

 

Thanks for your help, my netbook uses Linux (unfortunately) and the volume controls look pretty straightforward - Fn and F8 etc unless I am missing something. Another problem is that if I do load a new sound driver and it doesn't work the Acer customer service man (pronounced moron) has told me that it may invalidate my guarantee and the netbook would then have to be sorted out at my expense. A bit of a quandary!

 

Mine is a Linux based one too.

hhhhancock - did you install any sw on yours just before it stopped working? I installed vlc, and the sound volume was fine, and then the volume went quiet when I next used it - so I am beginning to suspect the reboot introduced the problem.

 

No, no new software installed although I was considering installing
VLC before this happened. After praising John Lewis they wouldn't do anythii only wish I'd paid the extra and g but Acer are helping now, will probably have to return it to them.
I only wish I'd paid the extra and bought the XP version, Linux is really a nightmare, and I used to think Windows was bad!

 

I have solved my problem through some digging around these forums.

Running alsamixer from the terminal showed that the master volume was 100% but the pcm volume 18%. I raised the pcm volume to 100% and sound is back to normal.

hhhhancock - this may solve your problem too!

(PS - surprised about John Lewis!)

 

My word you've cracked it! I'm very grateful. Do you know what PCM means? When I worked in telecoms PCM was short for Pulse Code Modulation, but I don't know whether this is the same and I never really knew what it meant anyway.Although volume is back it's not exactly going to disturb the neighbours! A pity but I guess I can always buy a little external amplified speaker but it sort of detracts from the portability of this netbook.
Yes, I was extremely disappointed with J L's attitude, won't use them again, I should have stuck with Amazon who I have always found brilliant with problems.
Thanks again.
Leigh