Hello all -
At work I use a PowerBook G4 and recently the speakers started making distorted high gain noises when I should of been getting standard sounds on the computer...I use a "Quack" of a Duck for my Alert Sound. I have TRIED the following ALL of which has FAILED to clear-up the issue:
I zapped the PRAM, repaired premissions details on another MacNN Forums thread:
GUIDE: Zap PRAM, Repair Permissions, & run FSCK - Mac Forums
I also tried another zap PRAM method which was to unplug the power cord, remove the battery and them push on the start power button, count to 5 seconds and release and then put the computer back together and back on power. Re-started with no change with the sound issues.
NONE of this worked...I then when to the main Library and trashed the following from the Preference folder which I was told was the Sound Preferences:
com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist
I emptied the trash, completely shut-down, waited then started the computer again.
NONE of this worked either! @#$%^ (sorry, but I didn't really just curse).
I have the "System Preferences" "Sound" for Alert Volume set to zero, lowest setting; Output Volume set to zero, lowest setting; and I have the MUTE box checked. But I GET SOUND...very loud, over gained / Amplified with everything that usually gets an ALERT sound.
Since another Forum member has also just had this same trouble, I am not sure but maybe we should Thread back and forth about what software we have, what if any changes or updates we have recently installed and such and maybe we can find something in common that will lead to the root cause of the sound issue with the internal speakers that is even worst if external speakers are connected.
Let me go first with information about recent events involing the computer with the sound issues:
On 01-05-07...Just before the sound issues, I had a font corruption issue, so I downloaded a software called "Font Finagler 0.5.3" to clean out all my font caches. I did run the software and my font issue was fixed. I had a ton of fonts on the computer and the software turned them all to active. I had to get the IT specialist to set FontBook to allow me to access the User Fonts. Then I had to go deactive a ton of the User Fonts and to prevent future issues, I removed the deactived fonts from the User Library folder and placed them on my Data hard drive. I can always add in a few needed fonts via FontBook.
I have been running BOING and supporting the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI@home), but when ALL tons of Fonts were on and making the system run slow, I "Suspended" any activites and have not been helping the cause for a while.
On 01-08-07...Just before the sound issues, I had an issue with Retrospect a software that does auto back-ups of my hard drive on a particular schedule. I tried to load a newer version of Retrospect but the installation failed because I do not have system administration premission. The computer IT specialist erased part of the installed Retrospect and re-loaded the same version I had...so I did not end up with the newer version installed as I had wanted. I just looked at the Retrospect and it hasn't been turned on since it was fixed...that means I haven't been backed up since 01-04-07 according to the Back-up Log Data! I just now turned it back on!
Since 01-08-07, I have updated the Norton Anti-Virus preferences (via Live Update) twice, I updated Apple operating system (via Software update) to gain: "iChat Update (PowerPC)" (1.0), I also ended up getting something called "iTunes Volume" (which of course with my sound issues I set to zero volume); AND I ran Microsoft AutoUpdate (I think it added a security patch to Powerpoint or something).
I have downloaded and tried to install Firefox 2.0.0.1 while the font issue existed but because I do not have System Administration premissions, the installation failed. I am still waiting on the IT specialist to come install the newer browser...but they are researching what to do about my sound issue and are not ready to fix something else.
I have an ancient PDA - a Palm Vx gray-scale which WAS syncing to my Entourage notes and Calendar entries, but that stopped...after many tries and re-installing some software that helps sync Entourage, I was able to sync the notes, but I have not been able to Sync the calendar..each night, I hand input the calendar entries for the next day so i can start the morning knowing where I should report to work...I am waiting for the IT Specialist to come fix this issue, but they are still working the sound issue via Internet research.
Other thing of recent happenstance...I changed the way some of my external devices were connected - some were thru a hub and some were connected to a 24-inch Apple flat panel monitor I am using. Since I had sound troubles shortly after this - I re-connected everything as originally set-up...but this has not cured the problems but may have caused the PDA Entourage Sync issues.
The only other things I can think of are as follows:
(1) I am very statically charged and I try to touch a metal part of my desk before touching the compuer, but sometime I still discharge static when touching the computer or the PDA. I use anti-staric spray on my chair and carpeting at my desk, I use hand lotion, I try to drink more water in the winter when the building heat is on high, and I sometime waer anti-static steel-toed safety shoes. I may have fried something in the Mac or PDA via my own touch.
(2) At work, we had at least one power outage recently...the Mac and all it's accessories are connected to a Power Sentry powerstrip which did not "throw" itself when the power was restored to our building.
(3) I got a new mouse - a Targus mini with retractable cord and installed it...but I can't remember if that was before or after the sound issues occurred.
Well, to the guy that stared this Thread...your turn to tell me if any of the above has occurred with you as well, so that we might find what our sound issue plagued computers have in common.
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