No sound from PowerBook G4

PowerBook G4 sound output frequently disappears. When this happens, System Preferences says "no output devices found" where it used to show internal speakers, etc. No sound through headset when plugged in either. Repairing permissions, followed by a restart, restores the sound, but this must now be done almost every time the computer is used. Suggestions?

The speaker volume is stored in the PRAM, so you might try resetting it next time you have the problem:
Shut down the computer.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

Similar Messages

Buzzing Sound from Powerbook G4

I'm experiencing this problem with my Powerbook G4. The problem has been occurring pretty much ever since I owned the machine, and it's driving me up the wall!!
Whenever the machine is using some sort of Firewire Audio device it emits a loud buzzing/scraping sound, coming from under the left hand speaker. The buzzing gets worse when I start an audio App of some sort, such as Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Sibelius and even humble iTunes!
I've tried a Digidesign MBox 2 Pro, and an M-Audio FW410, both of which exhibit the same behaviour, and don't cause the same problem when I try it on other Macs (I've tried it on an Intel Mac Mini, a MacBook, and a MacBook Pro so far).
Things I've tried to fix it:
1. Unplugging the Mac from the mains power and unplugging the interface from the mains, and all combinations of the two.
2. Reinstalling Mac OSX (I've tried both 10.4 and 10.5).
3. Updating drivers.
I've got AppleCare, and the technicians at my local Apple Store kindly took in the machine and have now replaced the entire Logic Board twice, and still no change in behaviour. I'm now in discussion with Apple Technical support, who take the line that there isn't a problem with the machine, it must be the third party device. I would agree with this of course, except I've tested the devices on other machines, and they work fine, plus the two devices are from two different manufacturers. I do feel a bit like Apple don't know what's wrong and are giving me the easy answer of "it's not our fault".
One of the technicians did mention the sound was coming from one of the logic chips on the board if that helps anyone!
Is anyone else experiencing anything like this?

The speaker volume is stored in the PRAM, so you might try resetting it next time you have the problem:
Shut down the computer.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

No sound from my speakers Powerbook 17inch

I can't get any sound from my powerbook 17inch speakers. The only sound option in the Sound preference panel is Digital Out????? I get audio via headphones and line out, but no internal audio from the speakers!!!!!
Any ideas......?/?

Hi Crispian,
I've heard of this problem quite a bit. There is some type of a reed switch or similar thing inside the headphone jack that determines whether headphones are connected. Yours is most likely stuck. First, try and just plug/unplug a set of headphones a number of times from the jack and see if you can "unstick" it. Otherwise, you may need to have it repaired.
--Justin S.

Loss of Sound from Internal Speakers

My PowerBook G4 DVI has lost it's ability to play any sound from it's internal speakers. A check of the Sound Output preferences in System Preferences shows that the sound is routed to Headphones, despite no headphones being plugged in. Partially plugging a headphone jack into the headphone socket (and jiggling it about a bit) results in the sound being routed to the internal speakers. Sound re-routes tot he headphones as soon as I remove the headphone jack.
Is this a hardware problem or has anyone else experienced this?

Welcome to the discussions Mark.
Very occasionally when I remove my headphones from the socket the PowerBook still thinks the headphones are plugged in and doesn't re-route the audio to the internal speakers. I find that plugging the headphones in and out again fixed the problem. I'm not sure whether it's a hardware or software issue (I suspect hardware), but you're not the only one to suffer from it.
Unless you're still under warranty, plugging in and out is the only solution I've come across
You could also post feedback to Apple about this issue using the link below. Apple won't respond to you (hey generally don't read these discussions), but since it is a bug of some sort, they should be made aware of it.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/powerbook.html

No sound from speakers after 10.4.4 update

After doing all the latest updates I'm not getting any sound from the speakers on my powerbook. I can stream music, or listen to sound on my headphones, but not from the speakers. Any ideas?

If you did your update through the software update function, some have found that applying the combo update, which has to be downloaded from Apple, fixes things. Apparently the updates done through the software update function don't always update everything they should, where the combo update is a more thorough update.
You can find the 10.4.4 combo update at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosxupdate1044combo.html and the current 10.4.5 combo update is at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosxupdate1045combo.html

No Sound From DVD Player

I received my new (refurb.) 15" PB today. Everything works great except I can get no sound from Apples DVD player. CDs, iTunes, system sounds etc. all work correctly. Audo output is set to System Sound Output in DVD Preferences. Using VLC I get DVD sound but lots of dropped frame errors. Any suggestions?
15" PowerBook Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I'm having the same problem. I can play the video part of a DVD but no sound. Audio CDs and Windows sounds work fine. Does this mean I'm missing a DVD codec or is there a software setting I'm missing. The Nvidia codec costs money. Is there a free codec that will fix this? This is with Windows XP and Audigy 2 LS.
cruzmisl wrote:
Ok I figured it out. I downloaded the Nvidia codec and it works fine. Shouldn't all the sw be aailable with the soundcard though? I really don't want to pay $40 for a codec I do not have the spdif bypass selected.....
Any ideas?
Thanks,
J.

No sound on PowerBook G4 10.5.8

I have recently purchased this computer off of craiglist and sound stopped working
I go into sound settings and its there "internal speakers" it is not muted but no sound is coming out.
I am at a lost.
thank you

I don't know if this will help or not, but there is an internal ribbon cable that if damaged will prevent all sound from your Mac. I've had to replace this on my 1Ghz 17" Mac because I broke off one end of the connector to it when replacing my hard drive. The cable goes over your hard drive as you can see in this picture.
Replacing the cable cost me $25 used from usedmac.com (including shipping). It could be something else too. This person at ifixit.com replaced the ribbon but is (or was) still having issues.
http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/366/Nosound+from+PowerBook+G4+17%22+internal+speaker+after+HDDchange
Don't know if that will help.

Static interference from powerbook and thru my speakers is driving me crazy

I am using the powerbook 1.67, an airport express and klipsh speakers for my sound. there is a mexican radio station that is playing at a very low but very annoying level thru the speakers. I have a 2.4 cordless phone on my desk as well as a printer plugged into the AX. I unplugged the phone and it is not coming from there. I restarted the AX as well as the modem and it's still there. The only way it stops is when I unplug the speakers. So the speakers themselves are somehow picking up this interference it looks like. Any suggestions? It's driving me crazy.
I wrote to the speaker company:
I am getting terrible radio/static
interference on my Klipsch computer speakers. I
have them plugged directly into my MAC laptop and
have an almost full signal from a mexican radio
station. I tried unplugging the modem, unplugging
the printer, moving the speakers, etc. All to no
avail. It makes it unbearable to use my speakers
unless turned way up. What can be done??? Thanks -
They wrote back:
I am very sorry to hear of your problem. Try
plugging the speakers into another source other
than your computer, eg. CD player, MP3 etc. and
see if the static problem follows the speakers.
Let me know what you find.
When replyling to this e-mail please include
original and all replies.
Promedia Dept.
Klipsch Group Inc.
I wrote back again:
I plugged the speakers directly into an iPod and the static is not there. But if plug into the Mac laptop right next to it, the radio interference is there. I closed iTunes and it is still there.
+INTERESTING that there is no radio static from the iPod, but my silver Powerbook G4 sends out the static the second it is plugged in.+
+*and now the speaker company wrote back again*....+
Since the static did not follow the speaker to another source at least you now know that the problem is not in the speakers. I would have the sound card in your Mac checked, something seems to be sending out a strong enough magnetic wave to overcome the shielding in the speakers.
Thank You,
When replyling to this e-mail please include original and all replies.
Promedia Dept.
Klipsch Group Inc.

That is unfortunate to put up with.
There might still be some simple cures yet to try.
The entire house wiring may be one cause picking up the source and is using your devices as final output.
1. I'd look for a power conditioned master brick to plug your PowerBook, and other devices.
USP back up power devices can also condition the power lines noise.
There are all types available as listed:
http://www.thecablepro.com/cableDetail.php?cID=120&cgID=1
Each of the 12 outlets is individually filtered and double filtered from every other outlet providing maximum component to component isolation.
http://www.crutchfield.com/ search 'surge'
2. The Cables: as mentioned where chokes are already in place on them. Most USB come with them.
3. The Speakers: Not sure, but they must be the self powered type as well from AC wall outlet. That brand is known for high quality.
Could foil the inside of cabinets “Faraday Cage” to reduce radio signals.
4. AC Outlets: Are they 3 prong grounded type?
Check your fuse box area to see if a ground cable
(roughly 4-6 gauge) is fastened to plumbing, and should be.
You can also pick up a ground fault checker that just plugs into outlet to verify correct outlet wiring. A HomeDepot tool about $6.
5. Lead from PowerBook to speakers:
If this lead is extra long leading to speakers, it too could gather radio.
If you have extra cat 5 laying around, convert the ends to make alternate lead. Each pair in the cable is color coded like Blue/Blue Wt. These pairs are twisted to shield out interference together with foil rapped covering. Or get shielded cable.
In the old days of Amps doing all the power to speakers, some people would have a pile of wire rolled up behind speaker, and it also made a perfect antenna.
Lamp cords: Make sure these cords are not mixed in with your devices. As in crossing over each other.
Dimmers: If you have lamps on line dimmers, they can go bad over time and cause interference.
Then back to circuit panel and cut off each circuit to isolate other sources.
Hopefully you solve it.

Odd clicking sound from the speakers

There's a clicking sound from the speakers all the time, even when I'm not playing music. My PowerBook is only 1 week old, and I haven't dropped it or anything. Does anyone know what this is? Whenever I plug in my earphones or speakers, the sound stops.

I wish I knew. Having the same problem. Comes and goes. Presently it's happening and it BUGS. In the past I've tried disabling some of my extra scripts and software (especially extra preference panes), but you're probably not in the same boat there, having such a new machine.
Here's hoping someone has a solution!

No sound from internal speakers, red glowing light in headphone jack

Okay. Have seen a few posts on this topic, but scattered symptoms, resolutions and ideas. Here is my timeline and plan:
My speakers went out spontaneously running 10.4.5 when I switched to battery power. We had a blackout here in L.A. and I was trying to play a DVD for the kids- no internal speaker sound.
* There is a red light glowing from the headphone jack. Never noticed this before, it seems to be a sign associated with the problem.
* External speakers/headphones work fine.
* Absolutely no sound from any app, alert or startup unless something (speakers/headphones)external is plugged in.
* if nothing is plugged in, the slider volume control in the menu bar is greyed out at full volume. Sound pref panel only shows "digital out" as choice, but is greyed out. "Built-in speakers" is absent as a choice.
What I've tried:
Select/deselect "look for spekaers" option in iTunes.
Update to 10.4.7
Update all listed apps to latest in Software update (iTunes, QT, etc.)
Trash sound prefs
Zap PRAM
Clean install from OEM DVD
Restore System from previous backup (although last backup may have been corrupt because I may not have noticed the problem for a while.)
That's about it.
My plan: Take PB to genius bar today and see what they say.
I'll report back what they say.

I have had the same syptoms as the above people in my PowerBook and was hating life without sound. i got to thinking about what earlier people had posted and concluded it could not be a software problem, that it had to be a hardware problem. I thought, maybe the headphone jack was just dirty, you know, plugging headphones/speakers in and out of the computer many times, it could have just gotten dirty. If I just clean it with rubbing alcohol, maybe that will do the trick. It did! I have been going two days and am doing great!
THE BOTTOMLINE!
Clean the headphone jack out! I used a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. (I have found that making my own q-tip with a toothpick and a small amount of cotton works better because it is thinner than the stick for a q-tip. Just twist the cotton to the edge of the toothpick.)
For all you people out there who try this and it works for you post for other people so they can be more confident that it does work.

No sound from TV when using HDMI from HP Envy Ultrabook4 despite downloading drivers

Problem: When using an HDMI cord from my HP Envy Touchsmart Ultrabook 4 (4-1105dx)to connect to my TV to view movies, the video appears on my TV screen, but there is NO sound from the TV. Instead the sound comes from my lap top.
Troubleshooting: I have looked under Sounds in the Control Panel, but the only choice listed is Speakers & Headphones IDT High Definition (which is the default) and does not allow sound from the TV when using the HDMI. I have also tried to download Driver and Audio Graphics, but wasn't sure which one & the ones which were downloaded have not solved the problem.
Can you assist me? Which is the correct Audio/Graphic Driver to download? Or is there another possible reason why I cannot hear sound from my TV when using the HDMI to connect to my lap top?

Hi,
Please try this first to enable Speakers in Playback devices as follows:
1. Right click speaker icon (bottom right hand corner)
2. Select Playback devices
3. Right click HDMI sound
4. Enable it
5. Click Apply/Ok
Regards.
BH
**Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

How do i use my apple express speakers as the sound from apple tv?

how do i use my apple express speakers as the sound from apple tv?

Welcome to the Apple Community.
You can't with the Apple TV 2 or 3, with the Apple TV 1, you can choose them from the Airtunes option in the settings menu.

No output sound from output port/analog audio: Need help

hello, I want to connect my analog audio equipment to my iMac. I have done this in the past with my old G3. I have connected the RCA cables to a 3.5 mm jack and put it into the audio input port, which was what worked on the G3. When I open the sound page for input & output, on Output I can see the volume bar thing moving in relation to the sounds from mic, turntable, etc: all the analog audio things. However, there is no actual output of sound through the iMac;s speakers or a headphone. The output page is pretty simple so I am real sure I have all the rigt things checked, unchecked etc. Any ideas? Thanks.

I had what sounds like a similar problem to jazzzrat. i had my macbook setup to a stereo and it worked for over a year. suddenly no sound came out of the stereo. in my case, it definitely was a software setup thing.
plug in your stereo jack into the audio out port. then go to system preferences-->sound-->output. on there you should see, under "device for sound output": Name=Headphones, port=built-in output. (if you see name=built in speakers, you plugged in the wrong plug). Now go down to the bottom of the window and UNcheck the "mute" box, and make sure the volume slider is midway or more.
For some reason, mac allows you to mute the "headphones" and "built in speakers" selectively. we have no idea how that box got checked, that remains a complete mystery. but when we eventually found -- and unchecked -- the box, our stereo output came back just fine.
i hope this works for you. good luck and have a good new year.

What do I need to get better sound from my Mac mini

The sound from my external speakers is very poor. I am hard of hearing(50% in one ear) and I find it very difficult to follow a conversation etc.
I am now on Yosemite, and the speakers have been used on all my previous pc's successfully. I cannot find a control for the built-in audio, does one exist?

What do you mean by poor sound?
The Sound is controlled by System Preferences>Sounds>Output

I've connected my ipad to my TV via hdmi but cannot get sound. Is there a way to get sound from the TV?

I'd like to get sound from the tv for my keynote presentations. Is there a way to do this via the hdmi connection? Or do I need to connect an 'audio-out? Thanks in advance for your help

the hdmi should transfer both sound and picture
http://store.apple.com/us/product/HFQL2VC/A/moshi-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapt er-4k?fnode=a8e08a2bb3c16bf3cd606aecff68b12c10fe327cd7b063c9bbc492e57158bbfa0778 d5b941eb2a8c1c5f2e25e51cf7b82e193c9a722651b3fc2694996f7b5281b8bf4338c46284247b76 ccce6907fa6caee062d974158ee4d0336fca558384426e7a6c6cbf3ee58c8f53f8db53c9ef91
Supports multi-channel digital audio output on compatible devices
make sure your ipad is not muted
make sure you volume is not all the way down
make sure audio play out of the ipad when not connected to the hdmi adapter
if you did and it don't work then it's likely an issue with the connetor
or the tv or it's settings

No sound from PowerBook G4

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