Introduction
The internal and external speakers on desktop and laptop computers are great for listening to music and watching movies. An optical disc drive is pretty much standard on many modern PCs, playing DVD and Blu-ray discs. Many DVD movies have menu options that help watchers enhance the sound quality, such as selecting surround sound or Dolby digital sound. These options help you improve the sounds when you are watching a movie on a set top DVD player on a standard or high definition television set.
Listening to sounds on a computer, however, often requires that users make additional modifications that help to improve the sound. Unfortunately, the average user may still be confused and perplexed on how to fix lackluster sound quality, which is often integrated with the operating system system on the computer, such as Microsoft Windows. Instead, you can make the process of bettering sound go much smoother using a utility that is available in the Windows 7 operating system.
Step 1
Double-check your cords and cable that relate to the sound production on your computer. For example, desktop computers commonly have at least two external speakers that connect to the system via USB or the green 3.5 mm Sound Output port. Make sure the connectors are not loose. It is possible to still hear sounds on the computer, even if the connector is not secure, but making sure it is not loose eliminates that as the cause of poor sound quality.
Step 2
Move your mouse to the Start button in the bottom left hand corner of the desktop. Click on this button to reveal the Start menu, which is how you will access the sound utility that will help you improve the quality of audio on your computer.
Step 3
Input the search term "Troubleshooter" in the box at the bottom of the Start menu of your Windows 7 computer. Click the icon that bears the same name after it appears at the top of the Start menu. This will give you access to the sound utility.
Step 4
Select "Troubleshoot Audio Playback" which is in the Hardware and Sound section. Pause while the Windows operating system on your computer tries to find solutions for your sound issues.
Step 5
Read the instructions presented on the screen by the Windows 7 operating system. Follow the instructions that will help you improve the sound.
Tips and Comments
The sound problem on your computer could be caused by an audio or video file that was originally produced and encoded with low quality.
Sources and Citations
- "Adjust the sound level on your computer." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. five Apr. 2012. <http://Windows.microsoft.com/en-U.S./Windows7/Adjust-the-sound-level-on-your-computer>.
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- " Sound cards: frequently asked questions." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. five Apr. 2012. <http://Windows.microsoft.com/en-U.S./Windows7/Sound-cards-frequently-asked-questions>.
- " Tips for fixing common sound problems." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. five Apr. 2012. <http://Windows.microsoft.com/en-U.S./Windows7/Tips-for-fixing-common-sound-problems>.
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- " Why can't my computer play sound after installing a Windows service pack?." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. five Apr. 2012. <http://Windows.microsoft.com/en-U.S./Windows-vista/Why-cant-my-computer-play-sound-after-installing-a-Windows-service-pack>.
- "Microsoft Windows XP.Change the system sound volume." Microsoft Corporation. N.p., n.d. Web. five Apr. 2012. <http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/soundscpl_change_system_volume.mspx>.
- "Microsoft Windows XP.Common tasks: Sounds and Audio Devices." Microsoft Corporation. N.p., n.d. Web. five Apr. 2012. <http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/soundscpl_common_tasks.mspx>.
- "Microsoft Windows XP.Using Volume Control." Microsoft Corporation. N.p., n.d. Web. five Apr. 2012. <http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/app_vol_ctrl.mspx>.
- Sweet, Also,y. " Turn back time on your PC: Undo system changes with System Restore." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. five Apr. 2012. <http://Windows.microsoft.com/en-U.S./Windows-vista/Turn-back-time-on-your-PC-Undo-system-changes-with-System-Restore>.