eMac G4 on-board audio muted !! please help

love2mac · 01-06-2005, 05:28 AM

Hi, something strage happen today. We booted up our G4 1.25 GHz 512MB 80GB HD 17" eMAC running OS 10.3.7 and the audio went DEAD!! We tried everything in our arsenal - which is not much - hard reboot, system preference/sound check, disk utility/permission repair/reboot, but nothing has worked.

Under the system preference/sound menu/sound effects/ menu, I notice that the Play alerts and sound effects through: Built in Audio: Internal Speakers is GREYED and I cant change the menu. It is as if, there is no sound server/device running. I tried using a pair of headphones and there is no audio. The system chime on booting also missing. In short the on-board audio has been permanently muted!!

What can caused such a thing to happen? More importantly, how do we fix it?

Many thanks for any pointers, tips and/or suggestion. We have been very happy with the eMac since we switched over April '04. Never had any serious problem till now!

trevor · 01-06-2005, 10:00 AM

Zap the PRAM, reset Open Firmware: (directions)

Trevor

love2mac · 01-07-2005, 10:10 PM

There is progress.

I zapped the PRAM, reset the Open Firmware, repaired permissions and did a file system check. All in the order of the list provided by Trevor - many thanks Trevor

Okay, the sound on the stereo headphones have returned!! But the menu in Sound Pref where you can choose the output device is still dimmed and I dont have sound thru the speakers!!

Should I re-run the above in a diff order?

trevor · 01-07-2005, 11:23 PM

You're welcome!

If you create a brand new administrator user on the same computer, does the new user also have the output device dimmed in the Sound pref pane?

Trevor

love2mac · 01-08-2005, 01:06 AM

Trevor,
Currently I have 3 other users on the same machine. All the a/cs have the same problem. Sound on headphones but not thru the speakers. So, how do I create a new admin a/c on the same machine? Do I need to test this out? BTW, when I am zapping the PRAM should I hear the chimes via the headphones?

Many thanks.

trevor · 01-08-2005, 10:21 AM

To create a new admin user, launch System Preferences > Accounts > click the + in the lower left corner > enter account info, making sure to click the box marked "Allow user to administer this computer" under the Security tab. (assumes 10.3.x)

Yes, you should hear the startup bon in headphones plugged in to a headphone jack on the computer when zapping the PRAM. If the headphones are plugged in to a device which is connected via USB, I believe that you won't hear the startup bong, although I've not verified that.

Trevor

love2mac · 01-08-2005, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love2mac


	Trevor, Currently I have 3 other users on the same machine. All the a/cs have the same problem. Sound on headphones but not thru the speakers. So, how do I create a new admin a/c on the same machine? Do I need to test this out? BTW, when I am zapping the PRAM should I hear the chimes via the headphones? Many thanks.

More updates, I tried zapping the PRAM again with my headphones on, and yes I can hear the chimes and I actually held the keys until the 4th chime before letting go!! In any case, it did not solve the problem. Still searching for the lost sound to the speakers............

love2mac · 01-08-2005, 10:33 AM

Trevor,

Okay, will give it a try and report back tomorrow. Many thanks.

love2mac · 01-08-2005, 10:09 PM

I have created the new account. Unfortunately, the problem is still there, as I expected. Does this mean, I need to call my local Apple store? I hate to have to transport the eMAC back to the store.....such a hassle!! Is there anything else I can try???

trevor · 01-08-2005, 10:21 PM

If you have the Hardware Test CD, boot to that and run it.

Other than that, the next step would be to boot to an OS X Install CD, select "Custom Install", select "Archive and Install", making sure to check the box marked "preserve user and settings". This will replace your OS X system, but will preserve your users and installed applications.

Trevor

love2mac · 01-09-2005, 07:01 PM

Trevor,

My eMac did not come with a hardware test CD!, can I download it from somewhere and burn it or should I just get a copy from the local Apple store? How do I boot from the superdrive?

Many thanks.

w_e_coyote12 · 10-13-2005, 03:01 PM

Just wondering if you ever resolved the problem. I am experieincing the same problem on a emac, 700 mhz, OSX 2.2.8.
I followed the thread and tried the same things that were in the post (zaping the pram, etc), and got the exact same result as you posted, I can get audio on headphones, but not internal, or even external speakers.
any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
w_e_coyote12

01-06-2005, 05:28 AM	#1
love2mac Prospect Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MALAYSIA Posts: 7	eMac G4 on-board audio muted !! please help Hi, something strage happen today. We booted up our G4 1.25 GHz 512MB 80GB HD 17" eMAC running OS 10.3.7 and the audio went DEAD!! We tried everything in our arsenal - which is not much - hard reboot, system preference/sound check, disk utility/permission repair/reboot, but nothing has worked. Under the system preference/sound menu/sound effects/ menu, I notice that the Play alerts and sound effects through: Built in Audio: Internal Speakers is GREYED and I cant change the menu. It is as if, there is no sound server/device running. I tried using a pair of headphones and there is no audio. The system chime on booting also missing. In short the on-board audio has been permanently muted!! What can caused such a thing to happen? More importantly, how do we fix it? Many thanks for any pointers, tips and/or suggestion. We have been very happy with the eMac since we switched over April '04. Never had any serious problem till now!

01-06-2005, 10:00 AM	#2
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	Zap the PRAM, reset Open Firmware: (directions) Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

01-07-2005, 11:23 PM	#4
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	You're welcome! If you create a brand new administrator user on the same computer, does the new user also have the output device dimmed in the Sound pref pane? Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

01-08-2005, 01:06 AM	#5
love2mac Prospect Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MALAYSIA Posts: 7	Trevor, Currently I have 3 other users on the same machine. All the a/cs have the same problem. Sound on headphones but not thru the speakers. So, how do I create a new admin a/c on the same machine? Do I need to test this out? BTW, when I am zapping the PRAM should I hear the chimes via the headphones? Many thanks. Last edited by love2mac; 01-08-2005 at 01:10 AM.

01-08-2005, 10:21 AM	#6
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	To create a new admin user, launch System Preferences > Accounts > click the + in the lower left corner > enter account info, making sure to click the box marked "Allow user to administer this computer" under the Security tab. (assumes 10.3.x) Yes, you should hear the startup bon in headphones plugged in to a headphone jack on the computer when zapping the PRAM. If the headphones are plugged in to a device which is connected via USB, I believe that you won't hear the startup bong, although I've not verified that. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

01-07-2005, 10:10 PM	#3
love2mac Prospect Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MALAYSIA Posts: 7	There is progress. I zapped the PRAM, reset the Open Firmware, repaired permissions and did a file system check. All in the order of the list provided by Trevor - many thanks Trevor Okay, the sound on the stereo headphones have returned!! But the menu in Sound Pref where you can choose the output device is still dimmed and I dont have sound thru the speakers!! Should I re-run the above in a diff order?

01-08-2005, 10:33 AM	#8
love2mac Prospect Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MALAYSIA Posts: 7	Trevor, Okay, will give it a try and report back tomorrow. Many thanks.

01-08-2005, 10:09 PM	#9
love2mac Prospect Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MALAYSIA Posts: 7	I have created the new account. Unfortunately, the problem is still there, as I expected. Does this mean, I need to call my local Apple store? I hate to have to transport the eMAC back to the store.....such a hassle!! Is there anything else I can try??? __________________ Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

01-08-2005, 10:21 PM	#10
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	If you have the Hardware Test CD, boot to that and run it. Other than that, the next step would be to boot to an OS X Install CD, select "Custom Install", select "Archive and Install", making sure to check the box marked "preserve user and settings". This will replace your OS X system, but will preserve your users and installed applications. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

01-09-2005, 07:01 PM	#11
love2mac Prospect Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MALAYSIA Posts: 7	Trevor, My eMac did not come with a hardware test CD!, can I download it from somewhere and burn it or should I just get a copy from the local Apple store? How do I boot from the superdrive? Many thanks. __________________ Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

10-13-2005, 03:01 PM	#12
w_e_coyote12 Prospect Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5	emac audio problems Just wondering if you ever resolved the problem. I am experieincing the same problem on a emac, 700 mhz, OSX 2.2.8. I followed the thread and tried the same things that were in the post (zaping the pram, etc), and got the exact same result as you posted, I can get audio on headphones, but not internal, or even external speakers. any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! w_e_coyote12