Expert: Brian Benosky - 11/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brian!

What is the best way to update drivers?I like the idea of a program that updates everything but they all cost around $30.00 and may not update more than one machine.Fishing through "Device Manager" may be the way to go.....What do you think?


Secondly.....when playing DVD's.....the sound is distorted. I have Googled  this problem to no avail. I have checked DVD Drive and speakers.I messed with IDE secondary controllers etc. Win XP  on Dell Dimension 3000.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

ANSWER: Hi Jaye

And a very Happy Thanksgiving to you!  I have tried several Driver Update programs and have found them to be not worth the money.  The best way to update drivers is by checking your computer manufacturers' website.  Usually they will have a Support and Downloads section.  You enter your model number and a list of downloads for your machine will come up.  For Dell, it's easiest just to enter your Service Tag, which is a six digit combination of numerals and letters found on the rear or side of your machine.  You can cross check the driver version you are downloading against the version listed in the device manager, just to be sure it's a newer version.  It's really a simple process and does not take much time to do.  Also, I have found that Windows Updates contain important driver updates as well.  Just check for Optional Updates when you run it.
The distortion problem could come from a number of sources, but you say it only happens when playing a DVD.  The speakers sound fine when playing sound from the Internet?  Then the issue is likely a hardware one involving the drive itself, or the connection to the motherboard.  If you can open the machine, check the single small wire connecting the drive to the motherboard.  Check out step 33 for pictures below:
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Computer
If the wire is connected tightly to the DVD and the motherboard, then the drive could be the problem.  You could try a DVD cleaning disk such as:
http://www.amazon.com/ALLSOP-27193-DVD-Carbon-Edge/dp/B00007E7BS
You could also try a new drive for not much more:
http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-GH22NP20-SecurDisc-Internal/dp/B001TOD5CQ/r
Let me know if you need more help with this.  And happy turkey!

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Regarding Sound Distortion.......There is no wire connecting DVD and motherboard on the Dimension 3000 to my knowledge. I swapped DVD drives from another computer....they work fine in the other computer.Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Jaye

You are correct, my apologies.  I checked the 3000 service manual and found no audio cable listed.  Most IDE legacy drives have an audio connector to the motherboard, but this Dell did not.  Did you try the other computer's DVD drive in the Dell?  If the distortion still occurs, then the IDE cable or the motherboard could be at fault.  If the other drive sounds fine in the Dell, then I would replace the old drive.  Let me know.

Brian   

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I found the answer by doing a Google Search.

Hit F2 during startup

Go to Drive Configuration

Secondary Slave Drive

Drive type- set to auto


Not sure why but this corrected my distorted audio problem.

THANK YOU for helping me with my problems or questions!

Answer
Hi Jaye

Thanks for the information in case I ever run into this problem again!  I could venture to guess how the BIOS settings got changed to cause the distortion...the CMOS was possibly reset if you changed the battery.  But I'm glad you got it sorted out and fixed!

Brian