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User profile for user: rvcasrfr
rvcasrfr Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

DISABLING OPTICAL AUDIO OUT IN OS X

You know what, I've been a devout Apple fan for a VERY long time... but in the past 2 months my Macbook Pro has been falling apart and it is just out of warranty. It took me 2 days to install Leopard and get Boot Camp working... Whatever... this isn't a rant.. I need help with my digital audio out.

You would think Apple would have something as simple as a DEVICE MANAGER to disable particular hardware you're having problems with or don't want to use. But no, no such thing in OS X (are you kidding me)?

My digital audio out first was on all the time. I stuck a toothpick in there and fixed that... but guess what now? Whenever I plug in a pair of **** headphones, THE DIGITAL AUDIO COMES ON. NOTHING that I can do will fix it. I am constantly on business trips on trains, planes, etc.. and I NEED to be able to use my headphone jack.

This could be EASILY fixed by disabling the digital audio out, but of course Apple doesn't have an interface to easily disable/enable hardware.

I have about had it up to here with my Macbook Pro. I love the thing and it has been one of the greatest computers I ever had, but I'm about to give Apple the finger and go back to the PC world.

Someone please give me a fix for this because I am racking my brain, have a flight tomorrow, and as most of you can tell I am frustrated. <Edited by Moderator>

Thanks.

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Mar 12, 2008 10:39 PM

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17 replies
User profile for user: Floydius
Floydius
User level: Level 1
5 points

Mar 23, 2008 7:49 PM in response to rvcasrfr

I've been searching to a solution to this for some time, and so far the only plausible one is to have the logic board replaced. My macbook started having the "optical audio on all the time" thing (red light shining out of audio port) just after the warranty was out. Tried the toothpick thing, but no dice. So the only way I can use audio is either a) plug in headphones or b) running linux on the thing where the optical audio isn't recognized. And, as you say, having a driver disable feature for the optical audio would be VERY helpful.
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User profile for user: ATVFrenzy
ATVFrenzy
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jun 2, 2008 1:32 PM in response to chethan

I'm having the same problem, intermittently (which is even more annoying, if possible).

All I want is a checkbox under System Preferences --> Sound that says "Ignore the poorly designed switch in the headphone port?". That isn't so much to ask, is it?

I'd gladly settle for a command from the command line, or editing a configuration file somewhere. That is much easier than a soldering iron, which is the option I'm about down to.
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User profile for user: MikeinAustin
MikeinAustin
User level: Level 1
5 points

Jul 30, 2008 9:56 PM in response to ATVFrenzy

Same problem, no soloution other than using an outboard Firewire Audio I/O box like the M Audio or Berihnger units. Cumbersome and a power drain if you're on battery, and you can also sometimes hear a delay, but it works.

Why is there A) no way to just replace the faulty jack without doing the entire logic board and B) no software solution to just disable the jack so at least the internal speakers will work.

Way to go, Apple.
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User profile for user: PauldeHs
PauldeHs
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jul 31, 2008 1:00 AM in response to rvcasrfr

I'm having the same problem: when I first start up my MacBook, audio works fine. After using headphones or external speaker via the audio-out jack, the optical audio comes on and my internal speakers are disabled. Sometimes putting the jack back in and pulling it out in a different way gets the internal speakers back to work, but sometimes it doesn't.

I never ever use the optical audio, so disabling it would be a perfect solution for me. I don't realy want to take it in for service, because I work with it every day...

Apple, please come up with a good solution for this issue...

Thanks!
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User profile for user: averysmallcreature
averysmallcreature
User level: Level 1
0 points

Sep 17, 2008 7:58 AM in response to PauldeHs

Same here. Didn't start happening until the warranty was up.

Pretty nice trick, eh?

Shut down. Unplugged headphones. Booted up. Same thing: red optical light on.

Light disappears after a while but will light up again when I attempt to increase/decrease volume.

Internal speakers no longer work.

Ummm... ok. So after I posted this, they're working again. I didn't do anything.

Message was edited by: averysmallcreature
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User profile for user: smonsma
smonsma
User level: Level 1
0 points

Oct 10, 2008 7:45 AM in response to Mikey Holinsky

I have the same issue in a Powerbook G4, but no amount of inserting/removing headphones, q-tips, toothpicks, metal rods, etc has had any effect on the stuck switch. I'm going to try a blast of compressed air to see if that will budge it, but don't hold out a lot of hope for that. How about asking the author of Hardware Monitor to dig deeper into the code for disabling it in software?
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User profile for user: nonotatall
nonotatall
User level: Level 1
0 points

Dec 1, 2008 11:46 AM in response to rvcasrfr

I also have the problem as described by the original poster, I've tried toothpicks, headphone jacks and I even went and bought an optical cable but no amount of plugging/unplugging or poking around solves the problem.

The internal speakers work fine upon startup then the red light comes on and the speakers cease to work. Headphones or external speakers work fine.

There MUST be a way to disable the digital out using a software approach as the fact that the speakers work upon startup and the headphones work indicates that it is not a just a mechanical issue.

Aside from this I'm actually pretty happy with the macbook, unlike the original person, I'd just like to solve this infuriating little problem.

I'm considering cracking the case open to see if I can fiddle with the jack/switch from that side, anybody any experience with that?
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User profile for user: Pashtet
Pashtet
User level: Level 1
4 points

Dec 3, 2008 1:36 PM in response to rvcasrfr

Oh, I really don't know what to do... Paperclip, match, toothpick - nothing worked for me!
I thought everything made by Apple is perfect, but such stupid things make me really frustrated.
So, Apple, you should save your reputation by enabling an option to disable optical out in System Prefs. Considering this should be fixed in 10.5.6 update. I know, it's not so hard work for you, Apple! Just do it!
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User profile for user: davehorn87
davehorn87
User level: Level 1
0 points

Mar 6, 2009 7:55 PM in response to rvcasrfr

I just started having this problem about two days ago: Speakers work on start up, but digital audio is all I get when OS X starts up. Headphones will work, but no internal speakers. I took it to the apple store and they told me it could only be fixed by replacing the logic board. After researching this for a few hours I heard of someone who was able to disable the digital audio by jiggling an audio plug around the inside of the jack. As strange as it sounds, it worked for me.

Specifically what I did was insert the plug partially and moved it up and down vertically against the two contact points inside (if anyone knows the technical name for these and can clarify that would be great!). After about three seconds or so the red light went away and my internal speakers began to respond again. Hope this helps!
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DISABLING OPTICAL AUDIO OUT IN OS X

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