Sound output reverting to internal speakers after restart

Question

Level 2

362 points

Sound output reverting to internal speakers after restart

After upgrading to 10.6.1, each time I restart (or log out and log in) the sound output reverts back to the internal speakers even though I've set it to USB SoundSticks. I've repaired permissions, reset PRAM, repaired the disk with DiskWarrior 4.2r909 - with no luck.

Mac Pro (Early 2008) 2.8Ghz, Mac OS X (10.6), 10 GB RAM, 23" ACD, lots of storage!

Posted on Sep 14, 2009 11:42 AM

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Answer 1

Johto

Level 1

9 points

Sep 16, 2009 2:20 PM in response to Badlydrawnboy

Same problem here. I have E-MU 0404 USB

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Answer 2

Sep 17, 2009 6:18 PM in response to Badlydrawnboy

When you get an answer, please let me know as the same is happening to me as well.

Thanks.

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Answer 3

Badlydrawnboy Author

Level 2

362 points

Sep 21, 2009 2:39 PM in response to Wayne V. Hall

I wish I did have an answer. No one has replied. I'm still having the same problem. Anyone have ideas?

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Answer 4

Sep 22, 2009 2:42 AM in response to Badlydrawnboy

I don't have a solution either, and the only reason I'm posting a "me too" is that hopefully Mac tech support will realise that this is an issue for many users, and come up with an answer.

Infuriatingly, my system preferences show my headphones for the sound input and output, but sound is actually coming out of the built-in speakers. The only application that seems to recognise sound input through the headphones is MacSpeech Dictate.

Initially following the upgrade to Snow Leopard, Sound preferences worked fine, but having changed them on one occasion to use the built-in speaker and mic, I now can't get back to my preferred settings.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be really grateful!

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Answer 5

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Sep 22, 2009 2:48 AM in response to Tomlin Leckie

Locate the app 'Audio MIDI Setup' in the Utilities folder I believe, run it and confirm settings there match what you expect, etc.

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Answer 6

Sep 22, 2009 3:10 AM in response to K T

Hi KT

Thanks for the suggestion -- I have run "audio MIDI setup", and it does show my USB headphones for sound input/output ...

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Answer 7

Badlydrawnboy Author

Level 2

362 points

Sep 22, 2009 7:02 AM in response to K T

KT,

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at in the Audio MIDI preference pane. I see that my Soundsticks are indeed listed. Clock source says "Default" and the drop-down menu is greyed out. In the Output tab Source is "Default" and that drop-down menu is also greyed out. In the menu of devices on the left there is a little Mac icon near the Soundsticks. I suspect that indicates that they are designated for the system sounds.

However, my problem is not that the Soundsticks don't show up in the Sound preference pane. It's that after each restart the system sounds revert to line-in instead of the Soundsticks.

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Answer 8

Sep 22, 2009 9:46 PM in response to Badlydrawnboy

same problem with with Snow Leopard on start-up even though I continue to set the Sound Sticks, or external ear plugs in the preference. On the next start, the system reverts to internal speakers. Apple needs to address this issue.

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Answer 9

Bluber

Level 1

0 points

Sep 23, 2009 11:20 PM in response to Badlydrawnboy

I'm also frustrated due to this.

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Answer 10

trumi

Level 1

18 points

Sep 23, 2009 11:45 PM in response to Badlydrawnboy

Hi,

I have a similar problem. I installed the iPhone SDK and every time I start up the sound output is set to the iPhoneSimulatorAudioDevice. I have to reset this to my internal mic every time I restart.

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Answer 11

GmanBB

Level 1

0 points

Sep 25, 2009 1:45 AM in response to Badlydrawnboy

I do have same problem on my Mac Pro. Anybody can tell how to report to apple?
Thanks,
Gman

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Answer 12

Sep 25, 2009 3:42 AM in response to Badlydrawnboy

I may have a solution but I can't guarantee it.

First, drag these 2 files to your desktop ...

(your boot up drive)/Library/Preferences/Audio/com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist
(your boot up drive)/Library/Preferences/Audio/com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist

Then delete the caches ...

(your boot up drive)/System//Library/Caches
(your boot up drive)/Library/Caches
(your boot up drive)/Users/(your user name)/Library/Caches

Now Reboot, Delete the Trash & Redo Audio 'Preferences'.

Good Luck.

Buzz

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Answer 13

K T

Level 7

23,865 points

Sep 25, 2009 3:44 AM in response to GmanBB

GmanBB wrote:
I do have same problem on my Mac Pro. Anybody can tell how to report to apple?

Feedback/bug report:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

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Answer 14

Badlydrawnboy Author

Level 2

362 points

Sep 25, 2009 6:46 AM in response to Buzz Lightgear

Has anyone tried Buzz's solution? I haven't had the chance yet, since I've been away from home.

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Answer 15

Sep 25, 2009 3:14 PM in response to Badlydrawnboy

Open up your hard drive and click on Library>Preferences and drag the folder named 'Audio' to the trash (you'll be asked to confirm your password when doing so). This allows Mac to create a new set of audio preferences, which will fix the issue. Solution above by Buzz is almost there, as the files suggested for being deleted are contained in the 'Audio' folder, but if you don't delete the folder itself nothing will change. No need to worry about deleting caches.

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