My PB G4 has stopped outputting sound via the speakers or headphones but it does output sound via Airport so I can play itunes via Airport & my hifi.
I have reset the pram & prom & all the volume settings are correct with nothing muted. Any ideas please.
Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11)
Normally I would expect a PRAM reset to have more affect on sound settings, but try resetting the PMU: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431
I tried resetting the PMU as well with no effect.
When you restart it, does it make the startup "bong" sound? After resetting PRAM, it should make that sound when you start up no matter how the speaker volume was set previously.
No bong ! You have me wondering but I think that my bong was linked to the volume control in the past. I am pretty sure that if the sound was muted the bong was as well. I couldn't reset the pram via the keyboard. I had to go into Command+Alt+o+f & type reset-nvram & then reset-all. The computer switched off which is the indication that the pram was reset - is there any other way of checking this ?
What's baffling me is why the speakers & headphones are down & yet bluetooth & wifi are OK ?
Yes, muting the speaker volume will make the startup sound muted as well. However, if you reset PRAM/NVRAM, the speaker volume should be set to default and you should hear the startup sound.
Just to make sure you had the keyboard keys and procedure correct for PRAM reset
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
I keep the keys down until I hear the "bong" for a THIRD time. That's how I make sure I did a PRAM reset. You may want to try waiting just a bit longer after pressing the power button, before pressing the keys. And don't have the keys already pressed when you press the power button.
is why the speakers & headphones are down & yet bluetooth & wifi are OK ?
That may be because for speakers & headphones, the sound is being produced by the PowerBook. For bluetooth & wifi, the sound data is produced by the PowerBook, but the actual sound is being produced elsewhere.
One problem is that without the bong it is hard to time the pressing of keys for the PRAM reset. Whilst holding down the keys I can here the DVD drive starting & then stopping & I have held the keys down for several cycles.
I did use the other method & the indications were that the PRAM was reset but I don't know for sure.
I have exactly the same problem and would like to add that everything works with a headset plugged in including the start up bong. Just no audio through speakers. Mine is a PB G4 model A1001, the Titanium DVI model.
This is from another post I made regarding the same symptom in Macbook Pros, but the cause and cure are the same for a PowerBook. The corrective action mentioned by another is to place a non-conductive item in the headphone jack and GENTLY move it in the horizontal plane:
Background, or "why this happens": the audio-out port on a modern Mac is digital and is held to high dimensional standards. Most headphones have an analog plug not made to such standards. The specific issue is the the "tip-to-stop shoulder" distance on many analog plugs is just a bit longer than on a digital one and jams the "mute" contact inside the port in the muted position. WZZZ's advice is exactly on target unless you are under warranty, which would still necessitate a trip to an Apple store for service.
The best action is prevention. When connecting headphones (or external speakers), put on the headphones and have an audio track running BEFORE you insert the plug. Insert the plug slowly, listening for sound on both channels and, when you hear it, STOP INSERTING.
Bottom line is you do NOT want to insert any random plug "to the hilt" until you know it is dimensioned to fit a digital port.
My MacBook Pro has the same jack. I have a pair of decent-quality, name-brand headphones and their plug is not to spec. This picture shows their plug in the port at a position that delivers proper sound and does not let the plug fall out:
Note that the shoulder is about 1/16-inch from contacting the computer case. It is secure in this position.
Every plug is different. I have a pair of El Cheapo external speakers I picked up for US$2 at a yard sale and their plug fits perfectly on my Macs with a digital audio port. Go figure!
Unfortunately this didn't work for me. Still soundless but not the end of the world as headphones/external speakers will work.
If you have not already, try resetting PRAM (as discussed in earlier reply to original poster)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
The sound volume setting is stored in PRAM.
Also the system keeps separate sound volume settings for the built-in speakers and headphones. So it's possible for the headphones volume to be set as desired, while the built-in speakers volume is muted for some reason. Be sure to disconnect the headphones, go to System Preferences Sound pane Output tab and confirm that "internal speakers" is selected for sound output, and set the Output volume to not Mute.
NOTE: Resetting PRAM should set the sound volume to their default settings.
Have tried everything possible. Resetting PRAM, resetting PSU, fiddling in the headphone jack with a toothpick to try and dislodge speaker muting contact. I even took the unit apart to see if I could see anything but the headphone jack is enclosed and I couldn't see if there was a mechanical problem. Unit up on eBay now with disclaimer about speakers. Thanks for your suggestion. Merrry Christmas & Happy New Year.
No Sound Powerbook G4
