Laptop/Computer Tower Option

Hey all,

I've recently lost the audio to my laptop and discovered that this was a hardware problem. I understand that it would be very expensive to fix the speakers, since it's integrated with all the other hardware inside. Other than the sound, the computer seems to be working fine. I'm wondering if its possible to buy a cheaper computer tower and link it to my laptop. The OS and audio devices would be run from the tower, and my laptop would be used strictly for typing and visual output, like a makeshift desktop. If this option is possible, can anyone tell me what I need to make this happen? Your help would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

Joker,

A more reasonable solution would be to by a pair of inexpensive powered speakers and plug them into the laptop spkr jack. You would be surprised at the sound!

This makes more sense to me than linking to a separate PC to gain sound production.

 

Yes, it would be a waste to hook a separate computer up to your laptop just for sound, just hook up speakers to it.

But if you really want to do it, I'm sure it's possible.

 

I've tried speakers and even headphones a while ago, but still nothing. The problem isnt really the computer's built in speakers, but something else internally. If not the linkage, does anyone have any other cost-efficient alternatives?

 

Maybe something like Creative's Soundblaster Audigy2 NX will work. It runs about $80-$100 , depending on where you buy it. I personally like New Egg and have purchased many items from them.

It's not the cheapest answer, though.

 

JoKeR.

Since you played that trick on us about the speakers...and it really isn't the speakers...I have to ask, HOW did you "DISCOVER" that this is a Hardware Problem? Sorry but I have to ask...you know, once bitten twice shy!

 

Sorry about the confusion

anyways, computer experts have already taken a look at it. I told them that the computer was fine until one day, when I was turning on the computer, i heard the windows opening tune just fizzling and then dying. They thought it was strange, since it didn't say anything was wrong with the audio components on the device manager. Since then, I've already checked the drivers, done a system restore and a recovery, but still nothing. A lot of people have agreed that there's something definitely wrong with some of the hardware, but first, what do you guys think?

 

There's something definitely wrong with some of the hardware

 

Shadowcat:
The soundblaster you posted on that link looks interesting, does it work like an external sound card?

 

That's my impression from reading Creative's description of it. I don't use it myself but see it offered as an "extra" for gaming laptops since laptops tend to have tinny sounds due to its size.

Here's a few reviews for you:

http://www.overclockers.com/articles1011/index02.asp
http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/20031114/index.html