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I have read similar problems many times previously, but never found the solution posted anywhere.
starting position
The day before I had problems with my working Windows 10 1903 installation, namely explorer was crashing a lot, so I decided to do a fresh install after backing up my data. Just so you all know, have a look at my current specs:
- Intel i7 2600k
- Gigabyte GA-Z68X-D3-B3 with Bios U1F, note the onboard Realtek ALC889 and see the manual on the same page for clarification
- Radeon graphics card (I don't think the exact model is of importance)
- Windows 10 Pro 1903 (18362.356)
I'm using the front audio connector of my case, a Coolermaster HAF 932, which is connected via the (yellow) HD Audio header to the F_AUDIO socket on the mb.
Into the green front audio jack I plug a pair of v-moda crossfade m100, with an impedance of 32Ω (headphone specifications).
Audio is working perfectly at the time I abandon the old installation, the Windows volume slider is sitting around 50 for a pleasant experience.
Situation after first reinstall with Win 10 1903
I installed only the two manufacturer recommended drivers for Win10x64 from 1, then AMD Radeon adrenaline 2019. Windows Update treated me to a Realtek driver at some time, but:
Audio is deafening loud, I have to reduce the Windows audio volume slider to 2 for it to be bearable and every finer control over it is lost, since at 0 it's muted, of course.
I did not change anything about the hardware.
Situation after second reinstall with Win 10 1803
Since my previous system was quite old, I ponder the possibility I had some older driver, which made it through the years. So I installed W10-1803, yet experienced the same problem.
Situation after third reinstall with Win 10 1507
Yep, you guessed it, I wouldnÄt be asking if it had worked any better.
Situation after fourth reinstall using Win 8.1
Still the same.
At this point I returned to solely trying with Win 10 1903:
I read about a similar problem , especially about a bad realtek driver and installed version 6.0.1.8383, still not a change.
What's driving me mad now, is the fact that it actually worked in the original setup, hence I exclude a broken board, or a bad hardware-peripheral combination. Anyway, onward.
CMOS clear
Perhaps anywhere on the CMOS values are stored between installs? I cleared the CMOS and set it up again correctly, no way.
Ubuntu
Perhaps, I ponder, Ubuntu handles things differently? A live version from a USB stick also has way too loud audio, unless I dial the Sounds slider all the way down.
What now?
In the device manager, I spot two devices belonging to the onboard sound. One is a High Definition Audio-Controller, which exposes a High Definition Audio-Device, according to the Windows Update. The latter becomes Realtek High Definition Audio, once I install any suitable Realtek driver. Most of them also install the RealtekHD Audio-Manager into the system tray.
In all the previous cases did neither driver produce an acceptable output volume in the headphones.
There must be some way to get this working again to comfortably control the volume at sensible levels and there certainly is something I am missing. What I do not want is:
- Adding external amplifiers or resistors
- Using a third party software equilizer to lower the volume
- Buying a dedicated soundcard
I am open for all other suggestions, reinstalls, etc. and eagerly awaiting your advice.
marc
Posted 2019-09-12T00:55:22.027
Reputation: 1