Dell Inspiron N5110 sound problem

[dell808]

Hi i just recently bought the Insprion N5110 and i have been getting the problem where the sound keeps breaking when im listening to music or videos. The dell support team installed new drivers and what not for me but it still hasn't helped. Its not just on the speakers but the problem happens while using headphones too. I was also checking the task manager and when the problem happens the cpu usage jumps from 8% to around 50% Can anyone please help?

Specs:
i7 intel core
nvidia geforce GT 525M
8GB ram

[Joey]

Hello, thanks for posting your specs. You have a super fast laptop most people would be jealous of, hehe.

My 1st question, when does the sound break? Are you on YouTube, using iTunes, maybe installed a custom player? It breaks during all 3 situations?

To help me diagnose this better please try listening to music using both of these methods…

#1 – Go on pandora.com and listen to any song/station for a minute or 2

#2 – Download and Install the “Zip package” of the VLC Media Player. The Zip package doesn’t really install anything on your laptop so it is extremely easy to cleaner delete when you are done using it.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html
Open the VLC music player. Play any song you have on your Dell, preferably something you already downloaded.

#3 – I need feedback. Does the exact thing happen on Pandora.com AND while listening to music using the VLC Media Player? Or maybe it only happens

[dell808]

Hello, thanks for posting your specs. You have a super fast laptop most people would be jealous of, hehe.

My 1st question, when does the sound break? Are you on YouTube, using iTunes, maybe installed a custom player? It breaks during all 3 situations?

To help me diagnose this better please try listening to music using both of these methods…

#1 – Go on pandora.com and listen to any song/station for a minute or 2

#2 – Download and Install the “Zip package” of the VLC Media Player. The Zip package doesn’t really install anything on your laptop so it is extremely easy to cleaner delete when you are done using it.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html
Open the VLC music player. Play any song you have on your Dell, preferably something you already downloaded.

#3 – I need feedback. Does the exact thing happen on Pandora.com AND while listening to music using the VLC Media Player? Or maybe it only happens

yes it does break on everything like youtube, pandora, vlc, windows media player. I can't say how often for sure it breaks, sometimes it will break alot during a song, and sometimes only once, the audio breaking will last about 1-2 seconds before going back to normal but it is very irritating.

[Joey]

If it breaks when you are listening to online streaming music like Pandora and it also breaks while using VLC playing a song stored on your laptop then there is a problem with the Audio Driver or Audio.Sound Card hardware. You said you get the same results when listening with headphones so we can rule out bad speakers.

The Dell support team already helped you install the newest drivers listed on the website so that crosses that possible fix out. There are 2 other fixes. #1, install one of the older audio drivers.

I read on a dell site that the new drivers for your model may cause problems. A user by the name of “dampio” posted older Dell Inspiron n5110 drivers within this thread here: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19404132.aspx?PageIndex=3

Download the older audio/sound card drivers and install them. After the installation restart your PC and test out Pandora and VLC again.

#2 if the above fix does not work then since you have a new laptop it should be fully under warranty. I strongly suggest calling up Dell and asking them to fix your laptop. You will send your laptop back, if they will send you a new one. The other possibility is if you bought the special warranty an authorized Dell guy that lives near you will stop by your house to check out the problem (he will not charge you since you would have already paid ahead of time with the upgraded warranty service).

[dell808]

thanks for the help!