Audio on the lab machines

All of the lab machines should be able to play sound, but some are better than others (have speakers). If you don’t hear anything when you know a video has sound, here are a few things to check.

• use the pavucontrol program to check or change your configuration and output device
• make sure the various volume controls are all good (not too low or muted): browser, application, speaker (if there is one)

Unfortunately, not all machines are the same, so I can’t tell you exactly how the configuration (using pavucontrol) should be to get sound to work. Below are some suggestions, depending on which lab machine you are using.

C16/bookstore lab machines

These are the all-in-one HP Z1 workstations. Here’s what the “Configuration” and “Output Devices” tabs should be (or at least were, when I got the sound to work).

Configuration:

• HDA NVidia: Off
• Built-in Audio: Analog Stereo Duplex

Output Devices:

• Built-in Audio Analog Stereo: Speakers

zareason lab machines (in 240)

These are the “under-the-desk” workstations in 240 (in the middle of the lab). Here’s what the “Configuration” and “Output Devices” tabs should be (or at least were, when I got the sound to work).

Configuration:

• GP106 High Definition Audio Controller: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output
• Family 17h HD Audio Controller: Off

Output Devices:

• GP106 High Definition Audio Controller Digital Stereo (HDMI 2): HDMI/DisplayPort 2

HP minis with no speaker (in 240 and 238)

These are the “mini” workstations that attach to the back of the monitors. And these do not have a speaker bar attached. There are some in 240 and some in 238.

Configuration:

• GP107GL High Definition Audio Controller: Off
• Built-in Audio: Analog Stereo Duplex

Output Devices:

• Built-in Audio Analog Stereo: Speakers

HP minis WITH speaker (in 256)

These are also the “mini” workstations that attach to the back of the monitors, but these do have a speaker bar. Most of these are in 256.

And these are somewhat picky. I’ve had the config and output set as shown below, and no sound. Then I unplug and re-plug the speaker bar usb port and headphones port, and the sound magically starts! Also make sure the speaker bar is turned on…

Configuration:

• HDA NVidia: Off
• Built-in Audio: Analog Stereo Duplex

Output Devices:

• Built-in Audio Analog Stereo: Headphones

thinkmates (in 238)

These are also the “tower” workstations in 238, like egg and horseradish.

Configuration:

• GM200 High Definition Audio: Digital Stereo (HDMI 2) Output
• Built-in Audio: Off

Output Devices:

• GM200 High Definition Audio: HDMI/DisplayPort 2

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