VOGONS


Is this fixable?

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First post, by AdamP

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Hi,

A few years back, I decided to install a Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold (CT4390) in my Compaq Deskpro EP 6400/10 to replace the ESS 1869 Audiodrive. However, me being somewhat less experienced back then, I tried to force (stupid thing to do, I know) one of the cables into the black CD connector (it later turned out to be what I believe is the PC Speaker cable 😦). The connector became slightly "detached" from the card. I tried connecting it to a CD drive once and it didn't work, while the white connector worked fine. I have since replaced it with another AWE64 Gold (CT4540) and the black CD connector works fine.

I also may have damaged the RCA outs by plugging ordinary TRS speakers into them.

I was just curious as to whether my original card is fixable.

P1010138.jpg

Thanks

Reply 1 of 7, by batracio

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The plastic connector does nothing. I've completely detached it several times. It's the metallic pins what really matters. Did you break any of them?

Reply 2 of 7, by sklawz

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lo

to be honest i can't see what's wrong with
regard to that black plastic socket.
normally those things can just be pulled
off and the pins bent back into place then
reattached.

if your cable didn't work before then it's
worth investigating what type of cable
and socket you have.

for example refer to this page:
http://www.aesystems.com/cdrom_audio_connectors.html

bye

Reply 3 of 7, by AdamP

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Thanks

I think I must have broken something, otherwise it wouldn't be not working. I used the same cable and it worked on the CT4540, so it's not the cable. I tried pushing the black plastic thing back into place, but it won't go back into place (fully adjacent to the card). It always bends slightly back.

Reply 4 of 7, by Ace

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You might have damaged the solder on the underside of the board. Check if the solder joints on the CD audio input are cracked.

Creator of The Many Sounds of:, a collection of various DOS games played using different sound cards.

Reply 5 of 7, by Malik

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You can also fix the smaller cd cable header, if you have one, to the white cd-in connector.

You can also completely remove the black bracket (pull it upwards). I once broke the bracket while installing a midi daughter card to a SB16 card. I just put back the cd-in connector to the exposed pins.

But since the cd-audio in your case is not working, the pin might have broken?

And finally that card needs dusting. 😁

5476332566_7480a12517_t.jpgSB Dos Drivers

Reply 6 of 7, by AdamP

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Thanks

Everything on the back of the card looks okay. I can't see anything wrong with the pins other than that they're not adjacent to the card.

I actually tried to force it with such force that the black connector stuck right out, only later did I manage to push it back up.

And what's the difference between the white and black CD connectors? I know the white one is older and was replaced by the black one. Does the black one give better quality?

Reply 7 of 7, by RogueTrip2012

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The black and white are the same input going to the same area. I have a cable that supports either type (black or white) and works using either one.

Probably going to say you may have broken the solder or land area's of the black connector. No big deal as you can still use the white one.

The RCA connectors are Pre-outs (non-amplified) audio. If you hooked up just speakers with no amp (also no short in the speakers themselves) on them then you are probably fine. Sounds like the card is working now. If you damaged it you would have no sound or jarbled sound.

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