Surround sound system help?

Question

I have a 5.1 surround sound system hooked up to my computer. Everything is hooked up and working but I'm having trouble with my computer. Most of the time everything works fine but sometimes it stops playing out of some of the speakers. Also, there is a test I can do and it plays sound out of each speaker one by one and shows me which one it's playing out of. Some speakers don't show up on the test but they work when I play music. What's wrong?

I will choose best answer.

Answer 1

I have a STRONG feeling that Scott is right. Follow his route first. But, I am wondering if it could also be some kind of a software problem in the computer or with some of the movies that you are trying to watch. Try posting this question over in computers and see what suggestions come up.

Answer 2

How is it hooked up?

If it's hooked up with one regular phone jack to two red and white RCA plugs, then you're not getting true surround sound.  You're sending a stereo signal to the system and it is mixing it down into 5.1 channels.  That would be why the speaker test isn't working, the computer is unable to send signals to each individual channel.

In order to get true surround you need to be hooked up via either analog surround (the three cables that go into your comp and then split into numerous outputs), Digital Optical S/PDIF or Digital Coaxial S/PDIF.  If the outputs from your motherboard don't support these methods you will need to get a sound card.

Answer 3

Just talking out of my A, but maybe your computer doesn't recognize 5.1 surround.  Aren't most computers configured for 2.1 stereo?

Another guess is just specific movies or songs not configured to 5.1.  I mean some of the speakers don't quit mid movie or song do they?  Maybe it's just how the originals are made.

Answer 4

My computer does that sometimes too! What i did was i called the maker of my computer and they completely guided me through it! You should call it was a lot of help!