Re Sony VAIO F12 (new unit): Audio is barely audible using onboard and external speakers, even though volume bar indicates volume is at highest level. Any way to increase audio volume? Thanks.

No the pre-amp just gives you enough volume to hear it, the main amp takes it higher. However since the sound is normal on earphones. Then it is the headphone connection that is faulty. The socket side, not the headphones themselves. When headphones are placed in a unit, the plug breaks the contact with the internal or external speakers. But when it's removed it should restore the sound to the speakers. But your unit is not doing that, so there is a bad connection on the socket.

Hi,

If the volume on the youtube player is up fully and so is the master volume on the laptop then I would suggest you get a small bluetooth speaker. I use a wired external speaker on one of my laptops as the internal speakers are very weak .. Why not bring your laptop to a small computer shop and try different speakers to see what suits you.

Hi....Just check the sound with stereo headset.If it is working properly ,right speaker has to be replaced.If the situation persist same before,you may have to check the motherboard .

Upgrade the drivers from here:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=DRIVER&PRODTYPE=24

Select detect my model
and down load the newest driver for your sound card.

Good luck.

Your computer may be overloading the speakers, in volume control turn the master volume down a bit and see if that is helping.

if using XP, go to start control panel , sound and audio devices.Under the audio tab make sure the C Media CM106 sound device is selected under sound playback. Then under the volume tab set the volume somewhere in the middle or at the top if you don;t have active speakers . Then Under Speaker settings advanced, make sure the speaker setup is set to Laptop Stereo speakers. Also make sure the speaker volumes are up on the speaker volume button. click ok. If no result check that the cm106 sound decvice was cemented in as I saw it dissaper when I thought i had slected it. I think the key thing here is the device and the laptop speakers setting.

Use the speaker phone feature. Speaker phone can be selected after call is answered. See manual or google phone model and "Speaker Phone" on net.

You may have already reached the limits if you have adjusted the settings through Control Panel (?). Are these external speakers you are listening through or is it the internal speaker?
In Control Panel (reached from the Start button, bottom left), choose Sounds and Audio Devices. The Volume tab is the first one. Make sure the Device volume slider bar is all the way to the right. Next,choose Advanced and make sure all those slider bars are up to the top with no Mute boxes checked. Finally, at the bottom choose Speaker Volume and make sure those slider bars are all the way to High.
If none of these help and you're using external speakers, it is time to buy a new set. If you only have an internal speaker you're listening with, keep in mind that they aren't powerful enough to give you the kind of volume needed to listen to some things on the web.
Let me know if you have any further questions. Please rate my answer.

Hello..if you can try to connect a external speaker or phones..if the volume is ok..than i think it is time to replace your internal speaker..pse tll me....good luck...Ron

You can check if channel 2 is blown by switching around your RCA plugs. If you are using the speaker wires as high power inputs you can change them. I.E. swap the left channel with the right one. I assume you checked the gain control on the amp. If channel 2 works with channel 3's inputs then its your head unit or the wiring. If you are lazy take the amp to a car audio store and ask them to bench test it for you. Hack