How do I add a PC Speaker to this computer? 3

[PIZZAPRO]

I have a Compaq Deskpro XL466 being used in a network,(as a workstation) one of the programs running utilizes a time limit "beep"(kind of essential in creating awareness to the user)however I have no "PC speaker" inside this machine ??? I looked inside on the board for any hints of where I could plug a pc speaker into, but not sure what\ where to look? Any help or suggetions would be appreceiated.
thanks

Beepless One.

 

[jediwarrior]

Dear Pizzapro,

Are you sure you don't have a speaker? On the mother board, you should see a small round black circle about 1/2 inch in diameter on the bottom right side with a small hole in the middle of it. that is your speaker. If you have one. It may be a permanent part of the MoBo.
Also you could check to see if there is a speaker toward the front of the inside of the computer, then you could check for a lose wire.

If you don't have a speaker at all, you may want to purchase a sound card and install that, then you can buy some speakers for the computer. Their cheap and you can get them most anywhere they sell computers.

Jediwarrior

 

[micker377]

Look closely at the motherboard (or find the manual), there should be a "strip" of pins marked pwrsw, reset, hdled, etc. One of them should be "spkr". This is where a speaker should be connected. Some are xoox, and some are xoxx pin connections.

 

[garebo]

What micker377 says it right and I have seen many deskpros. They dont supply speakers to keep the price down as they are meant for offices, secretary work, word processing, etc.
But, on the mobo, you will still find a 4 pin hookup for a small internal speaker and that is all you need.
Check the wiring from the case to the motherboard, especially the on\off button and you will find where that connects to the motherboard. There you will find, right on the same block of pins, 4 pins set aside for a small internal speaker, which you can get free from someone. It might even be on the case, just not hooked up!


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[PIZZAPRO]

Check the wiring from the case to the motherboard, especially the on\off button

I have to check when I go to work this afternoon, but I think I remember seeing a connector near the on-off switch, If I just plug in a pc speaker to this is that all I have to do? These workstations don't have harddrives so they only boor from a rom chip from the server, so I don't have any control panels access from the stations that I know of?

thanks
pizzapro

 

[garebo]

I think you are talking outside the case, and i am talking about from outside the case to inside the case, on the motherboard.
On the motherboard, you will find that the on\off switch that is on the outside of the case, is connected somewhere on the motherboard, on the inside of the case. In that block of pins would be 4 pins set aside for you to connect a simple small speaker to, and that would be all you need to do.
Provided that you have a speaker, and you have located the place on the motherboard where the on\off power is connected to the motherboard, you can try connecting this speaker to any 4 pins on that block for your speaker. One block of 4 pins would be for the speaker.
You could likely go to compaq website and find out exactly where the pins are, but you can find out thru trial and error as i suggested. If Compaq site fails you then go to motherboards.com and they may have a schematic of your motherboard, but again, I dont see a need.
You must be able to go to the back of the computer and take the screws off so you can gain access to the motherboard?



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[PIZZAPRO]

NOPE, looked inside this computer everywhere? , no pins labeled for spkr or speaker, no 1/2" speaker mounted to the board? Don't know what installing a sound card would do? Don't think it would work for the computer beeps I'm looking for? This board does have a built in sound card, adn I tried plugging some powered speakers into the outputs? didn't do anything?
What I probably have to do is "somehow" clone or config another pc(that has a pc speaker in it) as a workstation? I know getting the network card compatible and bios setup is the issue??? Is this something of a challenge? These workstations currently use NE2000 bootrom nic's runnign with bootware software? I know I can't just throw the nic into any pc and turn it on? Wondering how complicated it could be? any words of wisdom appreciated..
thanks

 

[garebo]

The pins may not be labelled, but all you have to do is get a very small speaker, you can buy them used for about a dollar at used computer shops.
Then just locate where the connection runs from the case to the mobo for your on\off switch and connect the speaker to 4 pins around there and you will be all set. The speakers have 4 pins to them.
YOu said you have onboard sound. Maybe its not enabled in bios, maybe the drivers arent installed, check dev mgr for that, if not, it would be easy to get the drivers and install them. Sometimes also you have to fiddle with the settings in windows for sound as they get turned to "mute" often for no reason. Im sure you can get both of these things done yourself.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[PIZZAPRO]

Ok, here's another... How do I enter the bios setting for this compaq deskpro xl 466? I've tried restarting holding down f10 tried f1 - f9 too... the computer is booting from a boot rom chip using bootware software? Is this my problem? I have a dell optiplex next to it when I ctr alt del that machine, it tells me to hit ctr alt ent to enter bios.. no problem there? But I wanted to check the bios on the compaq to turn on speaker or sound? Any suggestions?
I even tried unplugging network, to see if it would give me different options? no luck
thanks
Pizzapros

 

[micker377]

On some laptops, you look at the top-right of the screen (during the first screen [CPU and memory listing]), and it will show a blinking cursor, and say to hit F(2?). You only get a few seconds to do this.

 

[PIZZAPRO]

Nope,the only thing on the screen durring initial boot is the bottom right corner says compaq 466 I think?
I've hit every key on the computer (twice) only to get an f1 resume, which only continues the boot???
Its not a laptop its a full size desktop pc.
thanks
Gotta be some way to access?

 

[JAG14]

System Beeps are normally recreated now in Windows XP by any soundcard. Most "Volume Control" on Taskbar will provide a PC Speaker Facility.

Just a thought. (useless if you don't have XP)

[tt]'Very funny, Scotty... Now Beam down my clothes.'[/tt]

 

[norty303]

Have you tried pressing Del to get into the bios? Or holding CTRL...

 

[garebo]

There is a certain combo of keys for older Compaq computers, to get in the bios. You are right, Compaq sets up a partition of sorts and the boot info and bios info are in that partition. I will try and find the key combo for you but it will take me a while. I have stuff packed to move.
I just found the 2 floppys with the "rompaq" on it but i cant find the key combo for getting in the bios.
Someone out there prolly knows it but i will keep looking for you. I owe this place a lot!







Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

In the meantime, you can go here:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/deskpro/us/download/9329.html

You should be able to find the combo keys to get into the bios.
I am guessing here at this point, but it could even be that you have to use a floppy to get at the bios, not sure as i havent done this for years and my mem is bad, getting old!


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

I have been checking this out.
I am not sure, but it could be that you have to download certain files, i think its the rompaq, and put them on a floppy and use that to get into the bios.
I could be all wrong here as i stated above, its been a long time and i am old and forget.
But you can check around that site and i will continue looking for info for you.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[ceh4702]

Most office computers I have seen have integrated sound. However, many older computers had integrated video and then if you wanted sound you had to have a sound card. You have to have either integrated sound or or a sound card to produce the sound. Some computers may have the option for an internal speaker.

If your motherboard has internal integrated sound, then there may be a socket on the motherboard for the speakers and the microphone and sound out.

You have to determine if you have integrated sound or not. If you do not have integrated sound, then you may need a sound card. Sometimes an internal speaker can be used.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[PIZZAPRO]

Yes there is onboard soundcard, I see the inputs in the back marked left and right speaker... I have plugged speakers into this just to see if anything happens.. notta..

The bios floppy boot thing sounds like its probable, other things I found on the web and this site, have suggested something like that, where the bios is on a partion of the hd?

 

[garebo]

If i recall correctly you have to go to the site i gave you and download the files to make a boot disk to access the bios.
The bios is on a hidden partition on your hard drive and i believe you use the floppy disk to access the bios.
Again, this is all from memory. I was hoping you would find the info on the website i gave you.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

I forgot. In addition to making the floppy from files at that website, you could see if you could locate the manual for the mobo that you have, then you can where you enable and disable the onboard sound. IT may be done on the mobo, thru a jumper or maybe from the bios, maybe even both, i dont know.
But, again, if you only need a simple beep sound, again, you can go back to trying to put a simple small speaker on 4 of the pins right in the same place as the on\off is connected to the mobo. The pins have to be there on that block of pins, or usually they are.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips