Where's my SLI? 5.1 Switcher? Functional Keyboard?

Posted 02/01/2008 at 5:05pm | by The Maximum PC Staff

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A 5.1 SWITCHEROO

Ever seen a device that can switch between 5.1 components?

I have 5.1-capable headphones with an attached mic and 5.1-capable speakers. I want to be able to easily switch between the speakers and headphones, but I currently have to physically disconnect my speakers and then connect the headphones, which is very tedious. Logitech speakers have a desktop controller/volume control that accepts headphones, but it has only a single input.

The Doc has never seen the type of analog 5.1-channel switcher you’re describing, but he suggests you take a look at Turtle Beach’s Ear Force HPA2. This headset delivers 5.1-channel surround sound and has a boom-mounted mic, but it also comes with a splitter cable that enables you to plug in a set of 5.1-channel speakers. You can switch between the two outputs without having to unplug any cables from your soundcard. The Doctor realizes that’s not an ideal solution, but he’s listened to both the Turtle Beach phones and the Razer HP-1s you’re using and much prefers the Turtles.

DUAL CARD DOESN’T WORK

I recently bought a Dell XPS 710 with an XFX GeForce 8600 GTS videocard. I am running dual Dell 2007WFP 20-inch monitors. I want to install a second XFX GeForce 8600 GTS card, so I can run a third Dell 2007WFP, maybe even four monitors. I haven’t had any luck installing the second card.

When I bought the XPS 710, the salesperson said Dell could spec the XPS 710, with two videocards. If he was correct, the two cards should work. Dell did have to replace the motherboard last week for a different reason. When the technician changed the board, she tried installing the second card but was also unsuccessful. Any suggestions?

Never content to leave well enough alone, Dell customizes the XPS 710 with what it calls “Dell’s OEM Implementation of Nvidia nForce 590 SLI.” If Dell’s tech-support staff can’t get SLI to function on its own product, you should explore returning the system and getting your money back.

TOUCHSMART, TOUCHSMART, SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME

I bought an HP TouchSmart PC in March 2007 (my first mistake in this venture). I have had keyboard issues since day one. The keyboard is wireless and it works intermittently. I look at the keyboard, not the screen when I type, so when I look up, half of my letters are missing and a third of the others are duplicates. Other times the keyboard works well.

After calling HP support, I was sent a replacement keyboard. That did not resolve the issue. So I called back and was sent another. Same problem. I noticed that it uses 2.4GHz for its comm signal. Since my wireless router (Linksys WRT54g) is in close proximity, could that be interfering? Should I switch the router to a different channel?

The HP help desk wants me to reinstall the operating system. I refuse to do that because it took too much time to set up.

The HP TouchSmart IQ770 has a built-in Bluetooth transceiver for its mouse and keyboard, but soon after HP began shipping these machines, the company decided to augment it with a USB Bluetooth dongle. If you didn’t receive a dongle with your machine, contact HP and ask them to send you one. After you’ve paired it with your keyboard, you should see a big improvement in keyboard performance. The Doctor certainly did after he added one to his TouchSmart. If you’re still having trouble, the Doc prescribes moving your router—it could be interfering with the Bluetooth network.

Spider Doctor. Spider Doctor. Does whatever a Spider Doctor does. Can he swing, from a web? No he can’t, cause he’s the Doctor. Look out! He is the Doctor. Solves your problems. If you send. An e-mail to doctor@maximumpc.com. Running out! Of space for song….