[Ham-Computers] Re A Mystery Challenge!

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All,

I need an answer to this peculiar problem, so listen up and please do some 
investigating.

This is a Compaq business system, an EVO 5100 3.0 GHZ Intel running Windows 
XP Home Edition.

I am using MSIE version 6.0 and Outlook Express version 6.0

I am using AVG and it is current.

I am using Black Ice as a software firewall. It too is current.

Everything is properly configured.

I use a dialup connection. I am on line and press CTRL to send an e-mail. 
The Windows audio suddenly stops. I am totally blind and use a software 
program by Freedom Scientific Inc. called JAWS For Windows version 7.0 The 
speech synthesizer is by DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) and is software 
based, not the familiar hardware "DECTALK PC" board or external device on 
COM#1 "DECTALK Express". This is known as "Access 32", also as DEC SOFT.

When I send the e-mail and the system audio stops working, it never returns.

The system itself seems to be operating just fine, but there is no audio of 
any kind whatsoever.

I have an integrated sound chip on the mother board. So when the Compaq/HP 
repair tech is here, he must replace the MB each time. Thus far, not 
counting the original MB, four new ones! I guess I should not say "new", as 
it is my understanding the MB being put into the machine is one that is 
refurbished!

This audio failure has happened twice. Both times the exact same thing. I 
simply sent an e-mail! No, not to the same person. (chuckle)

Nobody knows why just the integrated audio chip is being affected or what 
could possibly be affecting it to begin with. It is not a power surge. 
Despite triple protection and a dedicated 20 amp circuit, there is a UPC 
also! I have a lot of electronics here. My fifteen year old grandson, 
Brandon, calls this place "Gramp's Electronic Wonder And Wander Land!" If it 
were a line current issue, something else around here would be failing, 
acting up or "calling home" for help!

I need you guys to get serious here! I have a three year optional warranty 
to cover all parts, all labor and on site repairs. I am fearful that 
somebody at Compaq/HP is going to start to wonder what the heck the blind 
dude in Michigan is doing to generate four service visits in six months, 
with four MB replacements! What I do NOT want to happen is to have my 
service agreement terminated because they 'believe' I am somehow causing 
these system problems. Like being totally blind, using screen reading 
software to "read the screen", sending it to a speech synthesizer so I can 
"read" the screen, and just to amuse myself, causing the integrated audio to 
fail so I have no clue what is on the screen!

Gentlemen, your help is appreciated!


Duane Fischer, W8DBF
dfischer at usol.com
HHI: Halligan's Hallicrafters International
http://www.w9wze.net
HHRP: Historic Halligan Radio Project
http://hhrp.w9wze.net