Sound card shot? Ethernet port shot.

Hello, I have an HP Pavillion dv9000 and I suspect that the sound card isn't working correctly. I have tried two pair of speakers and neither sound good (the 2nd pair being Bose Companion II, which sound decent on my work computer). I'm wondering if I need to replace my sound card. If so, how much should this cost, including labor?

My computer did get zapped by a power surge during a storm and the Ethernet port does not work (diagnosed w/ an HP tech via phone). I've been using an ethernet to USB adapter and that's been fine. Could the sound card have been zapped too?

Are there any reputable chains to have the work done at? Thank you!

Reply 1 : Sound card shot? Ethernet port shot.

The dv6000 and dv9000 line are well known for such things to outright product failures. Google if you must but if the factory restore fails to restore sound or ethernet you might try some USB to sound or USB to ethernet solutions since those are really cheap.

DO NOT INVEST IN REPAIR on this model. If you need to know why, just google dv9000 recall and such.

EXAMPLE AUDIO USB and such follows. Be sure to shop around at amazon, frys and geeks.
http://www.geeks.com/products_sc.asp?cat=762
http://www.trendnet.com/products/proddetail.asp?prod=150_TU2-ET100&cat=32 (Supports Vista)

Bob

Reply 2 : Sound card shot? Ethernet port shot.

Thanks Bob! Yes, I have that exact Trendnet adapter and it works quite well. I guess I'll stick with it since I shouldn't put any money into the computer. I almost did a factory restore w/ the HP tech, but I didn't want to get all of my docs and pics off my computer, so the adapter it is.

Thanks for the suggestion of an external sound card. I didn't know such a thing existed. I'm not clear how it works, so I'll have to read up on it. I play music from the hard drive, CDs, and listen to online radio.

The recalls are so sad. Other than these couple issues, this has been a very reliable computer with MUCH less issues than the Dells that I have used. If I were to replace it tomorrow, I'd get another HP without hesitation. I'll have to check for recalls this time.

Thanks again.