Speaker Connection Problem

[westont]

Hi People...

...I posted the following on MacFixit the other day with just one reply...

Ever since I upgraded to OS X 10.1.2, I periodically get a dialog box on the screen titled 'Speaker Connection'.

The text of the message reads: 'The device plugged into the Apple Speaker mini jack cannot be recognised. Remove the plug from the jack. Then plug it back in and make sure it is fully inserted.' My system is a G4/733 and the attached speakers are Apple Pro Speakers. There is no perceivable problem with operation of the speakers and following the advice in the message makes no difference at all. As far as I can tell there is no pattern to the message appearance - it just seems random.

FWIW I also noted that the same message appeared after I upgraded from OS 9.1.1 to 9.1.2. Since I don't often boot directly into OS9 anymore, I just ignored it.

Apart from unplugging and replugging the speakers as suggested, I have tried zapping the PRAM but this also does not help.

The problem is more an annoyance than anything else, but I would be interested to hear any suggestions on how to get rid of it!

I'm interested to see if anyone has any ideas...

Best regards

Tim

[loren_ryter]

i haven't experienced that problem but i believe there are issues with the speaker mini-jack output and os x. i've reported to apple a problem i have while using the speaker module that comes with the Mac cube and writing to a fire wire device--if enough sound is going out and enough data is being written fast enough, the whole USB system fails and I have to reboot. totally bizarre.

as far as your issue goes, report it. i'm sure apple is working on its support code for sound output.

[loren_ryter]

Oh by the way if you're really in Prague, would you mind doing a quick ckeck for an American named Bob Poulson? He got lost there sometime 10 years ago and I haven't heard from him since. Seriously. '-) I'll get an e-mail notification if you post a reply to this. Thanks.

[westont]

Well it seems that my speaker connection problem actually is hardware related!

I had a good look at the connector on the cable of the Pro Speakers and noticed that the central pin was slightly bent. I think this was causing the connector not to seat properly in the socket. Straightening it out seems to have solved the problem.

I still think that something changed in 10.1.2 since I didn't unplug the speakers for months prior to updating and had no problems.

In the end the problem was also causing a hang on login. Entering username and password would result in continually spinning barbers pole. Unplugging the speaker was the only way to clear it (apart from the reset button).

So that's that (I hope).

Best regards

Tim

[junk666]

Some Power Mac G4 FW800 logic boards caused this type of message. You may find this easier to believe if I tell you that the Apple speakers have a special ROM chip that signals the Power Mac that they are cool to use connected to the port. This is probably to help prevent damage to a few models of headphones that have the smaller plug (2.5mm) since this port provides 8 watts per channel amplifier signal, not 500 milliwatt line signal.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86218

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