Can I run speakers from a USB port?

Hopkirk | 20:55 Fri 07th Jan 2011 | Computers

13 Answers

I have a six year old Packard Bell computer.

The loudspeaker socket has long had a problem, so I run the speakers from the headphone socket on the front.

This socket now also has bad connection problems.

Is there any way I can run loudspeakers from a USB port?

Would I have to download a programme for this, or is it not possible as the computer was not designed for this?

Slow hibernating

numbers coming up when i press letters

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NazNomad

http://www.usbspeakers.org.uk/

ChuckFickens

Is it a desktop or a laptop?

you can either way, usb speakers or a asb sound card will both do the job, but assuming it's a desktop fixing at least the front will cost next to nothing.

Hopkirk

Question Author

It's a desktop.

I know that computers these days run speakers from USBs, but as mine was supplied with an old fashioned pin plug, i wasn't sure if it had the capability to run USB speakers.

Does it?

ChuckFickens

in fact fixing the back will only cost a couple of quid if you can use a soldering iron, but the front port will be a header on a lead and you can just get another from ebay and then it's a plug in job only.

Hopkirk

Question Author

I'm a bit nervous fiddling inside computers, even though its old and steam driven.

ChuckFickens

if it has USB 2 ports it can run a USB sound card or speakers.

Basically, you computer has a soundcard built onto the mainboard and it's only the sockets that have gone faulty by the sound of it, so you can either replace the socket(s), or get USB speakers or a soundcard which then replaces the soundcard built onto the main board with a second soundcard that connects by USB.

Hopkirk

Question Author

Thanks.

I think repairing / replacing the socket sounds easier.

I think my sons computer has USB speakers, so I will try plugging them in to see what happens.

ChuckFickens

what's the model number of the desktop part?