You may hear static noise whenever your computer plays any sounds, except for audio CD-ROM discs, after you restore the system software on your Macintosh Performa computer.

Power Macintosh or Macintosh Performa 5200, 5300, 6200, and 6300 series computers with 16-bit audio capabilities may experience static when playing sounds from the hard drive or CD-ROM discs. However, audio CD-ROM discs sound fine.

To resolve this, you need to install the Audio Volume Extension. Although these computers originally included the Audio Volume extension, the system software CD may not include it. You can download a copy of the Audio Volume Installer disk image from the Apple Software Update locations. Follow the steps below to determine if you need this extension:

Step 1

Verify that your computer has 16-bit sound.

1. Open the Sound control panel
2. Select Sound Out from the Alert Sounds pop-up menu.
3. Check to see if the 16-bit radio button is selected. If so, your computer has 16-bit sound. If 8-bit sound is selected, you do not need the Audio Volume extension.

Step 2

Determine when the static occurs.

1. Verify that the static occurs only from programs on the hard disk or CD-ROM disc, not audio CD-ROM discs.
2. Open the Sound control panel. Listen to several of the standard system alert sounds at both even- and odd-numbered alert volume levels.

If you hear any distortion or static during the playback of these sounds, then you need the Audio Volume Extension.

The software mentioned in this article is available on many online services for free downloading. Check the Apple software updates area of your online service.

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