Netbooks forum: Acer netbook audio problem

Sorry I forgot to mention that I have not noticed any problem with sound quality while using other programs, so I did not think there's a physical problem with the speakers. The interruption to audio has so far only happened with Messenger.

As for limitation for the machine, I thought the netbook was designed exactly for the purpose the social networking, with the built-in camera, its functions should surly include video conferencing.

I tried another video conferencing program, and there was no audio problem at all. Now it looks like the problem is Messenger. Perhaps the audio compression was overboard. Either way, I think I will stick to the new program.

I am having the same problem as well. I am using the latest Windows Live Messenger, and the video works great, but the incoming sound is chopped, as if packet are being dropped. Strangely, the video works perfectly, and the other side is receiving my audio/video with no problems. I have an Acer Aspire One notebook AOA150 with an Atom 1.6 Ghz, 1Gb RAM, and Acer's built-in cam, with Win XP.

If I find the solution, I will post it here -- but if anyone has suggestions, please let me know. If anyone is succefully using an alternate videoconferencing program, please let me know. The gmail viceoconferencing plug-in starts, but errors always occur shortly into a session...

I wonder if you've found a limitation of these small CPUs?

I had the very same issue with my Acer Aspire One A0D150 model. It had just an audio issue while using the MSN messenger. The audio wouldn't work as expected. It had a "rrrr" sound or with interference, not able to hear the other party.

What worked for me was:

1 - Installed Windows 7 thru an optical unit.
2 - I didn't install any Acer drivers at all as Windows would recognize everything. I did install the audio driver one time, but it caused me to have a the audio issue. I removed the installed driver and kept working with Windows 7 by itself. Problem was solved.
3 - MSN only works for you hearing the other end, not them hearing you. So, I used Skype to do video/audio conferences. From there, my problem got quickly fixed!!

I am experiencing the same problem - incoming audio breaks up very badly making it unintelligible; outgoing audio is fine and video is fine, and there is no real audio problem with other apps that do not involve telephony. However the telephony problem occurs with BOTH WindowsLive Messenger and GoogleVoice. I can't hear a thing from my caller. Any solutions would be appreciated.

I'm having a very similar problem with poor incoming sound on an ACER Aspire One. Just on Live Messenger, Skype is fine.
Video & my Outgoing audio is fine, whilst the incoming sound rapidly varies in level like a popping sound, almost as if a compressor has gone bad.

It is definitely the netbook as my old & slow Toshiba laptop works absolutely fine using the same version of Live messenger (the latest, you don't have an option) on fully patched Windows XP via the same router & ADSL connection.

I'm suspicious of Acer VCM (Video conference manager) as my contacts do not have it and the netbook complains that it therefore cannot run.
Does anyone know more about it please (VCM that is??)

WHY does the Acer need VCM, does Skype use it? Whats it all about... all questions I have sent to ACER support in Australia, where I bought the wee beastie. If I get sensible answers from them I will post again. Regards Dave

The audio problem continues for my Acer Netbook, and it's difficult to pinpoint exactly which item to blame. It may be the limitation of the CPU, but I have had several instances where the sound worked smoothly without interruption. Then I thought it may be a problem with how busy the MSN servers are, so perhaps pending on time of the day the sound may be broken up. I have so far not been able to point a finger at one exact thing as the cause of the problem.

It's amazing how there's not more complaints about this. With growing popularity of netbooks and MSN messenger, we can't be the only ones having this problem.

Can you tell me where in the system I can locate this VCM?