Audio jack issues

[sixums]

I'm pretty computer illiterate, but I'm looking for some advice.

I have an Acer Extensa 4420 that's about a year and a half old. I live in the dorms at college with a roommate, and as such I use the headphone jack a lot. I also use my laptop primarily in bed on a laptop desk, most often lying down or propped on my legs. I'm sure over time this sort of thing has messed with the audio jack, but here's the issue:

When I plug my headphones into the jack (which is located on the front of the laptop), it won't send the sound to the headphones. It'll cut in and out, sometimes going to the headphones, sometimes going to the regular speakers. When it goes to the regular speakers, what I do is turn the headphone plug inside the jack and sometimes push it either up or down until I get the sound back, then hold it that way. Often I'll prop a stuffed animal underneath it to keep it working. Sometimes it'll be good and work for hours, sometimes I have to fight with it every few seconds. It's obviously the audio jack because I've used several types of headphones with it and they all have the same problem.

So I have a few questions:

1) Is this repairable? If so, how easy?
2) Would I have to send my laptop out somewhere to get it fixed? Say I brought it to BestBuy. As a college student, I need this laptop.
3) Any ballpark estimate on price? I won't hold anyone to it at all, I just want to get a scope. Is it, in your opinion worth it?
4) If it's not worth it, are there any other alternatives? Be honest, if I need to suck it up, I need to suck it up.

I'm generally more comfortable using headphones with my laptop than making my roommate use his, because he watches TV while I primarily listen to girly folk music on my laptop. He also goes to bed earlier than I do, and I like to stay up late and chill.

Any and all advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Broomjockey]

It's probably repairable. Unfortunately, unless you're an electronics tinkerer, or know one, and can solder a replacement jack on, you're looking at a motherboard replacement. Is it worth it? Depends on the model. Don't take it to Best Buy unless you've got a repair plan with them. You're going to be without it for a few days at least, assuming they don't take it until they get the board in. Don't take it to Best Buy. Alternatives? Does your laptop have Bluetooth? If so, you might be able to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that will work with your computer. Oh, don't take it to Best Buy.

On a laptop that's a year and a half old, especially something marketed as a budget model, replacing the motherboard's likely to be more than half the cost of what you paid for it.


Seriously, don't take it to Best Buy.

[sixums]

Seriously, don't take it to Best Buy.

I just said the first store that came to my mind.

A replacement motherboard? Okay, thanks. I think my boyfriend has a pair of wireless headphones, and I know my laptop does have bluetooth on it. I've never used it though. We'll see what I can work out. *sigh*

Thanks again.

[Broomjockey]

A replacement motherboard?

Yeah, that's the problem with laptops. Everything is attached to the motherboard. Anything breaks, you're in trouble.

[sirwired]

Don't futz with the motherboard. Instead, get a USB sound adapter.

There are several really cheap ones available, and they appear to work okay, as long as you don't plan on using the mic jack. Amazon has them starting at $3.75 (search for "USB sound"). Heck for that price, buy three! If one doesn't work or breaks, you have another one handy. If you want a nicer one, Creative makes one for $30.

SirWired

[Broomjockey]

oh right, USB sound card/adapter things. Decent option, but not USB headphones. I've heard more people complain about them than I've ever heard positive.

Though the USB sound adapter that would mean a USB port always taken up, and one more thing to worry about carrying around. Pros and cons. But it's cheap! Always a big plus.

[HYHYBT]

Yeah, that's the problem with laptops. Everything is attached to the motherboard. Anything breaks, you're in trouble.

That's why I got the 3-year warranty; if it breaks after that, well, it'd probably not be worth fixing anyway.

Though the USB sound adapter that would mean a USB port always taken up, and one more thing to worry about carrying around. Pros and cons. But it's cheap! Always a big plus.

And it depends on the intended use. If Sixums is going to haul the thing around and use the headphones everywhere, that can be a problem. For one thing, it's bound to get knocked around a bit eventually and break the USB port. But using it at home, it shouldn't matter much, and if you need that port for something else it's easy enough to do without the music for a short time.

[Naaman]

oh right, USB sound card/adapter things. Decent option, but not USB headphones. I've heard more people complain about them than I've ever heard positive.

Though the USB sound adapter that would mean a USB port always taken up, and one more thing to worry about carrying around. Pros and cons. But it's cheap! Always a big plus.

Not had a problem with USB headset (I use Teamspeak a lot for gaming), although it has the quirk that the device has to be plugged in and recognised\working within Windows before you start the app.

[Broomjockey]

although it has the quirk that the device has to be plugged in and recognised\working within Windows before you start the app.

I know a lot of people who would say "And therein lies the rub." Anything happens to it, and you need to restart the program, or sometimes, it just doesn't want to start working, etc. Never heard about issues with USB sound cards though. Weird.