Audio port doesn't work

[Noam]

Hello,

I have a problem with my audio port and I can't seem to solve it. The output simply does not work. I tried various devices, headphones, and audio systems (via AUX), and there is no sound coming. When I go to the "Sound" under "System Preferences" the system does recognize there is an external device but it goes through sort of a freezing mode, showing the colorful item instead of the mouse (meaning "processing"). The freezing mode continues until I unplug the device (headphones), regardless of the time it is plugged (30 sec or 20 min).

As I mentioned I tried playing with it and changing preferences but it simply does not work. Of course I did the other required things like general Mac updates and restarting the Mac.

Is it a matter of software or hardware? How can I solve it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[oldscribe]

Hi and welcome,


Think the first thing I would do is a PRAM / NVRAM reset, what exactly are you Mac specs?

 

[tompatrick]

can't rule out corruption too. take the case of a pen-drive that is damaged. it freezes the entire system until it is plugged off. but again this is just a speculation.

 

[Noam]

Thanks for replying!
How do I do PRAM / NVRAM reset? And where can I find my Mac specs?

 

[oldscribe]

Hi,

To save me writing a long post have a look here.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

 

[Noam]

I did the reset as described and still no audio output from the port...

 

[oldscribe]

Ok try a safe boot and see if you have sound. If you have never done this have a look here.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564

 

[Noam]

So I restarted the Mac on safe boot, then there was not sound (because there is no audio output on safe boot, right?), then restarted again and still no audio output. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for continuing to help

 

[oldscribe]

Hi,

No you are doing nothing wrong, but now feel that this is a hardware issue, so personally would book am appointment with the GB at your local Apple store. Especially if this happened very suddenly.

 

[Noam]

Thanks for trying, I guess to the Mac store it is!

 

[oldscribe]

Hi,

I feel that is the best and possibly quickest solution, just one question. Look closely into the headphone jack socket, maybe in a darkened room, do you see a little red light?

 

[Noam]

No, no red light

 

[oldscribe]

Hi,

Would be good to know what the Apple techs diagnostic revealed.

 

[Noam]

Didn't take it yet, I'll update when I do!

 

[oldscribe]

OK keep us posted.