Thread: Thinkpad volume bar osd disappeared

I have an IBM Thinkpad, it used to have a green volume bar displaying how much volume was being increased/decreased or on mute (volume bar on screen - not the volume changer icon on the bottom right-hand side of the task bar). I think something got accidently deleted/uninstalled and the volume bar screen display has disappeared.

I tried installing a file from the IBM website but that did not work, and I do not understand ACPI codes and script languages so I cannot use those to fix the problem. I also tried the tpb files found online. The "Access IBM" button on the laptop has also stopped working. The Access IBM button doesnt work but the volume buttons still work, they just dont show the osd. What can I do to bring these osd functions back ?

Originally Posted by hella

I tried installing a file from the IBM website but that did not work

IBM/Lenovo's website offer different versions of a driver/software, often offering just the update (which still requires the original installation files to work) and that won't work.
Which Thinkpad is it?

^ its a ThinkPad R50 from 2005 I think ... is there a way to get hold of the original installation files ? .. I am not sure if they are on the IBM webite

Lenovo Support & downloads - Audio driver for Windows XP, 2000, 98SE - ThinkPad R40, R50, R50e, R50p, R51, T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p, X31, X32, X40

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs...s/1ga241ww.exe

# Start Windows and log on with the user ID authorized as an administrator for Windows 2000/XP.
# Extract this package onto the hard drive.
# Click Start and then click Run.
# Type C:\DRIVERS\WIN\AUDIO\SETUP.EXE in the Open box and click OK.
# Follow the instructions on the screen.
# Click Finish and reboot the system when prompted in order to complete the installation.

Great to see another Thinkpad user. There are those who call our laptops bland and uninspring, but few can compete with their reliability and durability.

"Lets talk again when your laptop falls apart"

I personally think Thinkpads are the best notebooks that exist. My boss's wife accidentally tripped on the power cord which caused the Thinkpad it was connected to flying into a wall. Result was a hole in the wall and a minor scratch on the laptop.

thanks a lot Jyuu....I finally got the osd back after 6~7 months, I think I had downloaded the same file but didnt think it was unpacking a driver --and yes ThinkPads are probably the best i came across.

Originally Posted by Jyuu

I personally think Thinkpads are the best notebooks that exist. My boss's wife accidentally tripped on the power cord which caused the Thinkpad it was connected to flying into a wall. Result was a hole in the wall and a minor scratch on the laptop.

Only thing that competes in Durability is a Toughbook.

Same thing happened to our family laptop. Only that it got pulled off the desk and onto the hardware floor plug side down. Plug broke off, bought a replacement for $60. Only then did we find out that the power supply itself was broken, and the PSU was part of the Mobo.
So we had a $1200 Broken HP Pavillion laptop broken, out of warranty, with a useless extra power supply.

(Only in toughbooks are external ports connected via wires to the mobo, so breaking off the plug in the laptop won't damage the mobo)

Originally Posted by Miro-kun

(Only in toughbooks are external ports connected via wires to the mobo, so breaking off the plug in the laptop won't damage the mobo)

The PSU-on-motherboard thing is the case with most laptops out there. The major problem with that is when the port gets loose and may cause part of the board to snap.

Only a few Toughbooks are actually tough. The most common ones (business-rugged) aren't actually very resistant to physical abuse.

Well, Road Rugged is enough. I want to be able to toss it into a backpack without carefully packing it in a neoprene sleeve, have it sleep and wake up quickly and easily, and not be damaged by my OCD tendencies to clean it often.