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NCAA games go to wrong audio device even when I tell O/S otherwise. How do I override Firefox?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 16 views
  • Last reply by WBBradshaw

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I assume this is a FF issue, since everything else seems to work OK. I have USB headphones plugged into USB hub underneath my desk. I use Audio Devices Properties>Audio from control panel (XP Pro) to switch between headphones and laptop speakers.

The problem is that I cannot get audio through laptop speakers when playing NCAA games through Firefox without unplugging USB headphones physically. I hate crawling under my desk to do that. If I tell the OS what speakers to use, don't change it. I should be able to force audio to laptop speakers without physically unplugging them. I use my laptop for a lot of web conversations using my headphones, but I don't want to physically unplug them when I what to listen without headphones.

I assume this is a FF issue, since everything else seems to work OK. I have USB headphones plugged into USB hub underneath my desk. I use Audio Devices Properties>Audio from control panel (XP Pro) to switch between headphones and laptop speakers. The problem is that I cannot get audio through laptop speakers when playing NCAA games through Firefox without unplugging USB headphones physically. I hate crawling under my desk to do that. If I tell the OS what speakers to use, don't change it. I should be able to force audio to laptop speakers without physically unplugging them. I use my laptop for a lot of web conversations using my headphones, but I don't want to physically unplug them when I what to listen without headphones.

Chosen solution

No sooner had I posted my complaint than I discovered that other apps do have the same problem, even though I stated otherwise. And, FF works great if the USB headphone is activated as the default device before I start FF up (or maybe the FF tab). Maybe the "problem" is the OS, if it doesn't notify FF of a device change. Or, maybe the problem is FF, if it doesn't acknowledge the OS notification.

In any event, I now have a work-around that seems consistent with all other apps on Windows. However, any other insights would still be appreciated. I think changing the sound playback device in the OS should instantly notify and be handled by all apps using the headphones/speakers/whatever, regardless of when the app was started.

bye ... done for now

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Sounds like a driver error to me. Take a look to see if there any driver updates for either devices. If you can't find anything, or don't understand what a driver is, please tell me the laptop model and the model of the headphones.

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Chosen Solution

No sooner had I posted my complaint than I discovered that other apps do have the same problem, even though I stated otherwise. And, FF works great if the USB headphone is activated as the default device before I start FF up (or maybe the FF tab). Maybe the "problem" is the OS, if it doesn't notify FF of a device change. Or, maybe the problem is FF, if it doesn't acknowledge the OS notification.

In any event, I now have a work-around that seems consistent with all other apps on Windows. However, any other insights would still be appreciated. I think changing the sound playback device in the OS should instantly notify and be handled by all apps using the headphones/speakers/whatever, regardless of when the app was started.

bye ... done for now