Multimedia speakers not playing up to potential

After I posted my problem, I browsed a bit further through the other posts and solutions, until I came across the excellent solution of TrickyTrev34 and gave it a try. However, I did not slice the cable, but did it as follows: <p> 1. Switch off power of the sound system on the subwoofer box. Disconnect the Front Right (FR) speaker box (the one with the volume control) from the subwoofer box.<br>
2. Remove the silver coloured metal oval on which the speaker box stands. Now you'll see a small screw at the bottom of the speaker box. remove it.<br> 3. Carefully remove the silver coloured metal protection plate (with all the little holes) from the front of the FR speaker box by wedging it from the top with a flathead screwdriver or other thin blunt object. Now you'll see the speaker and 4 holes with screws inside. Remove screws and speaker box opens up..<br> 4. Inside you should see six wires (Red, Blue, Yellow, White, Green & Black). Carefully cut the GREEN wire only. Insulate the both ends of the GREEN wire with electrical tape or heatshrink or similar.<br>
5. Put the FR speaker box back together in reversed order.<br> 6. Connect FR speaker back to the subwoofer box. Make sure the volume setting on your PC is very low, because when you switch back on the power of the subwoofer, you should be blasting again.<br>
<p> As TrickyTrev34 already mentioned, the only downside of this procedure is that it will disable the volume control on the FR speaker, but who cares, your sound system works again, and you can still control the volume via the PC playback control panel and/or the multi-media keyboard if you have one.<p>Thanks for giving the lead trickytrev34.

I had exact same problem with Altec Lansing 4.1 (2003 Dell). Not willing to chuck out the speaker system and after much testing/fault finding, I have a relatively simple solution that put the "big bang" back back into the system. The only downside is this procedure below will disable the volume potentiometer on the FL speaker. However you can still control the volume via the PC playback control panel and/or the multi-media keyboard if you have one. The procedure is as follows:

1. Disconnect the Front Right (FR) speaker from the box (ie the one with the volume control)
2. Carefuly slice the outer insulation of the FR speaker cable to expose the inner cables. Take care not to damage the internal wires.
3. There should be six wires (Red, Blue, Yellow, White, Green & Black). Carefully cut the GREEN wire only.
4. Insulate the cable with electrical tape or heatshrink or similar.
5. Reconnect FR speaker.

Thats it! You should now be rockin the house again.

Make sure all of the cable are plugged in all the way, if that isn't the issue it sounds like the amplifier could have blown, if that is the case you would be better off replacing them.

Hello, I had the same problem and determined there was a weak plug where the controller speaker (main) plugs into the woofer. If I shook it, it would find just the right spot (connection) and would play normally. One day I decided to pull the plug and look at it to see if something was wrong with the plug; messed around and broke a pin in the plug. Now it doesn't play at all. I am trying to find if I can get a replacement plug. The speakers were really great and now I find they are probably discontinued.

In case anyone has googled their way into this somewhat older thread, I'm here to affirm TrickyTrev34's solution really does work. I'm thankful, astounded, and puzzled. I'd love to know WHY it works. (But I'm so happy to not have to buy new speakers that I'll be perfectly content if somebody answers "it's magic!")
Being a bit of a klutz with tools & stuff, I held off on the task for several days, but I shouldn't have; it's not nearly as hard as it looks -- just take your time and slice carefully.
TrickyTrev34, may the wind be always at your back.

Was ready to buy new speakers...Thanks for the Green wire solution!!!!!