No sound from screens in hl2 - help!!

[GBhoy]

Ok, apologies if this problem has been posted elsewhere, but if it has, I cant find it.

I have had quite a few problems since recently buying half life 2 - stuttering, freezing etc, (not the best graphics controller, so thats maybe the reason)but managed to sort most of them so that the game is more or less playable now by updating drivers and cleaning up system/defrag etc.
However, there remains a minor but extremely irritating sound problem - all sound seems to be ok apart from when its on a screen in the game - Dr Breen in the train station and professor talking to barney at insertion point, and all other similar scenarios. All I hear is one side of the conversation, and i'm now at a loss as to what to do.

I have tried messing about with the sound options and even reinstalled the game, but the problem remains. I can get by without it, but it takes away from the atmosphere and is really annoying me - any ideas?

 

[joule]

That "integrated graphics controller" just isn't cutting it for a game like Half-Life 2. I suggest upgrading what you have now, or getting a whole new computer/laptop.

 

[GBhoy]

Thanks Joule - is it likely the integrated graphics is the cause of the sound problem?

Also (and apologies for my technical ignorance), is it possible to upgrade to a dedicated graphics card on a laptop with integrated graphics?

 

[joule]

I've never owned a laptop before - let alone upgraded one, but I don't think it's possible to upgrade your graphics card. Though some new high performance laptop and portable computer manufacturers have come out with models that enable users to upgrade the video card or video accelerator it came shipped with. Unless your laptop or portable computer is one of these types of laptops or portable computers you will not be able to upgrade your video card.

If you are still unsure if your laptop or portable computer is this type of computer it is recommended you contact the laptop manufacturer for any additional information.

http://www.computerhope.com/comp/hp.htm

 

[GBhoy]

thanks again joule, much appreciated.

 

[Beerdude26]

Decent cards :
ATi Radeon 9XXX (X = other numbers, e.g. 9600) PRO/XT (better versions of the standard card version)
These are older cards, but still very widely used and quite cheap
ATi Radeon XXXX (The first X is standard, the others are numbers, e.g. X800) PRO/XT (better versions of the standard card version)
Very new, very expensive, very good performance
ATi Radeon XXXXX (The first X is standard, the others are numbers, e.g. X1800) PRO/XT (better versions of the standard card version)
Newest ATi cards, VERY expensive and great performance
nVidia nForce 5XXX (X = other numbers, e.g. 5700) ULTRA/GT/GTX (better versions of the standard card version)
Older cards, but good performance and cheap
nVidia nForce 6XXX (X = other numbers, e.g. 6800) ULTRA/GT/GTX (better versions of the standard card version)
Newer cards, good performance but sometimes a bit expensive
nVidia nForce 7XXX (X = other numbers, e.g. 7800) ULTRA/GT/GTX (better versions of the standard card version)
Great cards, extremely expensive and very, very good performance

Just so you know the difference between cards

 

[JellyWorld]

You can't classify cards by pricepoint based on generation, say, a 6200 or X300 will cost less than a 9800.