Why won't my computer recognize the speakers plugged into my receiver?

[OdinSaxxon]

I have an Acer V3 running Windows 8.1. I just bought a Sherwood RD-6500. I have 2 sets of 2 speakers connected, but my computer and Realtek doesn't recognize that the rear speakers are connected. In Realtek,but it recognizes the front speakers and the sub. I can't use the speaker config drop menu, and there is no advanced options. Configuring speakers through the sound menu doesn't work either. What can I do to fix this issue?

 

[i7Baby]

Acer v3 - a laptop?

RD6500 - speakers? receiver?

4 speakers - connected to your receiver?

Read the instructions? http/www.manualslib.com/manual/152109/Sherwood-Rd-6500.html

So nothing is connected to a PC?

 

[OdinSaxxon]

Acer v3 - a laptop?

RD6500 - speakers? receiver?

4 speakers - connected to your receiver?

Read the instructions? http/www.manualslib.com/manual/152109/Sherwood-Rd-6500.html

So nothing is connected to a PC?

Yes, a laptop, RD6500 is the receiver, all 4 speakers are connected. If by PC you mean desktop tower, then no, but the laptop is connected to the receiver with a 3.5mm jack to RCA jack (male).

 

[i7Baby]

How are you connecting from the laptop to the receiver? what ports on each?

 

[OdinSaxxon]

How are you connecting from the laptop to the receiver? what ports on each?

I'm connecting the laptop to the receiver with the 3.5mm to rca cable. The 3.5mm jack end is connected to the computer.

 

[i7Baby]

So - headphones out to Stereo RCA in?

 

[OdinSaxxon]

So - headphones out to Stereo RCA in?

yes.

 

[i7Baby]

If you R Click on the desktop speaker icon, have you got microphone enabled in Playback?

Do you get sound out of any speakers?

 

[OdinSaxxon]

If you R Click on the desktop speaker icon, have you got microphone enabled in Playback?

Do you get sound out of any speakers?

Yes, I do have sound, in the front speakers, just not in back.

 

[i7Baby]

Then its something to do with the receiver and turning on all the speakers.

Read the instructions? http/www.manualslib.com/manual/152109/Sherwood-Rd-650...

 

[americanaudiophile]

Your laptop connection to the PC will only output 2 channels of audio. To get the rear speakers to play select a different surround mode on the receiver such as Dolby Prologic II.
If you want digital surround sound then you need an external converter like this one
http/www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/Sound/USB-Audio/USB-to-Audio-Converter-External-SPDIF-Sound-Card~ICUSBAUDIO2D
and use the SPDIF digital output to your receiver.