Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions The Geek Squad

I went to BB today to see what audio card options they have and to feel out whether they would help me get my PC>audio conneciton going.

I have met the Geek Squad and he exists! Well, actually there were two of them all all in one store... at the same time.

As proof of geekieness, one guy is running MS server 2008 on a quadcore at home just cause.

These guys must have spent a good 20 minutes with me going over other possibilities for why my receiver isn't seeing anything over optical out without trying to sell me monster cables or anything.

Possibility 1: The drivers only support dolby digital out. I checked when I got home and I don't think thats it as I have a choice for CD or DVD. I didn't know what that meant before, but I expect it allows me to output LPCM or DD over SPDIF.

The other is harder to check. Apparently there is a non-standard optical out connector out there that a few mobos use for output. BB used to carry the connector, but they couldn't find one.

It is a strange thing when a couple of guys from BB know more about computers than the local PC shop.

Fred, have you tried getting advice from the AVSForum HTPC area? The geek factor there is truly amazing. Did you post the complete scenario somewhere already? I mean, I remember you being p!ssed, but I don't remember the technical details.

I lost my respect for the Geek Squad when they tried to tell me that expensive monster cable would make my system sound much better. I told the guy, I would be him $100 bucks that he could not tell the difference between lamp cord and monster in blind AB tests, he has yet to show up.

I have a guy who works for me that was a former Geek Squad guy, and honestly, I wouldn't trust him to put together any PC or A/V stuff for me. He has also told me stories of the other "Geeks" at the store and all of the "questionable" stuff that they push on the Geeks to do. Honestly, if you found someone at BB that knows anything, then don't count on them staying there much longer because BB won't be able to keep them.

So fire him and hire me. ha ha lol

Were not they the guys that got busted for for stealing every bodies photos? Not that store in particular probably, but that franchise.

Well that could have been an isolated incident but I do remember they scored poorly in a Marketplace report for being caught on film trying to sell a ridiculous solution to reporter who was undercover pretending to have PC issues at home.

Yeah, those were the guys. Then again, it's not like other shops haven't done the same thing; they just haven't gotten caught.

True enough. It was more of a humorous side comment. I used to be a PC and software guy for a small retail company in the early nineties so I feel like I can poke fun.

Yeah, I was a field engineer for a small consulting company that also did sales and authorized repairs.

You see too many things that you don't want to see on people's computers, let me tell you...

Regarding the Geek Squad, as with most things, it just depends on the person. I have an acquaintance that works at the local Geek Squad. He's a pretty good guy; reasonably intelligent, knows computers, and is friendly enough. I'd trust him. But some of the others, probably not.

I have to give our local BB/GS credit though. I have a BS in Computer Science and I'm the senior Software Enginner and DBA at my company. I am a computer nerd. I have been known to set up severs for fun. The last time I had to return something where I was 'required' to talk to the GS before they'd accept the return (a laptop), the guy (not my friend) immediately realized that I knew what I was talking about and basically just signed the 'ok to return' paperwork. I was expecting a battle.

Back to your problem.....

Start with the basics. Are you sure that your optical cable is ok?

I have had several of them 'die' over the years. All it takes is one good bend and you start to break the fibers. They really are delicate. Not at all like a non-optical cable. Break enough of the fibers, and it won't transmit the optical signal well enough anymore. Can be a bear to troubleshoot because sometimes the signal will work, and sometimes it won't.

Observe the strength of the red light coming from your source output. Then plug in your optical cable to it and observe the strength of red light coming out of the other end. If it's significantly dimmer, you probably have a bad cable. Replace it.

Even if it isn't dimmer, I'd still suggest picking up a new one to try. If it doesn't fix the problem just return it. I say this out of personal experience.