help with sound pls

**No_Hubby** · August 29th, 2006, 08:38 PM

I am not sure if this is the right place to post, just trying. My ex husband was a tech. He built my computer, and does not speak to me now. The problem is that I do not have sound. All the places I have checked on the computer panel says the device is working properly. I have Windows XP and speakers are plugged in and on. I wonder if I am missing a cable, or if one necessary. I have no idea what kind of sound card it is. I am very amature at this. Any suggestions? I cannot really afford a tech to my home.
thanks!

**xpuser357** · August 29th, 2006, 09:00 PM

for starters do you have XP? It does not matter, you need to go to device manager and look for little yellow cicles.
Find control panel then go to system icon, double click and then click hardware tabthen device manager. If all looks ok you may have wiring problems. look where your speaker wire is plugged in computer. it should
be in green hole also you should have a power cord coming off your speakers to plug in electrical outlet. also look in start, programs, accessories,
look for sound control to turn up speakers, It may be on MUTE. If all is good
you may need new sound card.

**No_Hubby** · August 29th, 2006, 10:17 PM

THANKS,
I do not find any yellow circles. All programs on sound hardware state they are "working properly"...the speakers are plugged in. IF I need a new sound card that is beyond my ability. I do not know how to resolve this.
see ya.

**gemstone** · August 30th, 2006, 04:33 AM

Did the sound just stop working one day ? if it did and you can remember roughly when, try using system restore to restore to a date when the sound was working. It's a bit of a long shot but I don't want to bog you down with too much, apart from just making sure you hav'n't accidentally muted the speakers or something like that and if theyre speakers that require a power supply make sure that's ok.

**No_Hubby** · August 30th, 2006, 05:56 PM

No the sound never stopped. It was never audible at my new home. It did work prior.

The settings are not muted. What is a system restore? I will try that if I know how.

Does the sound require a cable to be plugged from the case to somehere?? The reason I ask, there are 2 places on back of the case for cables to go into.
The speakers are on, plugged in and do make a pop when it is turned on, so I know they work. All the icons have working speakers for them, no yellow circles. What am I missing here? I have no manuals or guides.
Thanks for any help you can give.
No_Hubby

**street1** · August 30th, 2006, 08:36 PM

Things to check...

Plug in the speakers.
Turn on the speakers.
Turn-up the volume in Windows and on the speakers.
Uncheck the mute checkbox in sound control panel.
Verify a sound should be playing. In the Control Panel, play some Windows sounds. Play a music CD.
Plug the speakers into the right hole on the sound card.
Are the speakers plugged into the sound card and not the MODEM?
Is the sound card installed correctly?
Is the power converter for the speakers plugged into a wall outlet or surge protector?
Is the power converter plugged into the speakers?
Try other speakers or a head phone?

**No_Hubby** · August 30th, 2006, 11:01 PM

The speakers are plugged in and do come on...The plugs are color coded, so they are plugged into the correct slot. I just think I am missing something.
I have tried CD music and the visuals and all are on, but without sound!! This is getting so, AAHHHhahhh. (whimper) Now, I may go get some new speakers to try out.
Thanks for all your ideas and helpful tips,
No_Hubby

**slgrieb** · August 31st, 2006, 03:40 PM

No, I think that either your sound chip has gone bad or you may have bad speakers. Sometimes things get beaten up in a move. I'd certainly try a different set (preferrably borrowed), and if you still had no sound, I'd try running System File Checker. Click the Start button, click Run, type cmd, hit the Enter key, then type sfc /scannow You need your Windows CD in the drive when you run this tool. If this doesn't fix the sound, just buy a cheap sound card ($10 or less) and install it.

Really not that hard. Turn the computer off, open the case, stick the card in a slot, put in a retaining screw, start the machine, and follow the card's software installation instructions. Of course, speakers will need to be plugged into the new card, but if everything is good, you can shut down the machine, close up the case, and you're done.

This certainly isn't beyond you (no matter what your ex said). Just be sure the card is pushed all the way down in the slot, and you should have no trouble with the rest of the installation.