1 response
Sounds like 1 of 3 things:
1. Sound Card got deselected as your default playback device.
To check for this, and fix it, if it's the issue:
I. Go to your Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Sounds, click "Audio" tab -> make sure your "Sound playback" - "Default Device" is correct. If it is incorrect, try changing it. If no options there, then it's one of the other 2 problems. If you are able to change it, make sure the Sound Recording and Midi music playback are correct as well - if applicable.
2. Sound Drivers got corrupted, changed, or uninstalled
To check on this, right-click on "My Computer" - in start menu or on desktop, and select "Properties." Next, click the Hardware tab, and then the "Device Manager" button. Look for any equipment listed with a question mark or exclamation point on them. If you see one of these, and it sounds like your sound card (may say PCI device or generic sound card for instance), then right-click on the device, select "Update drivers". If that doesn't work, try right-clicking on that same spot, and choose uninstall. Then right-click on any item in the list afterwards and choose "Search for New Hardware." If that doesn't work, try uninstalling the item again, and restarting the computer. If that doesn't work, then it's probably hardware - or for some reason the Sound driver is incorrect or improperly installed. You can Google for the most recent version of the correct sound drivers for your device. If it's an OEM machine, go to the manufacturer's support site, and you may find it there. Otherwise, look for the motherboard manufacturer's webiste if "onbard" or the sound card's manufacturer if is a PC card for instance.
3. Hardware is going bad. You can find good sound cards cheap these days on eBay. Go for a PCI card if you can.
To test this, you'll need to to these things (assuming this is a desktop - if a laptop, then your options are much more limited.
First, unplug your computer from the power source (you can't do this part with a laptop, but if you were to try, it's best to at least also remove the system battery first).
Next, open your computer case - this can vary depending upon the manufacturer and model. So, I can't tell you how - most have a couple screws holding things together, typically in the back of the computer. Some just have a little lever you push to open the case.
Next, look for your sound card. it will be the device your speakers are plugged into. If it is a separate card - plugged into a PCI slot (white most likely), then try taking the screw out that holds it (if has a screw - or whatever else the case emplementation is for keeping those in their slots, disconnect any wires from the back of the card, pull it out of the PC slot. Look it over, make sure the connections appear clean, and if you don't notice anything very odd about it from what you might expect, then try plugging it back in, then putting screw back into card or whatever clamp holds it there, then reconnect the speakers, then close the case, and then connect the power again. Start the computer back up. If still no sounds, and you've alreayd tiried the first 2 options (before number 3), then chances are the hardware is just dead. at tha tpoint, i'd jut look for another sound card - You shoudl be able to get a Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 1, 2, or 4 , for cheap, and sometimes you can find the X-Fi cards for cheap as well.
1. Sound Card got deselected as your default playback device.
To check for this, and fix it, if it's the issue:
I. Go to your Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Sounds, click "Audio" tab -> make sure your "Sound playback" - "Default Device" is correct. If it is incorrect, try changing it. If no options there, then it's one of the other 2 problems. If you are able to change it, make sure the Sound Recording and Midi music playback are correct as well - if applicable.
2. Sound Drivers got corrupted, changed, or uninstalled
To check on this, right-click on "My Computer" - in start menu or on desktop, and select "Properties." Next, click the Hardware tab, and then the "Device Manager" button. Look for any equipment listed with a question mark or exclamation point on them. If you see one of these, and it sounds like your sound card (may say PCI device or generic sound card for instance), then right-click on the device, select "Update drivers". If that doesn't work, try right-clicking on that same spot, and choose uninstall. Then right-click on any item in the list afterwards and choose "Search for New Hardware." If that doesn't work, try uninstalling the item again, and restarting the computer. If that doesn't work, then it's probably hardware - or for some reason the Sound driver is incorrect or improperly installed. You can Google for the most recent version of the correct sound drivers for your device. If it's an OEM machine, go to the manufacturer's support site, and you may find it there. Otherwise, look for the motherboard manufacturer's webiste if "onbard" or the sound card's manufacturer if is a PC card for instance.
3. Hardware is going bad. You can find good sound cards cheap these days on eBay. Go for a PCI card if you can.
To test this, you'll need to to these things (assuming this is a desktop - if a laptop, then your options are much more limited.
First, unplug your computer from the power source (you can't do this part with a laptop, but if you were to try, it's best to at least also remove the system battery first).
Next, open your computer case - this can vary depending upon the manufacturer and model. So, I can't tell you how - most have a couple screws holding things together, typically in the back of the computer. Some just have a little lever you push to open the case.
Next, look for your sound card. it will be the device your speakers are plugged into. If it is a separate card - plugged into a PCI slot (white most likely), then try taking the screw out that holds it (if has a screw - or whatever else the case emplementation is for keeping those in their slots, disconnect any wires from the back of the card, pull it out of the PC slot. Look it over, make sure the connections appear clean, and if you don't notice anything very odd about it from what you might expect, then try plugging it back in, then putting screw back into card or whatever clamp holds it there, then reconnect the speakers, then close the case, and then connect the power again. Start the computer back up. If still no sounds, and you've alreayd tiried the first 2 options (before number 3), then chances are the hardware is just dead. at tha tpoint, i'd jut look for another sound card - You shoudl be able to get a Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 1, 2, or 4 , for cheap, and sometimes you can find the X-Fi cards for cheap as well.
