bad install

[jabberwock486]

i am working on a dell computer that has never had sound. I went to check in the device manager but nothing shows up. i tried to use add new hardware and nothing happens.
i tried reinstalling the drivers, but nothing
i even updated and reinstalled direct X

this isn't my system so i am not sure what all is or has been on here. i did remove spyware but this does not sem to be related. owner said there has never been any sound. speakers are working and are correctly pluged in

I am more concerned about the device manager not showing anything and the fact i can't use "add new hardware"

This is windows XP home edition
computer is a dell dimension 2350
any ideas what is wrong here, besides winXP

[himerus]

Is the sound card built into the motherboard, or is it a separate PCI card?

Check the BIOS on boot to see if sound has been disabled. I don't think this would be the case if the hardware doesn't show up, but if you throw a PCI sound card into a system with built in sound, you will often times need to disable the on-board sound.

If the sound card isn't built in, do you know what kind of card it is?

[rixius]

If it is onboard sound, you will have to search for the sound drivers appropriate to your motherboard. For MSI motherboards, I recommend using AVANCE audio.