Member Avatar for alex_lembovski

Okay so I'm no computer wiz, and I don't know what parts are in my computer and how old they are, but just a few months ago my computer was on it's way to hell from all the bugs that were in it. So I started fresh I re-input windows xp and started to fix my computer from there. But then out of the blue when I remembred to plug my speakers in... and there was no sound. This was very strang I tought because the computer had sound on it befor. So my queston is. Did I do something wrong when I was putting windows xp back on it? Or is the sound chip wacked? So if some one can help me out on this one that would be great. Thanks alot,

- Alex

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Good first steps from and — both hardware and configuration can look like a permanent failure but are often fixable. Below is a short, practical troubleshooting checklist that goes a bit deeper than “install drivers” or “check the mixer,” with the exact next actions to take and what each result means.

  1. Quick hardware isolate
  • Verify speakers are powered and use a known-good cable or headphones so the speakers themselves are not the fault. Try the rear green jack and a front jack (if available). If nothing at all plays, move to software checks.
  1. Identify the audio device (so you can get the correct driver)
  • Run dxdiag (Start → Run → dxdiag) and check the Sound tab for the device name.
  • Open Device Manager and look under “Sound, video and game controllers” or for any “Unknown/Other devices” with a yellow icon. Note the device name or Hardware Id shown in the properties; that string is what you use to locate the vendor driver.
  1. Settings and services to confirm (quick wins)
  • Confirm the Windows Audio service is running (services.msc) and that no playback device is disabled or set as non-default in Control Panel → Sounds and Audio Devices.
  • If the board has an onboard audio option, briefly check BIOS to ensure it’s enabled.
  1. Driver and install order advice
  • Match the driver to the exact audio chip or motherboard model (Realtek, VIA, SigmaTel, CMedia, etc.). Install chipset/motherboard drivers first, then the audio driver, then reboot. Avoid random “driver packs”; use the vendor or motherboard maker driver.

If those steps still show no device or sound, try a USB sound adapter or a Linux live CD to verify whether the problem is Windows-only or hardware failure. These targeted checks will show whether it’s a missing driver/configuration issue or a physical audio subsystem problem.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

You will need to download the sound drivers from either your motherboard manufacturers site (if its onboard) or the company that made the card if its a plug-in model.

Member Avatar for MidiMagic

Check your audio mixer first. It might have one or more sliders all the way down.

Or you plugged a speaker into a line out.

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