Stupid Computer Speakers... stupid storm - Tech Support Forums

ordinaryfemale · July 3rd, 2005, 11:34 AM

A storm blew through unexpectedly. It knocked out our DSL modem, our speakers and the DVD player to our TV. I have replaced the modem and it works just fine. Am I going to be able to JUST replace the speakers or am I going to have to replace the card? It doesn't show my speakers as existing on the system. I have unplugged, and relugged and restarted. I have tried to run a trouble shooter. The computer doesn't even "appear" to play a sound. Somebody help me PLEASE!!

**Martoch** · July 3rd, 2005, 11:36 AM

What kind of computer do you have? Dell, Gateway, custom built, etc? If it's a Dell or Gateway (or any other brand), please post up your exact model #.
What Windows version are you using?

First thing you should do is look in your device manager to see if you have any yellow exclamation points there indicating some sort of hardware problem. If you're on Windows XP...right click 'my computer' and select propertes...then click the 'hardware' tab...then click 'device manager'.

ordinaryfemale · July 3rd, 2005, 11:37 AM

it is custom built and I am running XPSP2

**Martoch** · July 3rd, 2005, 11:38 AM

Is it onboard audio? Sound card?
(see my edit above for more info)

I can't watch this thread any longer...I have family stuff to attend do...plenty of good folks around to help though.

ordinaryfemale · July 3rd, 2005, 11:42 AM

There are no yellows, because it simply isn't recognizing the speakers. So there's no need to install a driver or anything like that. Not on hardware that doesn't exist. And my computer guy said the sound card is on the mother board *tries to look smart but the confused look seeps through*

**Martoch** · July 3rd, 2005, 12:09 PM

When you go into the 'sounds and audio devices' in control panel, what shows up under the 'audio' tab under Sound Playback Default Device?

ordinaryfemale · July 3rd, 2005, 12:14 PM

Intel something or other... but I have a Creative speaker set up

elroy · July 3rd, 2005, 12:32 PM

The speakers will not show up on Device Manager, they never do. I would guess if the speakers blew so did the onboard sound. If so, you'll need to buy a PCI sound card and install it if you have an open PCI slot.

RedFury · July 3rd, 2005, 12:49 PM

I'm dealing with something similar. Speakers are easy to figure out if they work, just plug them into your personal CD player, MP3 player, what-not and use them instead of headphones. If they work, then you can rule them out. If the sound card then appears to be the culprit, then you may want to remove the sound card from the device manager, restart the computer and see if it is redetected. If it isn't, you can probably assume the worst.

Don't fret! Sound cards are cheap, and you will probably upgrade yourself by quite a bit moving off the motherboard to a PCI sound card. Lots of good sound cards out there, ask around for suggestions and we can certainly find a brand and type that will get you up and running fast and easy. I personally don't care for onboard sound all that much...seems my systems run faster with a sound card off the motherboard.

My problem is, I've got a relatively expensive sound card, and it sounds like Eminem is singing into a tin can and playing an electric violin, with a heavy bass beat

ordinaryfemale · July 3rd, 2005, 12:59 PM

oh lord... just my luck