Can't get sound to work

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anne Gaddis
  • Start date Start date
A

Anne Gaddis

It worked before, but my grandkids were over and I think they hit a wrong
key somewhere, now I can't the sound to work. Any help?
PS: I know it's not the "mute" key.
Anne
 
Before you go and start installing new drivers and things like that, check
the very basics first.

1. Make sure the speakers are turned on and turned up.
2. Make sure the speaker wire is plugged in the proper place behind the
computer. Green wire in the green hole.
3. Look at the speaker icon next to the clock and see if there is an X or no
sign over it. If there is an X that means you need to re-install your sound
driver. If there is a no sign the speakers are muted.
4. Restart your computer. You'd be surprised how many little problems a
simple restart will do.

Good luck.
 
Hi Anne--

I'd also try checking these items I use when sound is gone:

Check Device Manager to see if your driver is installed correctly. DM is
not reliable up through Vista if you can believe Redmond MSFT did that (they
did) for driver health (maybe next OS--Blackcomb/Vienna or some other ski
slope or city), but it is useful to see if a driver is installed and your
sound card entry is there.

In your run box type devmgmt.msc and see if you have a Sound, Video and Game
Controller Entry and expand it and see if your card is there>rt. click
it>properties>driver>driver details tab and see if drivers are installed.

Touch base with this checklist:

I Can't Hear Sound from My Vista PC:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/1e87a3e8-c0e8-49af-980f-9eb6686f42d21033.mspx

and this one:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/f76f244d-56db-4b68-b560-37eb4000253a1033.mspx

My personal ck. list:

1) Check connections from PC to your speakers and any other sound related
peripheral.
2) Ck Control Panel>Playback Tab>Rt. click Speakers and hit items on
context menu including Speaker Configuration and Test them; Click the
Properties button (lower rt. corner)>check the levels tab and make sure
nothing is preventing sound there particular the "Master" lever at the top.
Also on the Advanced tab check that the appropriate pull down menu item is
selected.
3) Get newest driver appropriate to your sound card by visiting the Sound
Card's website.


Some of these principles apply to Vista:

Resources for Troubleshooting Sound Problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307918/en-us

Good luck,

CH
 
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