Help with PC audio

Lisa · May 31, 2011, 08:39:30 PM

We appear to have lost our audio system on our PC. Does anyone know how we can re install this and what we need to do this? we are running Windows XP

rossonza · May 31, 2011, 09:14:06 PM

Lisa,

Is everything else working without issue? do you still have the "little speaker" icon in the bottom right handside of the taskbar?

Is this a home built or store bought PC?

Audio is usually included with whats known as the chipset drivers. Do you know your motherboard make/model? (google cpu-z)

probedb · June 01, 2011, 01:11:17 PM

Sometimes drivers need reinstalling. You\'d first have to find out what audio drivers you need and go from there.

Lisa · June 01, 2011, 07:30:35 PM

Quote from: rossonza;766075Lisa,

Is everything else working without issue? do you still have the "little speaker" icon in the bottom right handside of the taskbar?

Is this a home built or store bought PC?

Audio is usually included with whats known as the chipset drivers. Do you know your motherboard make/model? (google cpu-z)

Hi

I do not have the speakers in the taskbar at the right hand side anymore (did have!) It is a home built computer by someone, it has been working fine until last week when Clive watched a video and somehow has lost the audio

Where do we go from here?

carlbrainiac · June 01, 2011, 07:56:36 PM

When he watched the video did he turn the sound down on the video? Sometimes when watching videos on websites and they are really loud you turn down what you think is just turning down the volume of the video but somehow this can sometimes turn down your actual sound settings on the pc. So then when you exit that video the sound also is faint or non existant in other applications. I would advise watch that same video again and turn the sound right up. See if that helps. Could be just that simple. Failing that go into control panel and access sound settings and just see what they are set at. Make sure they arent muted etc

Lisa · June 01, 2011, 08:57:34 PM

Quote from: carlbrainiac;766334When he watched the video did he turn the sound down on the video? Sometimes when watching videos on websites and they are really loud you turn down what you think is just turning down the volume of the video but somehow this can sometimes turn down your actual sound settings on the pc. So then when you exit that video the sound also is faint or non existant in other applications. I would advise watch that same video again and turn the sound right up. See if that helps. Could be just that simple. Failing that go into control panel and access sound settings and just see what they are set at. Make sure they arent muted etc

Thanks but when I go into the control panel under audio I cannot access any settings as the boxes are faded out so cannot change anything, do I not just need to reinstall the drivers? if so what one and how?

carlbrainiac · June 01, 2011, 09:35:47 PM

Ahh yeah if the boxes are faded out your PC has forgotten it has a sound card. Brilliant technolgy is isnt it. A wonderful thing lol. If you say your PC was a custom build do you still have the boxes what all the components came in? If you can find the Sound card one should hopefully also still have the installation CD Rom. Just put that in and re-install the drivers.

Lisa · June 01, 2011, 09:53:21 PM

Hi

Custom built, parts fromEbay buit do not have the boxes or CD rom, was built some time last year

carlbrainiac · June 01, 2011, 10:11:29 PM

Ok not a big deal. Theres a driver website thought cant for the life of me remember its name. Im sure someone on here will enlighten us. Failing that just google it. Thats assuming you know what sound card it is? If not there is a way to find out by typing dx diag in the start menu "run" section which brings up your PC spec. However Im not sure if the sound card will show up if the drivers are gone. But it should do. I think the dx diag tells you what hardware is on the mother board. Regardless of whether the drivers are there or not.

carlbrainiac · June 01, 2011, 10:12:58 PM

ahh just remembered. download.com

carlbrainiac · June 01, 2011, 10:18:38 PM

sorry dxdiag should be all one word. No space between dx and diag

carlbrainiac · June 01, 2011, 10:51:25 PM

Sorry just realised I forgot the classic lines when it comes to computer issues.

1) Is it plugged in?
2) Have you tried turning it off and back on again?

lol

Lisa · June 02, 2011, 10:00:13 PM

I have run dxdiag and there is no sound card? What do I do now anyone?

carlbrainiac · June 02, 2011, 10:59:46 PM

Old fashioned way then. Physically take the side of the pc off. Look inside and see if you can read a name and model on the sound card itself. You should be able to tell which card is your soundcard as it will be where you plug in your headphones, mircophones, line in / out etc. Usually the headphones / speaker socket is a small green circle around the socket. Then pink for the mic. And err cant remember the other one. Maybe a light blue? If you cant read what it says on the card whilst in the machine its pretty obvious how to remove it to see it clearer. Just make sure the machine is unplugged from the mains and try not to touch any contacts obviously. This will also be a good oportunity to blow out the dust in the machine. You\'d be amazed how much the fans suck up and this can over time easily cause over heating.

jackaleks · June 05, 2011, 01:25:17 PM

Quote from: carlbrainiac;766630Old fashioned way then. Physically take the side of the pc off.

always remember to earth yourself before you touch anything inside a box; just touch the power pack to get rid of any static you might have built up on your hands.

new sound cards can be had for pennies unless you\'re doing high-end audio editing. i\'d probably just buy a new one.

Help with PC audio

probedb