Vista Ultimate - no sound

[Silas]

I have Vista Ultimate desktop pc but have no sound.  The sound icon in the taskbar does not have a red X on it and is not mute - any idea what is wrong please?  My speakers worked OK with my old XP pc.

[downside]

Silas

In Control Panel you should have an icon for Sounds and Audio Devices.

Check the settings.

Also check Device Manager to see if there are any problems there.

[Silas]

Thanks Downside, will do that.  Cheers.

[Silas]

Done that Downside and both say everything is working properly!  But it isn't.  Perhaps I need a soundcard thingy?  Thank you though.

[Nick29]

Many PC's these days have the sound built into the main computer board.  Have you got the speakers plugged in to the correct socket ?  It should be the green one.

 

[Silas]

Yes Nick, I am plugged into the green one.  Think I either need new speakers (these came with my XP pc), or a soundcard.  Thanks for replying.

[RJ_Paton]

Yes Nick, I am plugged into the green one.  Think I either need new speakers (these came with my XP pc), or a soundcard.  Thanks for replying.

Very few desktop computers these days come without some form of sound system , either as suggested a mother board based system or a soundcard. if you are able to plug speakers into the socket in the rear of the computer this suggests that you already have one or the other and no need to install a new card.(as yet)

Changing from XP to Vista would have no effect on peripherals such as speakers and possibly the speakers have developed a fault. Check this either by trying alternatives or a set of headphones before buying a new pair.

If the speakers are powered make sure the power connection is secure (or that they have new batteries)

or if possible check the speakers with some other system to see if they are working. - If they are working properly then the finger points back at the computer and we can then take it from there

[Nick29]

Yes Nick, I am plugged into the green one.  Think I either need new speakers (these came with my XP pc), or a soundcard.  Thanks for replying.

If your PC has a green socket, then you already have a soundcard.  If the sound is part of the main board, then you may need to reinstall the software which came on a CD with the main board, or with the PC itself.

[Silas]

Thank you Falkryn and Nick.  Will look into all your suggestions. The speakers are not powered.  I do not have the CD that came with the pc as it was bought off Ebay when it was 6 months' old.  I will await a visit from my son who has the same computer and let you know what the problem was.  Thank you everyone.