Q: I got a new computer and am trying to install my speakers. I plugged them into the computer and a power strip, but they don't seem to be working. What do I do? (If you need more information, just let me know in your post.) My computer was built for me by a friend, so I don't believe there is a specific make, though I do know I have Microsoft XP. All the cords for my speakers are connected and the power light seems to be on. When I make the volume higher, it gives me static, so I believe it should work, but no sound other than that will come out. Oh, and I don't know if the speakers came with anything since they used to be my brother's and the worked fine. Do I need to find anything that came with them? What are drivers? Everything is connected as far as I can see. When I went to Sounds and Audio Devices, at the very top of the volume tab, it says No Audio Device. Most of the boxes are grayed out. Thanks for your help, but I think I'm going to end this question and have someone who can see the computer (and I can have a conversation with) help me. But thanks for your help!
A: 1. It is always good to know which sound card and what speakers we are dealing with (make and model of the computer -- if like a dell or HP-- or of the sound card). 2. Did the speakers come with drivers (on a disk)? If not, some have two connections that have to be made. One is into the sound card (green plug into green jack on the back of the computer) and some have a USB cable as well. 3. Are the speakers getting power (power light on)? Do the speakers have separate volume control? --Will watch for additional details and update then. Update: Since we at least know you are running Windows XP, we can check a couple of things there as well. 1. Did you check to make sure the speakers are plugged into the green jack on the back of the computer? Did you try putting a CD or something to play music (easiest item to have in the computer to test speakers). 2. Go into Start | Control Panel | Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices. Click on Sounds and Audio Devices. Then on the Audio Tab. What is listed in the box: Sound playback "Audio Device"? (this will give us an idea of the sound card that is installed plus let us know if one is installed.) If it says something like "modem" click on the down arrow to the right and see if there is any option for: X (name of the card) Audio. If not then the sound card drivers are not installed. If it does list some thing like "X audio" then click on Volume tab and make sure it isn't muted here and that "show volume on taskbar" is check. Also go into the "Speaker Volume" settings and check that. BTW Drivers are the software that allows Windows communicate with items in the computer and attached to the computer. Not all speakers require drivers. --Will watch for any additional information. ***Update 2: *** You will need to contact your friend who built the computer for you and find out what kind of sound card it has on it. The sound card drivers are not installed which is why you do not have sound. If it has one built on the motherboard (integrated) then I will just need the make and model of the motherboard to help you get drivers. If he actually put a sound card in, he should be able to tell you the make and model of the sound card.