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How can I tell if I have a soundcard?

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by drecollet, 2007/05/01.

  1. 2007/05/01
    drecollet

    drecollet Inactive Thread Starter

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    How can I tell if I have a soundcard? I know this should be a basic question but I've never had to look for one.

    The problem is I can't get any sounds out of my computer. How can I tell if I have speakers in my computer?
     
    drecollet,
    #1
  2. 2007/05/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    A physical examination of the rear of the computer should give you the answer ....

    Look for a number of jack sockets surrounded by pink, lime green, etc rings. These are the audio sockets and will either be on the mobo back panel - the recessed panel where the mouse, keyboard are plugged in along with the parallel port, etc (onboard audio chip)- speakers are plugged into lime green or on an expansion card to the right - same format as your video card, unless that is also onboard.

    If you don't have any physical speakers by the case they may be included in the monitor, but in any case the leads must be plugged into the lime green socket.

    Alternatively go Start > Run > type in msinfo32 > OK and System Information should open (assuming XP). Look under Components > Sound Device.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2007/05/02
    visionof

    visionof Inactive

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    first look at the back of your computer for any sound jacks

    either it will be on any area built into the computer or if it is a seperate card it will be on a card sitting in one of the slots
    Most budget computers now have sound cards built into them ( onboard).
    The most likely cause is that you do not have the sound card "device drivers" installed
    To tell to the my computer > right click > properties > hardware > device manager

    the list will be alphabetical

    look for sound devices
    check those to see if " the device is properly working "
    If there are question marks or asteriks it is not installed but the system knows that it is there

    you then have to install those programs ( device drivers ) to make you sound work
    - usually these products were made after the windows version was released

    - if you know the type of card you can hunt out the driver
    www.driverguide.com
    the manufacturer of the card or motherboard

    sometimes as in the case of hp/compaq they have an onsite listing in the support area of the updated drivers to download
    - install disk with computer may have drivers

    lastly look in the sound control to make sure the volume is turned up and not muted by accident.
    not all computers have built in sound speakers - even if you see a little speaker inside ( for the diagnostic beeps). You may have to test by adding an external speaker yourself.
    look for those jacks on the back of the computer
     
    visionof,
    #3

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