speakers don't work with new PC

I bought a new Compaq Presario with Windows XP Home. I only bought the tower, since I already had speakers and a monitor. My speakers don't work now.

 

Only 2 possible explanations.
1) Your speakers are plugged into the wrong jack
2) Your sound card doesn't work

How to fix:
Switch jacks. If that doesn't work try your speakers on another computer

Hex92

 

the speakers worked on my old computer. My question is: does it have anything to do with the XP OS? Would the sound card included with the new computer be only for the speakers that were being sold with it, or doesn't it matter?

 

If you have them plugged into the right place on your sound card and you get no sound look at the volume control to see that it is set OK and not muted. Also if they are powered speakers are they plugged into the wall and turned on or if battery powered are the batteries OK.

 

Some of the old speaker got their ( DC )power from the Sound card in which got it's (DC)power from the mother board and so on. The new Module's of PC's use power supplies on the speakers it selves. Look on your old speakers and see if it has a Place to plug external (DC) power into it. If so Check your voltage and Go to radio shack or rob it off another device around your house and plug it in. This will solve your problem.

 

Also, if your pc has onboard sound, and a sound card, then it could be that:

The speakers are plugged into the onboard sound, and it isn't enabled.

Or, the speakers are plugged into the sound card, and the on board sound is enabled.

Have you tried another set of speakers?

 

I've ask this before - and I'm asking again...

What brand and model are those speakers - if you are trying to connect Digital only speakers to an analog output - IT WILL NEVER WORK.

Example Boston Accustics BA-635 & BA-735
(note some have both digital and analog - but you must change the cable...)

 

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I moved and my computer was unhooked, and then I was on vacation. The speakers are Labtec speakers. They came with my first Compaq computer; 5220. I now have a Compaq 4400US Series 4000. I tried a different set of speakers that were older than these and they didn't work either. I believe I have Soundmax Digital Audio sound card. That is the only selection I get when I go to the control panel.

 

I have SoundMax Digital with my new machine. No problems.

Try going to Device Manager by rt clicking on "My Computer" and then properties. On Sound, video, and game controllers rt click on properties and inspect the sound category to verify device is working properly. Also there is a choice to update drivers. There may be a compatible driver with your system if the present driver is the problem.

 

Very simple explanation. If you have a digital sound card and have digital sound enabled, you need to get an adapter plug for your speaker jack. Note: you will see two small black rings around the jack on the labtec speakers. These seperate ground, left+ and right+. A digital speaker jack looks like an older mono plug.

Short of buying an adapter plug, take the check mark out of the digital output only box (double click speaker icon in taskbar and select playback - advanced features) and use your old labtecs or any other stereo speakers.