Before you check the sound card, double check your sound properties. The sound may be mutted or set at 0%.
Click the speaker icon next to the clock. Make sure it's not mutted and the volume is set to a reasonable level.
Doubleclick the speaker icon to bring up the sound properties.
Unmute any mutted controll and adjust the various volume sliders.
If you still have no sound, open the "System" from the Configuration pannel. Sellect the "Material" tab and launch the "Device manager".
Check the "Audio, video and game controllers"
Is there ANY yellow "!"?
If there is, it means that you have some problem with the driver, or there is some conflicts. Double click the item concerned and look at the information provided. Click the "Resolve problems" button and follow the instruction of the trouble shooting wizard.
Go to www.dell.com, enter your computer model in the search box and download the latest drivers. Install them and reboot.
(when you have a dell, it's the FIRST place to look for any driver download)
If there is a red "X", it means that the device have been disbled.
Doubleclick it. On the bottom, there is a list set to "Don't use this device (disabled)"
Change it to:
"Use this device (enabled)"
Click OK.
Only IF all this fails to restore your sound should you look at changing your sound card.
Electro, May 2011
