Where has the sound gone?

[Flocci]

Ever since we got the PC about 2 years ago the sound has been very poor through the speakers ie with everything turned up to max you could just about hear it. Then last week we could hear nothing at all. Have just bought some new speakers and I know they are working as I checked them on a different PC but still nothing.

Could it be that there is something on the PC itself that is not letting the sound get out IYSWIM?

Q1:
Assuming the sound output on the PC is colour coded are you plugging the speakers into the Light Green socket? (Labelled "Front" or a circle with and arrow coming out of it)? Since you say that you have tested the speakers elsewhere I assume they are plugged together correctly.

Q2:
Are you plugging the speaker lead all the way into the socket. Most Stereo 3.5mm jacks have a double click to get all the way in?

Q3:
Are your new speakers independently powered? If they are then you need to turn them on. If they aren't then you may find your PC isn't outputting enough voltage to drive them.

Q4:
This is a technical one... (Assumes Windows XP)
In Control Panel, double click "Sounds and Audio Devices".
On the Volume Tab:
(a) Mute must not be ticked.
(b) Click Device Volume "Advanced" button.
In the Master Volume window that appears set the Master Volume to about 50% and set the WAV volume to 100%. No Mute boxes should be ticked (apart from maybe Microphone or Line In). Set all other sliders to 50%.
Clicking on the Master Volume slider should make the system default "Bong" sound.

Q5:
All of the above failed? Then get a techy friend to check your sound hardware configuration and drivers.

For WAV read "Wave" - sorry.

Thanks for such a detailed reply. I have tried all of the above and nothing has changed. I am now in search of a techy friend. Failing that we are going to have to go through the Yellow Pages I think and pay someone to come and sort it. It's so annoying, and probably very simple to someone in the know.