Desktop machine not giving out any sound!

geek84

Hi folks

I bought a Packard Bell desk top machine from PC World,in March. Up until now, I have only used it for surfing the web and emailing. However, now I want to catch up on some tv programmes that I missed and have found out that the desktop does not give out any sound.
When I bought the machine, I hasd the impression that most modern machines has speakers 'built in'.
Do I need to buy some external speakers in order to hear the sound? How can I make sure that there is nothing wrong with the software that is preventing from rhe sound being heard? I do not want to spend money on buying the speakers only to find out that there is a fault with the computer software!

Thanks in advance for your response.

GunJack

yes, you need external speakers or plug the audio output into your monitor's audio input and use the monitor's internal ones. LAptops are built-in, desktops not

.p.s. you probably had an audio lead with either the monitor or the pc, so probably no initial outlay.

In the meantime, check your sound drivers are installed in Devive Manager

kwikbreaks

Usually the only speaker built in is a tiny thing which beeps during POST if it detects a problem. You need speakers. It is possible that your monitor has some (usually low quality) ones built in and just needs a connecting lead.

geek84

Hi Foklks

Thank for your replies so far. How do I check that sound drivers are installed in Device Manager?

Thanks

GunJack

go to Control Panel > system > hardware > Device Manager. If there's a yellow triangle with a ! in it, it has a problem. If no triangles, everything should be installed ok. Also in control panel, go to sounds > advanced, and make sure there's a tick in the option to show the volume control in the notification area

diable

Have you turned the volume up?

TwistedPsycho

It might be an idea to check Control Panel > Sound as well. I have a USB XLR microphone and my computer loves to assign it as the default speaker as well!