I can't get my Sound to work?

There are a few things you will need to check to make sure you have hooked up your audio correctly.

The first thing you need to check is if you using a Sound Card or Onboard Audio? If you are using a Sound Card make sure that your speakers are plugged into your sound card, and not your onboard audio. The sound card will be located below the video card in your PCI [PCI Express] slots.

Next check if you have configured your mixer device to your onboard audio, or your sound card in your audio configuration. To check this go:

START > SETTINGS > CONTROL PANEL > SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES:

Under VOLUME / DEVICE VOLUME make sure that "MUTE" is unchecked and then click the "ADVANCED" button at the bottom of the window. [Under speaker settings.]

Under "Advanced" click on the "PERFORMANCE" tab at the top of the window and, then click the "RESTORE DEFAULTS" button the bottom left of the window.

Click "OK" to go back to the "Audio Properties" window.

Now click the "ADVANCED" button in the middle of the window under the "Device Volume" section. This will bring up the "Volume Control" window.

Click OPTIONS > PROPERTIES and make sure "MIXER DEVICE" is set to SoundBlaster Audigy. [Or whichever brand sound card you are using. For this example I am using the Sound Blaster Audigy as it is a very common sound card.] Also make sure the "PLAYBACK" bullet is checked in the middle of the window.

Click "OK" to go back to the "Volume Control" window. Check each category and make sure that none of them have a check mark in the "MUTE" box underneath them.

Once you are done in the "Volume Control" window click the "X" in the upper right hand corner of the window to close the window. This should take you back to the "Sound & Audio Device Properties" window.

Click on the tab at the top of the window that says "AUDIO". Under AUDIO check the following options:

Make sure "SOUND PLAYBACK" and "SOUND RECORDING" are set to the SoundBlaster Audigy card and not some other setting [Once again the device listed here will be specific to which ever brand of sound cards you are using.]. You can toggle this in the drop down menu.

If you have followed the above steps correctly and have your speakers plugged into the correct audio port on the back of your system you should now have audio. Make sure to check, and recheck the settings I have listed above and make sure you have not toggled an option in those windows for "DIGITAL AUDIO" as this will prevent you from getting any audio playback. [DIGITAL AUDIO is only for use with digital coax or optical audio connections. There are some cases where that is not true but if you are using a higher end audio setup that requires this option you are probably very familiar with your audio properties in Windows.]

If you are still unable to get your audio to work after following these instructions you can contact the manufacturer for further troubleshooting assistance.

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