Sound gone after move on Dell Computer

mark460

New Member
I have an older Dell with windows 98 for my daughter to learn on, etc. I moved it from one desk to another and now the sound doesn't work. I checked the sound system by plugging into separate CD player. I reloaded the soundblaster software. Could the jack have gone bad? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks
Mark
 
A dead jack is always a possibility, although not likely. Did you change any software or hardware during this "move" or was it literally moving from one room to another...?

Things to check:

>> Are the sp[eakers plugged into the right jack (the green one, should be labelled as Line Out)
>> Speakers are actually powered up?
>> Speakers still work (plug them into a different source, like an MP3 player)

If you check all of those things and it still doesnt work then you might consider buying a sound card, they cost very little, literally about £5-£10 for a cheap-o one of eBay (thats about $15-$20 incase you're in the US)

dragon2309
 
No, there wasn't any software change. What if I started unplugging stuff while the computer was on? Is there a possiblility of messing up the sound card or something?

Thanks
mark
 
Yes, I did use the green jack and also tried the others. I did double check the sound system by plugging into other source and it worked.

Thanks
Mark
 
No, there wasn't any software change. What if I started unplugging stuff while the computer was on? Is there a possiblility of messing up the sound card or something?

Thanks
mark
Not really, only if it was faulty before hand, lol

Yes, I did use the green jack and also tried the others. I did double check the sound system by plugging into other source and it worked.

Thanks
Mark
Okidoki

Try to take the sound card out and put it back in
As this is an old dell with windows 9x on it, i'm presuming this is the onboard sound, in which case buying a new PCI soundcard would be this guys best option...

Basically, PCI sound cards are so dirt cheap now it's almost not worht the hassle trying to fix it, and the sound quality will likely be far superior than an old onboard system.

Are you in the US or UK or elsewhere?

dragon

*EDIT* - this for instance - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-1-Surround-...0101700166QQcategoryZ3701QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
I'm in the US. Looks like there are plenty of inexpensive sound cards on ebay here in the US also.

Thanks
Mark
 
I took the sound card out and reinstalled and everything works now. I don't know why, but it is working. Thanks for the help.
 
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