how come my new desktop speakers don't work?

Question

we used to have a cambridge soundworks surround sound speakers system on our home desktop. we moved, the plug for the system is lost, and now i really want sound, so i plugged some desktop speakers into the back of the computer, plugged them in, turned them on. no sound. i already checked the volume on the system is on (not muted) and changed the speaker system from 5.1 to desktop speakers through control panel. still nothing.

can anyone PLEASE tell me what to check next, i really want sound on my computer!! (incidentally, when i plug headphones in through the usb port, we get sound ... i unplugged them though, just in case it was interfering with speakers).

thanks!

thanks, i just tried to check the audio tab, i have it on the default, which is something like SB Live! Wave Device, but there is no other choice in the pulldown tab. the speakers I'm using now just say CA.

thanks all - i finally turned around the back of the CPU and found that there were two green areas to plug into - i was plugged in one, without sound; so i changed it to the other plug, and got sound. must be the sound card slots? anyways, thanks again for the quick responses!

Answer 1

It sounds like this might be a case of one cable that can fit into too many plugs.

There are usually between 2 and 5 plugs on modern sound cards. Some speakers can take advantage of all of these plugs, but others can't. A 5.1 speaker setup would probably use most of them while a simpler 2 speaker setup would probably only use one. The catch is that that one cable could fit into any of the plugs. The best thing to do is check the manual for the speakers or the computer to see what plug to use. However, in general the green cable should go into the green plug for simple 2 speaker systems. You could also just try each plug until you hear sound.

Oh and make sure to check the volume on the speakers themselves.

Answer 2

First you opt on the suitable cables. the finest capacity is that if your computer and lcd television have HDMI ports. which you may purchase passable wonderful HDMI Cables on Amazon for $3 consisting of delivery in case you're utilising abode windows Vista, you will then would desire to visit the manage panel and seek for the sound option, then %. your television audio gadget because of the fact the default. for people who don't have an HDMI port, then you particularly're going to would desire to purchase a cable as a thank you to plug into the speaker port on your computer on one end, and the audio enter ports on your lcd television on the different, if it even has any. Ask for help at a close-by great purchase or Radio Shack; i'd deliver your television and computer with you.

Answer 3

Try this: Double click on the Speaker Icon next to the clock in the lower right corner.
In the new Window click on "Options" and check ""Extended Options" (or something similar. I'm using a German Windows).

This should give you a button below your main volume slider.
Click it and uncheck the option to use only Digital Sound.

Answer 4

Check your sound and audio devices settings ( control panel> sounds speech and audio devices>sounds and audio devices>audio tab and then check in the drop down boxes to make sure you have the correct settings.