mixedmedia

My daughter had a friend attempt to put a network card into my computer last night. When they put it in, the computer malfunctioned somehow so they took it out. This morning I opened up my iTunes to listen to some music and discovered that I have no sound. No sound whatsoever. The computer seems to think it is generating a signal, but nothing comes out of either the speakers or the headphones. I went through a HP troubleshooting process but could not find the solution.

About four months or so ago, my computer was hit by lightning blowing out my ethernet connection and discoloring my monitor (which came back). My daughter's boyfriend is telling me that the loss of sound is due to the lightning strike that just so happened to kick in when they opened up the box and put the card in. This doesn't make any sense to me.

Can anyone tell me what the problem might be? Any ideas on how to fix it? I'm not very computer savvy, so forgive my ignorance of certain concepts and terminology. But frankly, I'm kind of pissed off. My computer is basically my stereo and I listen to music *alot.* They're being kind of nonchalant and dismissive about it. Damn, meddlesome kids.

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Manic_Skafe

System specs?

I'd first make sure any sound cards are properly seated and that your speakers are plugged in.

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Hain

I'm assuming you have made sure that it isn't muted, the drivers are available and working, and some programs can see that you have a sound driver present. Here are some thoughts that come to mind.

1. Make sure that the 1/8th-inch speaker cable is plugged in
2. Make sure the speakers work (plug into a different computer or stereo out system)
3. From here on you have to pop the box open. If you have an external sound card, make sure that is in the slot all the way (maybe he dicked it out installing/uninstalling the NIC)
4. Try putting the Sound card in a different slot - Not going to happen if the card is internal on your motherboard.

He might have shorted the Sound card. If you can access another computer, pop it in there and try to install it and see if it works. I recommend getting a tech savvy friend, tech savvier than me, for suggestions C and D.

Well that's your problem there! iTunes! //joking, hates iTunes, grumbles//

I honestly recommend trying to play sound through a different player.

And you would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for them and their dog too!


Also, try running a diagnostic with this tool here. You can post that in here, but DO IT WITH [CODE] inside [HIDE=Everest Home Report] tags. No sense in filling up the whole thread space with one post miles long.

And if this fails, bring the little prick over and tell him he broke it, he'll fix it. It worked fine before he dicked with it, regardless if it was the lightning strike.

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biznatch

Before you touch any of the boards inside the computer, a good idea is to touch a metal surface. Usually there is one on the side that pops out of your computer, just touch it with both hands at the same time to get rid of any static electricity.
Static shocks could ruin some of the boards in there.

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