I've got a hp a730n and need to know how to connect the sound card to the motherboard. I'm great with software, but the hardware part is where I default to the smart ones! Please help!! I'd love to hear my music again.

I'm to lazy to go into my computer but its pretty easy actually. Here's a link so I don't confuse you :P
Replacing a Sound Card - Illustrated How to Install a Sound Card Replacement (http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_sound.htm)

*EDIT* that link is sort of confusing after I looked at it. The sound card has those pink green and blue/black ports (usually) that you plug your speakers / headphones into. You put the sound card in a PCI slot (there should be a few lined up so you know what ones it is. Don't get it confused with the AGP slot which is usually offset a little from the PCI slots and usually a different color too.

Motherboard (http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mothboar.htm) where it says Bus/ Expansion connections, those 3 long white slots are PCI slots, you can see the AGP slot which is black/brown and offset a little from them. Remember to plug the sound card into the pci slots :)

Thanks... got in and everything looks good there. Still tinkering...

OK... I'll expand on the problem.
1) there is no speaker icon in the system tray
2) "No Active Mixer Devices" error (?? What?? )
3) "PCI Device Drivers Not Installed" (uh, are too)
4) Other Devices in the Device Manager shows PCI Device with a yellow ?
5) Sounds and Audio Device Properties shows Volume, Audio and Voice greyed out
6) Hardware tab shows all devices working properly
7) Me, I'm looking frazzled and miffed.
8) Internally, the sound card is there all happy and slotted correctly

*growls and leaves the room till attitude improves*

mmmm sounds like the drivers aren't installed =/ lol
I forgot if there is a windows update you have to get first whenever you newly format that puts the speaker icon in the system. GL with your problem though I'll keep trying to help :P