I don't know what's up, last week the monitor started saying "no signal" even though the cable is connected to the computer. Computer is running win XP, 512 MB RAM.

Another issue, my speakers don't work anymore What's happening, did I mysteriously lose some files?

Also on the issue about the speakers, if I go to start->My computer->device manager and look under audio devices how will I know if my sound software is still on the computer or not. If it has been zapped, where can I download a sound software thing from?

Maybe your video card is loose or something?

Inside your device manager, click on Scan for hardware changes. You would know then if you are missing some drivers because it will prompt you to install those.

Try uninstalling then reinstalling your sound card drivers. If your sound card is on-board your motherboard, you can find the drivers in the CD that went with your motherboard. If it's a separate audio card, you should have the CD that went with the card.

DukeZeus, where in device manager can I scan for hardware changes? I don't see an option to do that anywhere in device mananger, can you tell me the steps?

Also, I don't have the CD or anything that had the sound drivers on it. So is there somewhere I can download them from? Aren't sound drivers all the same?

Finally if I did a system restore to a date before last week would that fix the sound problem?

And do you have any suggestions what I do about the monitor saying no signal

DukeZeus, where in device manager can I scan for hardware changes? I dont see an option to do that anywhere in device mananger, can you tell me the steps?

Inside your device manager, after you click on the + beside sound, video and game controllers, you will see a new icon beside help (the one with a question mark). It looks like a monitor with a magnifying glass. That's the Scan for hardware changes icon, just click on it.


Also, I dont have the CD or anything that had the sound drivers on it. So is there somewhere I can download them from? Arent sound drivers all the same?

Not all sound drivers are the same. It would depend on the make and model of the sound card and on your OS. You can check the make and model of your sound card by opening your CPU casing. It should be on a sticker attached on your sound card. You can then Google for the drivers (e.g. Conexant 123ABC driver) or go to the manufacturer's website to download it. As for your OS, is it WinXP Home or Pro? SP1, SP2 or SP3? Make sure you download the driver for your OS.


Finally if I did a system restore to a date before last week would that fix the sound problem?

And do you have any suggestions what I do about the monitor saying no signal

It should, and perhaps it is the easiest way. But if it doesn't, you can try reinstalling it yourself.

As to the monitor, wait after the system install to see if that fixes it too. If it doesn't, make sure that the cable is attached tight, not loose, to your video card. If that doesn't work, perhaps your video card itself is loose. Detach and reattach it to its slot. Just make sure the CPU is unplugged from any power source before you do. If that doesn't work, you might want to look into the possibility of changing your video card for a new one.

Duke:

I will first do what you said about reseating the video card, hopefully thatll get the monitor back up. If it doesn't then I need to get a video card right? Does it matter which video card?

Once the monitor is back up, Ill try a system restore to see if that fixes the problem with the sound. If not then Ill look for the hardware changes like you said. If I do see a hardware change, what should I do?

If alls well with the hardware, then I guess Ill look at the sound card to find out what it is, and try and find the appropriate drivers and download and install them. That should fix it right?


By the way, it winXP professional SP2

Duke:

I will first do what you said about reseating the video card, hopefully thatll get the monitor back up. If it doesnt then I need to get a video card right? Does it matter which video card?

Yes, it matters. Try to check your motherboard manual on what it can handle. I forgot, try to see if the problem is with your monitor. Borrow a monitor and connect it to your computer. If the problem persists, I would say it's probably your video card.


Once the monitor is back up, Ill try a system restore to see if that fixes the problem with the sound. If not then Ill look for the hardware changes like you said. If I do see a hardware change, what should I do?

That means one of your drivers was uninstalled, if the driver has a question mark. If the driver has a yellow exclamation point, that means the driver is not the best for your device.


If alls well with the hardware, then I guess Ill look at the sound card to find out what it is, and try and find the appropriate drivers and download and install them. That should fix it right?


By the way, it winXP professional SP2

Yes, it should, if the problem's with your driver.