No sound on laptop

[macgee]

I have a dell Vostro running Vista. The sound has just packed up suddenly. Have I inadvertantly touched a wrong button? or is it the 'soundcard ' whatever that is. Any suggestions would be garetfully received.

[RAV1D]

First thing to check is if you have put it on mute. Maybe you have a mute button on your keyboard and have pressed it. You can see your sound settings in control panel menu and see if the mute box is ticked.

[Whickerman]

Just in case you can't find that ^^^ (if you've never used it before you may not know ehere it is) look down bottom right and see the clock. There's a little speaker symbol. (If you can't see it, hit the little round arrow button to see more icons.) Then double click on it. If you click only once you'll get a volume button and a mute box to tick/untick, but double clicking will open up a much wider range of sound options, each wit their own mute tick box. Make sure none of them is ticked - any one will make your system lose sound.

[chrisrob]

I had a similar problem a couple of months ago. And then I discovered it was a piece of software I'd downloaded supposed to be able to record anything I believe. Sorry can't remember the details now. But have you downloaded anything recently? If so it may be worth trying uninstalling that?

[gina32]

ive just had this problem with my desktop and was on the phone to the helpline when id finished my oh asked what was wrong and when i told him he said, why dont you put the volume up then! dont you just love them!

[Buenchico]

Try reinstalling the sound driver.

Start here:
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/
If you can find the service tag, use that route. Otherwise click Select Model > Laptops > Vostro Laptop > Your model number > Confirm
Check that Windows Vista 32-bit is shown (unless, unusually, you've got the 64-bit version)
Click the arrow next to 'Audio'.
Click 'Download', then (if you're offered a choice) the lower 'Download' link.
Click 'Save File'.
Navigate to a suitable location for the file. (Your desktop is as good as anywhere).
Click 'Save'.
When the file has downloaded, double-click on it to run the driver installation program.
When that's been done, restart your laptop.
(You can delete the installation file then, if you want to).

Chris

[macgee]

Many thanks to all of you. I have just carried out your suggestion Buenchico
and about 5 minutes ago I restarted and ...Hey Presto!! I have sound.
It will teach me not to press buttons without knowing what they do.
Briliant and thanks again.

[sith123]

i know what it is...you have to turn the volume up

[macgee]

thanks sith123. When I read that I just laughed so much, it was so funny and original and you really must have had a very long career as an intellectual.

well you started it......

[sith123]

lol, did i notice a hint of sarcasim in there?