Speakers won't connect properly to computer's sound card through headphone jack

[mcfarlanem27]

My speakers are connected to my computer's sound card through the headphone jack. Though the sound would occasionally drop out during the course of a session, tapping the chassis gently would generally restore it. This is no longer the case. I can only hear through the computer's internal speakers. What can I do to restore the connection? 

[Raptor]

Sounds like the soundboard got loose or the jack needs resoldering.

[Darthgumby]

If you're on a tower, you should be OK to buy a cheap replacement sound card and plug your speakers into that in the back - that my first thought.  Otherwise if you are on a laptop, they do make a USB plug with a sound card built in - headphone and speaker jacks.

http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cable_details.cfm?sku=USBG-X2X&cats=121&catid=121%2C136%2C134

[rthompson80819]

Since the machine has internal speakers, the odds are that it's a laptop.  Before I tore the machine apart I would try another set of speakers.