External sound lost on Inspiron 530 Desktop with Vista

[bowen]

Hi,
My computer went to the shop to get cleaned up due to its crashing a few times (not related to sound).
When the computer was reinstalled at home, it worked great but now there is no sound going to the external speakers.
(I  can hear an audible beep from within the computer itself, but when I try to view a video or
run Pandora, there is nothing from the external speakers.  (Pandora won't load, if that's of any help).

The guy in the shop isn't sure what it could be.  Any suggestions, please?

Bowen

[DaveLembke]

I would look into trying an updated driver.

[bowen]

Thanks,
Do you think something could have gone wrong with the driver, while the computer was being worked on for other issues?
Is this a Vista issue?

[Computer_Commando]

Depends on what they "worked on".  No, it's not a Vista "issue".

[jason2074]

When the computer was reinstalled at home

Was there a separate installation of Windows other than the shop repair thing? Check on your device manager for any marks or flags under Audio controllers. There is a chance that after installing, the device driver was not installed. Please post on your computer details/model/brand and or any soundcard added.

[bowen]

Hi,
I checked the Device Manager. It has Realtek Audio, but I was too nervous to 'search for updated driver'. 
It's a Dell Model, Inspiron 530, with Vista.  Would it be helpful or harmful to 'search for updated driver' ?
Thanks,,

[patio]

Your'e in luck as Dell makes it probably easier than anyone...
Travel to the Dell site and enter your service tag # and OS...all your drivers will be listed.

[bowen]

Thank you.  I'll pass that info along to the service guy...he didn't seem certain as to what to do to fix it...

[patio]

No problem...

However if he wants to stay as a Tech he should learn how to find update and install drivers...

Just sayin...

[bigbangnet]

I don't know about the case but if you sent your computer for cleanup, then that's what he did. I think he didn't do anything else. Also, when you reinstall your Windows, in lots of cases, you have to reinstall the drivers. Once installed and the speakers are plugged, the sound should work. That's how idiot Windows is these days.

[patio]

All of this has already been illustrated...

Carry on though.

[bowen]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I agree that the tech should have known about the drivers, etc.