I hear quite regularly from readers who say their computers' speakers have stopped working. Well, if you have checked to make sure the speakers are properly connected to the PC, that their power switch is on, that their volume control is up, and that they are getting power from a plugged-in AC adaptor or a set of viable batteries, here's what to do next:

Double-click the speaker-horn icon in your System Tray (near the digital clock). This will display volume adjustments for five sound devices. Be sure that none has its Mute button checked and that the volume lever on each is at least half way up. If none of these steps produce sound, try playing a music file and look for the volume control on your Media Player. Make sure it is not set to zero.

If you still have no sound, it could be your audio card. Simultaneously press your keyboard's Windows key and Pause/Break key to display System Properties. Click Hardware>Device Manager, and click the plus sign (+) to the left of Sound, Video & Game Controllers. If any of the listed devices displays a yellow exclamation point, right-click it and choose Uninstall (or Delete). Finally, restart your computer.

If a sound device has somehow malfunctioned, the above procedure may fix it. If so, you will get a message saying "New hardware has been found & Windows is trying to reinstall it." No guarantee this will work, but I have seen it work many, many times.

If this procedure fails and you still see a yellow marker on the device's icon, you may have to install a replacement. Sound cards can be easily purchased and user installed in most desktop PCs. Laptops need to be taken to a technician. If you are unfamiliar with opening a tower and replacing parts, have a technician handle the situation.

If your Speaker icon is missing from your System Tray altogether, you can get it back as follows: Win98 users should click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Multimedia>Audio. Be sure the marker labeled "Show Volume Control on the Taskbar" is checked. WinXP users will click Start>Control Panel>Sounds & Multimedia and click on Sounds or Volume. Again, check the "Show Volume Control on the Taskbar> marker.