no sound, no "tech' skills

I had to do a complete restore and since there's been no sound. The computer tells me I have no audio devices. The volume control etc are just kind of greyed out and not adjustable.

 

Welcome to MajorGeeks!
Sounds like you need to install the audio drivers. If you don't have the CD with the drivers, you can download them from the company that made your computer, or from the people who made the video card.

What motherboard and sound card do you have? Or is the sound on the motherboard?

E

 

You Could Try to click on Start, Run, type in devmgmt.msc
click OK, this opens the Device Manager, Click on the plus sign (+) next to Sound, video and game controllers, although it should already be open with the devices that need drivers having a yellow questionmark as I recall. Right click on each item in question and choose Update Driver, that opens the Hardware Update Wizard. The first time through choose Yes, this time only, Next>, Install the software automatically (Recommended), Next>, the Wizard will search for the driver in question. If that doesn't work and you don't have a floppy or CD with the drivers on it (Dell sends them out with the computer), open the Wizard again and choose Install from a specific location (Advanced), Next>, choose Don't search, I will choose the driver to install. Next>, you should be shown a list of drivers to install and make sure the box next to Show compatible hardware is checked. From the listing in Device Manager you should be able to tell which driver it is. Highlight the driver you want to install, (hopefully it is digitally signed) and choose Next>.
If you need to try the sound card manufacturers web site for the driver but don't want to open up your machine Belarc Advisor should be able to tell you the sound card you have installed.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1385
Hope it works out. You may also need to choose the correct device to use in Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, under the Audio tab.
Bug

 

My computer is a very inexpensive emachine. Will have to do for now.

I looked under under "legacy audio drivers" the properties for the audio devices says:
Creative EMU10K1 Audio Processor (WDM) Status: Driver is enabled but not sunctioning properly.The Hardware Wizard says there are no drivers better than the ones I already have.

Multimedia Audio Controller is not functioning, no driver.

PCI Bridge Device same as above.

PCI Simple Commumications Controller Same as above.

Bus Controller Video Controller (NGA Compatable) Same as above.

 

Try this:http://www.symplisit.com/en/drivermagic.html
This will help you resolve the problem.I use this for 3 years and I'm veeeery satisfied with this soft.Even have driver back up,so if something goes wrong simply reinstal and it's done.