1. Choose Start➪Control Panel➪Hardware and Sound, and then click the Device Manager link.

2. In the resulting Device Manager window, click the plus sign icon to the left of Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.

3. Right-click the sound card listed there and choose Properties.

4. In the resulting Audio Controller Properties dialog box, on the Driver tab, make sure the fourth button down says Disable (meaning the device is currently enabled). If it says Enable, click on it.

5. If you want to make changes to the driver, click the Update Driver button.

6. When you’re done making settings, click OK. Read your users’ manual before doing this procedure. Some sound cards are built into the motherboard, but others require that you take some steps to disable the old card before installing the new. If you’re having trouble getting sound, remember the basics: You have to have speakers connected to your computer, and the volume setting on your computer can’t be muted. If you neglect to properly set either of these two vital requirements, don’t be ashamed — just about everyone has done it, myself included!