Click here for the first article in this series.

However, that still doesn't mean that you will necessarily hear any sound. Computers are ornery, and just because you are supposed to have sound doesn't mean that you will have sound. Here's how to test the sound in your system:

Turn the computer back on. Double click a sound file and listen for music. If you hear music, then your sound is obviously working. If not, you will have to continue with the rest of these instructions.

Yes, I know what you're thinking. What's a sound file? Let's go back a bit and explain how to find it.

Click on the Start button on the bottom of your screen, and then on Find. In the window entitled Named: click Files or Folders, then type MID*.*; WAV*.*

Don't worry what that code means. Accept it, and realize that it will help us get to our next stage.

Just to clarify - you are typing the letters MID, and then (without a space) type an asterisk, a period, and another asterisk, followed by a semi-colon, the letters WAV, and then an asterisk, a period, and an asterisk. It's probably best to select that code, click Edit-Copy, and then paste it in the appropriate window.

Further down in that dialogue box, where it says Look In: scroll up until you can select My Computer.

The computer will grind away for a little while. After some time, you should see a list of files at the bottom of this window. Each file may have a little musical note next to it.

Double click a file to check for sound in your computer. If one doesn't work, try another one or two (the file itself may be defective).

If you have sound, then everything is OK, although you may have to adjust certain settings.

Click here for the next article in this series, which will give additional suggestions for making the sound work on your computer.

Click here for other articles on caring for your computer.

Click here for articles on computer multimedia.