My PC wont play game sounds

[larz]

Yes it wont play game sounds but it playz startup sounds like "the melody when windows starts up and the bleep when someone on my STEAM friend list just came online,etc..., but every time i try to play any computer game, not just those invovling STEAM i get absolutely no sound from my speakers. I have checked to see of everything was plugged in right and it was,I have restarted my PC twice and have done thorough spyware scans,and have checked the sound settings on my PC as well as in the games and everything seems to be in order.

Any ideas??

[OmegaZero_Alpha]

steps for solving a varied volume error:

1.Go to the volume control (start>accecories>entertainment)
2.find the bar that is titled [Wave]
3. make sure the volume i all ofthe way up and that its not muted.

to solve a driver error:
CD method A (autorun):
1.Find the CD or floppy that came with your computer and holds all of your drivers (or just the sound card drivers, if its a dell the disk should be green).
2.if it is autorun it should start a window as soon as the CD is inserted, if that does not happen within 10 minutes referre [CD method B].
3. choose to install your soundcars.

CD method B (manual):
if the volume control and [CD method A] have failed:
1. Find your soundcard under [sounds and audio devices]
a. you should have a device under default device in the audio tab.
b. if there is no device under the audio tab, ignore [c.].
c. if there is, find that SAME EXACT device under hardware, double click it.
2. install your new driver.your driver was under the hardware tab in sounds and audio devices, and you selected it (click,click)
a.window should pop-up.
b. in this window go to the [drivers] tab
c.select update driver
d. have it search the CD drive to install the driver automatically
3. IF you couldnt find your driver:
a.go to add hardware in your control panel
b.a prompt should come up showing you a list of hardware that wasnt properly installed, find your soundcard, double click.
c.go to update driver.
d. have it search the CD drive to install the driver automatically

Internet method A:
1.go to any driver website (google "sound card drivers")
2.download the most current driver that fits your sound card.
3.install according to directions (it should be an application)
a. if it isnt than unzip it to your desktop.
b. follow steps b and c for CD method b, this time have it look on your desktop.


Internet method B (dell):
1. use the diagnostic program that came with your computer

internet method C (another dell):
1. go to their website, find the driver there (you should have to put in a code off of your case)

[larz]

i aprreciate the help but my PC just decided t work again lol, thats the way it is.I have needed to reformat it for awhile. I have screwed it up pretty badly