PCG-TR1: audio only with usb speakers

Having recently reinstalled Windows on her laptop and maybe also having reformatted it (not quite sure as she did it overseas and wasn't really paying attention to what the guy in the store said he was going to do), my partner has discovered that attempting to play a CD, MP3 file or using programs like Skype, basically anything involving sound, results in a failure dialogue box and no sound coming out of the laptop's speakers.

The laptop still gives out bleeps when connecting to the internet so is not totally mute but the headphones and microphone jacks don't appear to be working.

Weirdly enough, when you plug in some usb speakers, you can play tunes fine and also hear them.

Has anyone experienced this before? Is it a case of needing to download some software/drivers or does it sound like operator incompetence?

Neither of us is particularly technical and would be most appreciative of any words of wisdom, thanks in advance, C.

 

You might first try rebooting. My guess is that you have tried that already, then go to Control Panel>System>Device Manager and look for Sound devices. Make note of what devices you have (maybe you already know them by heart) and then systematically delete them, one my one. When you reboot your computer, Windows will recognize the drivers, and if not, you can visit the manufacturer's website for a fresh driver download. Notebook drivers are AC'97 for the most part and you shouldn't have a problem using windows default audio that came with your recovery disk.

Now, if that doesn't work, your sound card might be fried. It is rare, but does happen.

 

It sounds more like the guy from the store didn't install the audio drivers or didn't install the correct ones.

USB speakers should work because they don't require a soundcard in the first place.