Your PC's mainboard is its largest and most important component.
Do-it-yourself computer assembly is a difficult and potentially expensive hobby full of pitfalls and hazards. When making major upgrades, especially replacing a part as integral as a CPU, certain side effects or even simple accidents can occur that you don't expect. If you boot up your PC to find that your sound has suddenly stopped working, there are a few possible culprits to consider.
Speakers and Volume
Sound issues can sometimes be as simple as an unplugged speaker or a misplaced Windows setting. Check all of your speaker plugs and verify that you didn't forget to plug something back in after you finished working on your computer. If the speaker checks out, open the "Audio" panel and check the volume settings. You can find this panel either by right clicking the speaker icon in the System Tray or by opening the Control Panel.
Software Issue
Every audio device in your computer requires driver files to run properly. Drivers are instruction manuals that Windows uses to understand operate the hardware. Since your old drivers may not work with the new CPU, Windows sometimes erases them after your changing your hardware. If your computer did not come with sound drivers, try running the Add New Hardware Wizard on the Control Panel; sometimes, this utility will automatically detect your sound card and find the drivers for you. If not, you will need to find out what kind of sound adapter you have and download the drivers online. Check your computer manufacturer's website for these files.
Onboard Sound Card
The majority of modern computers produce audio through a sound card built-in to the computer's mainboard. If your drivers are updated and your card is still not producing sound, you may have caused a physical problem with your hardware when you added the new CPU. Sometimes, it can be as simple as an unmounted mainboard. Check the mainboard to make sure it is seated firmly and does not move up or down when touched. If it is loose, you may need to remove it and tighten the mounting screws that connect the mainboard to the case. You must also consider the possibility that the hardware is damaged and in need of replacement; do this only as a last resort.
PCIe or External Sound Card
If your computer uses an add-on sound card such as a PCIe or external device, try unplugging and replugging the device. You may have bumped or dislodged some key part of the hardware when you replaced the CPU. Double check all plugs including power cables if applicable, and if the device is screwed into place, make sure it is snug and does not move around inside the case. If the sound still doesn't work, try reinstalling the software that came with your device and testing it with another computer to make sure it is not physically damaged.
PC Speaker
Your computer comes with an internal PC speaker that generates all of the mainboard's beeping sounds when you start the computer. If your PC speaker stopped functioning after you worked on your computer, you may have accidentally unplugged the cable that connects the device to your mainboard. The connector is usually found along the edge of the board next to the LED and power switch plugs. The device itself is either a small metal cylinder or a board connected to the front of the case. Either way, make sure the cable is properly plugged in. If you have trouble finding the right spot, refer to your mainboard's manual for a diagram.
Tags: your computer, make sure, Check your, Control Panel, device your