What's a soundcard and how do I locate one?

[Lorcan]

I have some hardware which I apparently have to plug in to the mic and headphone sockets of my soundcard. I don't even know if I have a soundcard. My computer has speakers and makes sound as expected from websites and DVDs. Do I have a soundcard and, if so, where and how do I 'plug' into it? Should it be an bexternal port, maybe on the 'tower'?

[zbearspirit]

You need to expand. What type of make and model is your computer?

[poohshunny]

Ok,

You have a soundcard if you can hear sound - its that simple, however it depends on your machine where ports are and it sounds like you're connecting either a headset or a VOIP handset?

Some newer machines have headphone and mic sockets on the front of the box as well as on the back. If nothing on the front, look at the back and the headphone socket will be the same socket your speakers are currently connected to (should be a green socket). The mic socket normally is pink. Only thing is that when you plug in your headphones, you'll lose your speakers (hence why sockets started appearing on the front!).

If you only have at the back and want them to be connected permanently, invest in a 3.5mm splitter from maplin or something so that they can both be plugged in - one piece of advice though, turn the speakers off or down low if using the headphones as the mic may pick up the sound coming out the speakers and get into a feedback loop.

HTH

Pooh's hubby!

[squarebear]

If your computer is making sound then yes, you have a soundcard. Are your speakers plugged into your computer? If so follow the wire back to your computer and that is your sound card.

At the back you probably have either pink, green and blue sockets, large enough to put a microphone or headphones into. If you have a more fancy soundcard, it will probably have similar sockets but be in a red and white colour for left and right side stereo.

[Lorcan]

It's not a 'brand name' computer and was built by a company local to me. It's apparently got AMD Sempron 2800 +, 2.0 GHz and 480 MB of RAM if that's any help.

[RevFunk]

usually your sound card will be built it.

You sholud just be able to plug into the headphone socket on your tower

[Lorcan]

Pooh'h hubby - iy's Dragon Naturally Speaking 7 I'm attempting to install.

I've now located my sockets.

Thanks all.