Two possibilities: 1. right click the volume control (bottom right?) which should open a control panel with various options for ajustment. Sometimes mine shuts itself right down for some reason I cannot fathom. 2. Do you have a 'sound effects' icon? Mine clicks open a panel headed AC 97 Audio Configuration giving a drop-down list for ENVIRONMENT, with options such as 'living room', 'bathroom', 'carpeted hallway' and very many others with various sound qualities. I have Windows XP if that's any help. Good luck.