How Do You Install Speakers on a Windows 2000 Computer?

You can connect speakers to your Windows 2000-based computer.

Speakers not only let you listen to music on your Windows 2000 system, but also audio from videos and streaming media on the Internet. Windows 2000 includes the sound drivers needed for your speakers. But when connecting speakers to your Windows 2000 system, you must complete the physical connection as well as the audio configuration connection within your computer's "Sound and Multimedia" control.

Instructions

Connecting the Speakers

1. Be sure your computer is off.

2. Place one speaker on each side of your computer's monitor. Plug the speaker's power cord into an electrical outlet, if the speakers are amplified (contain a power cord).

   For speakers connected with a single speaker cable, proceed to the next step. If your speakers are not connected with a single speaker cable, plug the shorter of the two speaker cables leading out of one of the speakers into the speaker jack on the other speaker.

3. Plug the speaker cable (the longer cable) leading from the back of one of the speakers into the "Line Out" or "Headphone" jack on your computer's sound card, if your Windows 2000 computer is a desktop model. If your computer is a laptop, plug the speaker cord into the "Headphone" jack on the side or back of your laptop.

4. Turn on the speakers, if they are amplified speakers.

5. Turn on your computer.

Configure the Speakers Within Windows 2000

1. Click "Start," "Settings" and then "Control Panel."

2. Click the "Sounds and Multimedia" icon.

3. Click the check box next to "Show volume control on the taskbar." Click "OK." Then click on the "X" in the upper right-hand corner to close the open dialog box.

   If this option is grayed out, skip to the "Verify Sound Card Settings" section.

4. Double-click on the sound icon on your computer's System Tray (by the clock). The "Volume Control" dialog box will open.

5. Adjust the volume levels to the mid-way position. The check boxes next to "Mute all" should not be checked. Click on the "X" in the upper right-hand corner to close the open dialog box.

   Your speakers are now active and ready for use.

Verify Sound Card Settings

1. Click "Start," "Settings" and then "Control Panel."

2. Click on the "System" icon.

3. Click on the "Hardware" tab, and then the "Device Manager" button.

4. Click on the "+" symbol next to the "Sound, video and game controllers" entry. If you see an "X," "?" or "!" symbol next to one of the sound card drivers, click on the entry and press the "Delete" key on your computer's keyboard. Click "Yes" when asked if you want to delete the hardware device.

   If you don't see an "X," "?" or "!" symbol next to one of the sound card drivers, restart your computer and repeat the steps in the "Configuring the Speakers Within Windows 2000" section of this article.

5. Restart your computer. Windows 2000 will reinstall the deleted sound card driver. You may be prompted to insert your Windows 2000 CD. If your computer contains a third-party sound card that you installed, you may be prompted to insert the CD-ROM that came with that sound card.

   Complete the steps in the "Configuring the Speakers Within Windows 2000" section of this article after your computer has restarted.

References

• Computer Hope: Missing or lost sound in Windows
• Computer Hope: Computer speakers do not work

Resources

• Microsoft Support: Altec Lansing ACS495 USB Speakers May Not Function Properly