hey, i checked on my connect i checked the power i reinstalled the driver i checked all the volume options and i even checked on device manager to make sure it said working properly but nothing ...my SPEAKERS still don't work..and i know that sound can come out of them because when i take out the plug in the back i hear the static

Maybe not. Try connecting a pair of headphones. If you hear sound through the headphones, your speakers are dead. You can get static from blown speakers. If you do not hear sound with headphones, it could be the soundcard. You can try to remove it in device manager, uninstall any software, move it to a different pci slot and then let windows reinstall the drivers. If this does not work, it may be dead. Post back with any other symtoms though.

First try the speakers on another pc where it is known that the sound is good, in order to prove they are good. If ok, the problem is in your pc. Check the sound settings for W98, then same for the application (e.g. Realplayer) you are using. Try playing sound from different sources, e.g. downloaded, music cd. Are you absolutely sure you have used the correct driver for your sound card and that it is for W98. Silly question but are you using the correct soundcard jack socket (e.g. line out). If your pc has onboard sound is it strapped and/or is the bios enabled/disabled properly if applicable. Good luck - keep us posted.

Like Mike said it could be a bad driver. The name and the company of your soundcard should be written on the card. If it's not the same as the drive name, try downloading or buying the right driver, depending on if it's free or not. Maybe you can get a free driver on a CD by your soundcard reseller if you proove them you have the soundcard.