I have been having trouble re-installing a machine, specifically because Windows just doesn't seem to want to detect the sound card whatever I do. The sound card in question is a Realtek somethingorother. I'm not sure of the specifics because at the moment my computer refuses to detect it. The CD on which the audio drivers come instructs me to install all of the listed drivers in sequence, which I have done, but the sound card still won't show up. The hard drive was recently fried when the PSU broke down, taking the hard-drive with it. Is is possible the sound-card functionality of the motherboard was fried with it? Or is there another explaination? Thanks for your time, Nil

Possible the sound chip was damaged. If Windows finds the chip but doesn't install drivers that is probably because Windows doesn't have the appropriate drivers. Go to device manager and look for a listing for the Realtek sound. If there is a yellow mark next to it try to Enable the device. If that doesn't work then try updating the drivers using the ones on the MBoard CD. If no listing is found in Device Manager then boot into the BIOS screens and verify the integrated sound is Enabled there. Save and exit.

Is it seen as some kind of 'unknown device' in device manager? If not, make sure the on-board audio is enabled in cmos/bios setup. If all looks OK there and the correct drivers won't set it up then I'd guess the on-board is bad.