Sound stopped working

[xxXEvandarXxx]

So there was a minor thunderstorm here. Out of nowhere there's a giant lightning strike, I mean the sound was massive! :ohmy: It took out my computer, monitor and other items for a few seconds after which they powered on again. I immediatley shut them off again and unplugged them from the wall.

 

After the storm was over I turned on my PC on again, and everything is cool, except for the sound which doesn't work. I've tried with both speakers and headphones, but I'm not getting anything. I've also tried reinstalling the drivers for my soundcard, which is a Asus Xonar DX, just to be safe. When I turn on some music, I can see that the sound is on, because the volume bars in the sound cards configuration control panel move up and down, but I simply don't hear anything.

 

I have no idea what to do here, but could it be that the lighting fried my soundcard?

 

Edit: The onboard sound doesn't work either. Any help at all is appreciated. :psyduck:

Edited June 12, 2011 by xxXEvandarXxx

[obobski]

I know this is probably the most basic of things, but have you checked that audio isn't muted? Have you checked that your media player is actually "pointed" at your soundcard? You can get the little meters in Windows 7 to dance around and still have the output set to 0.

 

If the strike damaged the onboard audio, you'd VERY likely have other problems with the system (Since that means the system mainboard, and for that matter, if it damaged the Xonar you'd have problems as well - because that draws power through the mainboard). Have you checked the PC for burn marks/smell? Did any surge arrestor (if present) trip or break?

 

Do the speakers/headphones work connected to something else, like an mp3 player?

[xxXEvandarXxx]

I got the onboard sound working. I installed new drivers for it, something I should have done first of all. :facepalm: So the onboard soundcard is working fine. Nothing was muted as far as I know, and I'm actually listening to music now. :)

 

The Xonar and the rest of the PC looks fine, no burn marks or anything, and no smell. I can hear a faint continuous beep from the headphones and speakers when I connect them to the Xonar. At first I thought it was from the amp that I use for my speakers but I'm certain it's from the soundcard itself. The speakers and headphones works fine otherwise.

Edited June 15, 2011 by xxXEvandarXxx

[obobski]

That's good to hear, the faint continuous beep thing is not so good to hear. Can you test the card in another computer? Otherwise I would just try and return it for a replacement - you don't want to say that lightning caused the damage, but you can say that it died (acts of god are usually never covered by warranty/service contracts, even ones that have you pay for the repairs; unfortunately). If the card somehow did die, that'd be a new one for me (not saying impossible, just very unlikely (but lightning is a fickle beast)).

[xxXEvandarXxx]

Ok, so I contacted the place I bought it from, and I'm gonna return it. Thanks for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it! :)