Speakers in 3.5mm audio port not working

I just purchased a new 2.1 speaker set for my PC. I have a Gateway GT5654 with Windows Vista. Until now I have always used USB speakers and they work with no problems but I wanted to try something just a bit better than the cheap 2.0 that came with the system. I hooked up the speakers according to the manufacturer instructions but when I connect them to the 3.5mm audio jack I cannot get any sound and control panel says "no audio device found". I checked my bios and my HD audio is set to "Auto" (the only other option is "Disabled"). I have tried connecting to the audio jacks on the front and back.

I suspect that issue is likely with my Realtek audio drivers. I attempted to update / reinstall the Realtek drivers but now every time I try to install the latest drivers I get an error message when the progress bar is 95% full. My old USB speakers still work but in the device manager the Sound Controller is listed as a generic "High Definition Audio Device".

The only other possibilities I can think of is that my 3.5mm audio jacks are faulty (although I have successfully gotten sound from headphones in the past, I recall it was a bit of a pain to get them working and I don't remember exactly what I did) or that my new speakers are DOA- but they seem to power on fine. 

I greatly appreciate any suggestions. Even though I'm planning on getting a new PC soon I'd really love it if I could use my new speakers now.

Fantastic!

Originally posted by AndydViking Go to Klitetools and download drive sweeper Delete your realtek drivers.  Download the latest realtek drivers and install them. I don't think your 3.5 jacks are faulty.  It sounds like a problem with your on board soundcard or just the drivers.  USB speakers have their own soundcard with them so your realtek drivers never came into play when using them.  If this doesnt work your options are to continue using the USB speakers or take a look at your expansion slots in the PC and buy a cheap soundcard either PCI or PCIE(or expensive if you really wanted LOL but certainly isn't needed). http://www.klitetools.com/comments.php?catid=51&id=5986

  

Thank you very much for the advice.  I will try to use klitetools and see if that lets me install the Realtek Drivers.  If that doesn't work would it be possible to hookup my speakers using a USB to 3.5mm jack (female) adapter?   I found someone selling them on eBay for $5. (They claim in the description that they are an alternative to a getting a soundcard).