I am after a soundcard for my desktop which appears on inspection not to 
have one!  It does already have a headphone out socket but this is all.

It does not need to be surround sound or anything clever just reasonable 
quality, ease of use and maybe even locally available (Norfolk) or over 
the internet?

Thanks
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"Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.1d73033cd28c2f2398993f@news.zen.co.uk...

>I am after a soundcard for my desktop which appears on inspection not to
> have one!  It does already have a headphone out socket but this is all.
>
> It does not need to be surround sound or anything clever just reasonable
> quality, ease of use and maybe even locally available (Norfolk) or over
> the internet?


I'm no hardware expert but, most motherboards, if not all these days, have 
an onboard sound chip don't they? I know mine had to be enabled (or disabled 
if you want to over-ride it) via a BIOS setting.

"Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.1d73033cd28c2f2398993f@news.zen.co.uk...

>I am after a soundcard for my desktop which appears on inspection not to
> have one!  It does already have a headphone out socket but this is all.
>
> It does not need to be surround sound or anything clever just reasonable
> quality, ease of use and maybe even locally available (Norfolk) or over
> the internet?
>
> Thanks



Well, virtually anything will do what you want.

BTW, where is the headphone socket, in the pc not the cd-drive? That is 
really all you need for a pair of speakers. All a sound card will do is give 
you a couple of extra sockets for mic and line in.

In article , dubdriver@somewhere.co.uk 
says...

> I'm no hardware expert but, most motherboards, if not all these days, have 
> an onboard sound chip don't they? I know mine had to be enabled (or disabled 
> if you want to over-ride it) via a BIOS setting. 


No plugs on the back...
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In article <4308fa84$1@news1.homechoice.co.uk>, Notsomeone@microsoft.com 
says...

> Well, virtually anything will do what you want.
> 
> BTW, where is the headphone socket, in the pc not the cd-drive? That is 
> really all you need for a pair of speakers. All a sound card will do is give 
> you a couple of extra sockets for mic and line in.


Its on the PC itself but I am also after a mic in...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=44636&doy=21m8&QV=Y looks 
like it might do the job?  Any thoughts?

Thanks
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> 
> 
> Its on the PC itself but I am also after a mic in...
> 
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=44636&doy=21m8&QV=Y looks 
> like it might do the job?  Any thoughts?
> 
> Thanks


Thats just for headphones by the looks of it.

Assuming you have a spare pci slot, what about...

http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/soundcards/productView.htm?quicklinx=2C5X

Phil

"Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.1d738e0be8eb5b7c989940@news.zen.co.uk...

> In article , dubdriver@somewhere.co.uk
> says...
>> I'm no hardware expert but, most motherboards, if not all these days, 
>> have
>> an onboard sound chip don't they? I know mine had to be enabled (or 
>> disabled
>> if you want to over-ride it) via a BIOS setting.
>
> No plugs on the back...
>
>

As others have said, it's rare to find a MB without sound chip nowadays. 
Often the mic, line in and out sockets are located at the front (behind a 
small cover, often with spare USB hubs) or on the side. Also for the sound 
function to be enabled, you may have to install the driver via a CD bundled 
with the motherboard. They often have a title such as '5-in-1' driver.
If yours is genuinely without sound function, a basic PCI soundcard only 
costs a few s, such as 
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=3828&GroupID=283 
(5).

Alec

In article , "Stephen" 
usenet@sausagefans.com says...

> In article , dubdriver@somewhere.co.uk 
> says...
> > I'm no hardware expert but, most motherboards, if not all these days, have 
> > an onboard sound chip don't they? I know mine had to be enabled (or disabled 
> > if you want to over-ride it) via a BIOS setting. 
> 
> No plugs on the back...
> 

Are you sure there isn't a header on the motherboard that just needs 
a backplate with the sockets on to hook it up?

In article , "Stephen" 
usenet@sausagefans.com says...

> In article <4308fa84$1@news1.homechoice.co.uk>, Notsomeone@microsoft.com 
> says...
> > Well, virtually anything will do what you want.
> > 
> > BTW, where is the headphone socket, in the pc not the cd-drive? That is 
> > really all you need for a pair of speakers. All a sound card will do is give 
> > you a couple of extra sockets for mic and line in.
> 
> Its on the PC itself but I am also after a mic in...
> 
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=44636&doy=21m8&QV=Y looks 
> like it might do the job?  Any thoughts?
> 

Seems to be output-only.  How about something like

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?&product_uid=48179

Or if you just need a basic microphone then this

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?&product_uid=54130

does away with the need for a soundcard connection.  

If you'll be using a headset then this looks pretty neat:

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9537

"Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.1d73033cd28c2f2398993f@news.zen.co.uk...

>I am after a soundcard for my desktop which appears on inspection not to
> have one!  It does already have a headphone out socket but this is all.
>
> It does not need to be surround sound or anything clever just reasonable
> quality, ease of use and maybe even locally available (Norfolk) or over
> the internet?


There must be someone locally with an old sound card in their spares box.

In article <RfgOe.93745$G8.23361@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, 
nothanks@spamfree.net says...

> 
> > 
> > 
> > Its on the PC itself but I am also after a mic in...
> > 
> > http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=44636&doy=21m8&QV=Y looks 
> > like it might do the job?  Any thoughts?
> > 
> > Thanks
> 
> Thats just for headphones by the looks of it.
> 
> Assuming you have a spare pci slot, what about...
> 
> http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/soundcards/productView.htm?quicklinx=2C5X
> 


Phil, thanks for the advice, much appreciated.
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In article , 
nospam@ntlworld.com says...

> Seems to be output-only.  How about something like
> 
> http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?&product_uid=48179
> 
> Or if you just need a basic microphone then this
> 
> http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?&product_uid=54130
> 
> does away with the need for a soundcard connection.  
> 
> If you'll be using a headset then this looks pretty neat:
> 
> http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9537


Thank you, much appreciated.
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In article <4309b0ea$0$6466$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com>, 
alexis2525@REMOVETOREPLYmail.com says...

> 
> "Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
> news:MPG.1d738e0be8eb5b7c989940@news.zen.co.uk...
> > In article , dubdriver@somewhere.co.uk
> > says...
> >> I'm no hardware expert but, most motherboards, if not all these days, 
> >> have
> >> an onboard sound chip don't they? I know mine had to be enabled (or 
> >> disabled
> >> if you want to over-ride it) via a BIOS setting.
> >
> > No plugs on the back...
> >
> >
> As others have said, it's rare to find a MB without sound chip nowadays. 
> Often the mic, line in and out sockets are located at the front (behind a 
> small cover, often with spare USB hubs) or on the side. Also for the sound 
> function to be enabled, you may have to install the driver via a CD bundled 
> with the motherboard. They often have a title such as '5-in-1' driver.
> If yours is genuinely without sound function, a basic PCI soundcard only 
> costs a few £££s, such as 
> http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=3828&GroupID=283 
> (£5).


Thanks Alex
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In article , 
usenet@sausagefans.com says...

> In article <4309b0ea$0$6466$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com>, 
> alexis2525@REMOVETOREPLYmail.com says...
> > 
> > "Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
> > news:MPG.1d738e0be8eb5b7c989940@news.zen.co.uk...
> > > In article , dubdriver@somewhere.co..uk
> > > says...
> > >> I'm no hardware expert but, most motherboards, if not all these days, 
> > >> have
> > >> an onboard sound chip don't they? I know mine had to be enabled (or 
> > >> disabled
> > >> if you want to over-ride it) via a BIOS setting.
> > >
> > > No plugs on the back...
> > >
> > >
> > As others have said, it's rare to find a MB without sound chip nowadays.. 
> > Often the mic, line in and out sockets are located at the front (behind a 
> > small cover, often with spare USB hubs) or on the side. Also for the sound 
> > function to be enabled, you may have to install the driver via a CD bundled 
> > with the motherboard. They often have a title such as '5-in-1' driver.
> > If yours is genuinely without sound function, a basic PCI soundcard only 
> > costs a few £££s, such as 
> > http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=3828&GroupID=283 
> > (£5).
> 
> Thanks Alex


Alec even!
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In article , 
nospam@ntlworld.com says...

> In article , "Stephen" 
> usenet@sausagefans.com says...
> > In article , dubdriver@somewhere.co.uk 
> > says...
> > > I'm no hardware expert but, most motherboards, if not all these days, have 
> > > an onboard sound chip don't they? I know mine had to be enabled (or disabled 
> > > if you want to over-ride it) via a BIOS setting. 
> > 
> > No plugs on the back...
> > 
> Are you sure there isn't a header on the motherboard that just needs 
> a backplate with the sockets on to hook it up?


I will double check in a bit.  thanks
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In article <4309ca31$1@news1.homechoice.co.uk>, Notsomeone@microsoft.com 
says...

> 
> "Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
> news:MPG.1d73033cd28c2f2398993f@news.zen.co.uk...
> >I am after a soundcard for my desktop which appears on inspection not to
> > have one!  It does already have a headphone out socket but this is all.
> >
> > It does not need to be surround sound or anything clever just reasonable
> > quality, ease of use and maybe even locally available (Norfolk) or over
> > the internet?
> 
> There must be someone locally with an old sound card in their spares box. 


There always is when you don't need one!!! :-)
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"Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.1d73e604afdbf7ba989947@news.zen.co.uk...

> In article <4309ca31$1@news1.homechoice.co.uk>, Notsomeone@microsoft.com
> says...
>>
>> "Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message
>> news:MPG.1d73033cd28c2f2398993f@news.zen.co.uk...
>> >I am after a soundcard for my desktop which appears on inspection not to
>> > have one!  It does already have a headphone out socket but this is all.
>> >
>> > It does not need to be surround sound or anything clever just 
>> > reasonable
>> > quality, ease of use and maybe even locally available (Norfolk) or over
>> > the internet?
>>
>> There must be someone locally with an old sound card in their spares box.
>
> There always is when you don't need one!!! :-)


Well, I have one you would be welcome to in exchange for a beer, but I'm in 
London. Bet there's someone in Diss (?) with a spare card.

Out of interest, which PC/motherboard do you have?

In article <4309e9e4$1@news1.homechoice.co.uk>, Notsomeone@microsoft.com 
says...

> Out of interest, which PC/motherboard do you have?


No idea on the motherboard but its a dell dimension 8400 but I got it 
from the outlet and it was a cancelled order.
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In article <4309e99a$1@news1.homechoice.co.uk>, Notsomeone@microsoft.com 
says...

> Well, I have one you would be welcome to in exchange for a beer, but I'm in 
> London. Bet there's someone in Diss (?) with a spare card.


the petrol or train down might make it cheaper to buy a card but I 
always like beer :-)
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"Stephen (Sausagefans.com)"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.1d740759e791d4d2989948@news.zen.co.uk...

> In article <4309e9e4$1@news1.homechoice.co.uk>, Notsomeone@microsoft.com
> says...
>> Out of interest, which PC/motherboard do you have?
>
> No idea on the motherboard but its a dell dimension 8400 but I got it
> from the outlet and it was a cancelled order.


Not familiar with that model, but it might be worth checking on one of the 
Dell-related NGs. You'd feel silly if you bought a sound card and then found 
out there is a little panel somewhere with a full set of sockets behind it.

On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 22:32:20 +0100, Stephen wrote:


> I am after a soundcard for my desktop which appears on inspection not to 
> have one!  It does already have a headphone out socket but this is all.
> 
> It does not need to be surround sound or anything clever just reasonable 
> quality, ease of use and maybe even locally available (Norfolk) or over 
> the internet?
> 
> Thanks


Only just got into this thread and not sure if you are sorted out or not,
but Argos do an external Creative 24bit USB connected sound card for a very
reasonable 40.00. I bought one last week, plugged it in and away we went.
Installs itself fine on XP, although I did run the Creative setup from the
disk as it installs loads of extras which you may not need.

HTH
-- 
ats@jbex

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Don't believe them
Question everything you're told

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Stephen (Sausagefans.com) wrote:

> In article , Notsomeone@microsoft.com 
> says...
> 
>>Not familiar with that model, but it might be worth checking on one of the 
>>Dell-related NGs. You'd feel silly if you bought a sound card and then found 
>>out there is a little panel somewhere with a full set of sockets behind it. 
> 
> 
> True but I've checked and there isn't one.
> 
> Found a cheap one at Maplin which I sent my wife in to buy.  Somehow 
> they gave her a USB hub instead which is nice if you need a USB hub but 
> not so nice if you need a soundcard.  Made the 50 mile round trip to 
> find that they did not have 8 in stock, they have 0 in stock.  So I 
> bought a "Mercury Multi-Channel Sound Card" in desperation as it was all 
> they had which now does not seem to work under XP.
> 
> Are all soundcards born equal?


Definitely not


>  Do they all work under XP?
> 

If you can figure out the chipset that your cheapo uses then you might 
be able to find a generic driver, or use one intended for a similar card 
but manufactured/dsitributed by someone who provides support.