Windows 7: still "no speaker or headphones plugged in", even with brand new card

Hello all,

Some time ago, sound died. Lightning.
This is the motherboard: Newegg.com - ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G

There appears a little red x over the volume control at bottom right, and when hovering over it, pops up with "No speakers or headphones are plugged in".
OS is Windows 7 64 bit.

Finally got around to buying a sound card.
Got this: Newegg.com - ASUS XONAR_DG 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Xonar DG Sound Card
ASUS XONAR_DG 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Xonar DG Sound Card



Installed card.
Set integrated sound to Disabled in bios.
Asus sound driver seemed to install fine. No yellow ! in Device Manager.

Still no sound though. Still little red x over volume icon at bottom right. Still say no speakers when hovered over volume icon.

Other observations:
In Control Panel - Sound, trying to view some settings cause hang. Have to use Task Manager to kill it. It hangs when trying to view "Recording" tab.

In CP -Sound - Adjust system volume: It displays empty box with words "No audio device installed"

I'm baffled and frustrated. Spent the money on a new card finally, and still have no sound.

Please advise.
Thanks.


p.s. Need more info, just ask. Sorry if I forgot something. Need something tested?... describe and I will do it and post results.