Windows 7: No audio in speakers -at all-, Windows is playing sound

So I built this computer a few weeks ago with Windows 7 Ultimate. Everything sound-wise has been working til a few days ago, but I have been working through some video problems.
Since this started on Friday, the sound mixer/volume control shows sound playing. But nothing comes out the speakers. When I click the top, it doesn't say 'speakers', it says 'Realtek audio'. When I click that, the sound window comes up and under "jacks" it says "rear optical jack." The top says S/PDIF. Those are both formats that I have never used on this system. I've always used only the rear panel analog jack.



Anyways, I feel like I've tried everything under the sun and I'm close to RMA'ing the motherboard. It's that bad. Anyhelp is uber appreciated. Thanks guys

Go to the Control Panel/Hardware and Sound and finally the Sound Panel. In the Playback section, your "Speakers" should be set as the default playback device. It sounds like the digital is now set as playback.

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There's a picture of my sound panel. When I try to activate the speakers, it says to plug them in-they're already plugged in. I've installed and reinstalled the drivers and it still says they're not plugged in.

My system, with RealTek, will allow setting the Speakers as the default, even with no speakers plugged in.

One other thought. Download the free Driver Fusion and delete all RealTek. Then reboot the PC and reinstall the ASUS supplied RealTek drivers.
Driver Fusion - The Complete Driver Solution

I'll try that and let you know how it goes, thanks

This is a very common problem with Windows 7 and old machines like mine, i have the same problem on 2 intel based Motherboards and P4 cpu.
Driver Fusion doesn't solve the problem. Any other ideas guys?

On a Dell you MUST use the Dell supplied sound driver for proper operation.

Dell has a Win 7 64 bit IDT driver (your sound card is not Intel as listed in your specs). Drivers & Downloads | Dell United States

Thanks for your answer, but the problem is not with THIS dell. Is on two different desktop pc's back home.
thanks again.

The same thing, they require Dell sound drivers for proper operation or to even work. I used to do a lot of support on the Dell forums (I had over 37,000 posts). On older Dells that are not supported by Dell for newer OS, you will have to install a compatible sound card (or USB connected for a Laptop).