Hi there. I am hoping someone can help me here. I have an HP laptop that is CONNECTED to my HP video monitor (so that my 5 year old can see her games better!). Right now, all sound comes from the video monitor... I didn't set it up that way, the Geek Squad did. I have been frustrated because when she plays games (or I watch video clips) we can barely hear the sound coming from the video monitor. I opened the little speaker icon and have the "mixer" volume at maximum output. Today I went and bought a pair of computer speakers. They connect through my headset plug in thingy on my LAPTOP. Just TRIED them out and I get nothing. EVEN when I disconnect my MONSTER cable (that connects the laptop to the video monitor) I get nothing. It's almost like my laptop volume is disabled or something. Can anyone help me to "pump up the volume" Thank you!Your 5 year old plays games? Woah. Genius.

Let's see.

laptop -> (audio + video) VGA/HDMI OUT/other cables -> video monitor?

fact:
Some/most video screens' speakers don't have stupendous sound quality.

Now to help you, what I want to know is:

1) What kind of cabling are you using to hook up the laptop to the video monitor?
Sounds to me like you are only passing the video signal and not the audio signal..
Is it VGA? HDMI?

2) You opened up the speaker icon where? On the screen itself or on the Operating System on the laptop?
Are you on XP or Vista by the way? 32 or 64 bit (System Properties)?

3) I need to know all the kinds of cables running between your monitor/speakers and laptop.
Describe/name all. Even your 'monster cable'.
Let's see.. 'headset plugin thingy'.. I'm having a hard time understanding what that is.
Perhaps you mean audio out? That green entry?
Did you read the speakers manual on how to install them?
Do you already have audio drivers for your soundcard?
Are you SURE nothing is muted (seeing through the sound panel)?

Also check that 'Device Volume' and 'Speaker volume' are set to max in Control Panel -> Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices -> Sounds and Audio devices.

Also, in there, go to the 'Audio' tab and check that your new soundcard is selected on 'Sound Playback'.
An image to illustrate this:
http://webmaster.stickam.com/2device%20properties.jpg

Here's a little scheme for audio:
http://www.hobby-hour.com/electronics/sound-card-color-code.php

Here's a little scheme for video:
VGA: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/VGA_port.jpg/800px-VGA_port.jpg

HDMI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MyCable.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/HDMI.jpg