For quite a few months now, my sound hasn't been cooperating properly.  During the summer it worked FINE, but suddenly I could only listen using earphones, and the problem progressed into that I have to hold them a certain way or no sound comes through at all.  I have surmised that this is indeed a port problem, but what, exactly, could this be?

(And it can't be a virus, because I have wiped the drive three times since this issue began.)

Thanky!Sounds like it's either the sound port, where you plug the speakers or headphones in, or the headphones themselves.
Do other headphones WORK OK?
It'd not a virus, definitely a hardware problem.No, I've tried about six different pairs of headphones and all herald the same result.  Have you any idea how to remedy it without having to take the computer to a tech guy?A sound card can be had for $10-20 and one screw is all it takes to put it in place. I wouldn't pay big bucks for this SOLUTION.  

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102182

There's one.As GX1 said, you need a new sound card.
Easy to install yourself, and the one he posted is fairly DECENT too so your MUSIC will sound better.Alrighty.  Thank you!  ^_^