Jim23,
Decided you were right about taking apart my computer. To many parts. The thing is I did try, going into safe mode, then device manager, show all hidden, then the sound, video and game controllers showed which it didn't when not in safe mode. Then I went back to regular mode and my sound was working the big red ! gone. Only this worked until the next time I shut down my computer and restarted it it was back and no sound. Now sometimes I have sound and sometimes i don't no matter what i do. So the problem I don't think is my sound card. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Denise

Hi Denise

Its good news to hear the sound does work intermittently this would
suggest your audio card is Not faulty but has a conflict of some kind.
Or some how been disabled by the user.
I'm slightly confused when you say there's a big red !

Because Device Manager Errors are : -

1. Exclamation Mark - When a device has a yellow exclanation mark this is an indication that the device is not configured correctly.
2. Blue "i" - this indicates that a plug and play device cannot be configured without your intervention.
3. Red X - This is an indication that the device has been disabled by the user, removed or that Windows is unable to locate the device. It could also suggest that there are no resource conflicts, but that it isn't working.
4. Other Devices - Windows was unable to locate the drivers for the device and cannot determine the type of device being installed.

Could you follow the advice below and ensure your audio card does not have a conflict.
Troubleshooting Device Conflicts with Device Manager

Could check again on the red !

Jim

we have the same problem at the same model. this is a manufacture defect that happens when you are out of warranty. i already talk to the hp service personnel, he said its not on operating system or system conflict but that was a hardware problem. the problem is the audio card, it is built on the board it suggest to go to service center, you may replace the motherboard, unfortunately the price is near to a new one. i suggest that you go to technician that capable of hot airing your motherboard in order to remount the chipset. maybe the cause of loose connection is due to high temperature.