did the pc check up from Dell and it is saying the volume icon check was ok...but I haven't got one.
have checked everything Dell told me to check and I can find that I have two sound devices

Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device and SoundMAX integrated digital audio

Switched the both off and sound didn't work at all. switched them both back on and I still have the same problem

Have checked the rear of my system and it seems to be indicating I have ADI 198x Integrated Audio. Re-installed driver for this and it still won't work

Check that the Windows Audio Service is started & set to automatic:
Right click my Computer and select Manage
Under Services and Applications select Services
Scroll down to Windows Audio and make sure it is set to AUTOMATIC

Also:

System Sounds are missing:

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key: HKEY_USERS. If it doesn't have a Data entry in the right pane that reads: (value not set), double click (Default) and delete it. If it does, check your HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21 keys for the same.

Restore System Default Sounds (Line 6)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

This edit corrects many Sound issues:

Fix the Ding.wav File (Line 6)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

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