partial sound loss

[hdb]

Hi I have a Sony Vaio RX550 desktop pc . manufactuered oct.2001. Windowsxp sp1 Home, 256mb ram, P4, 1.5 Ghz

My system came with 2 speakers. Earlier today I lost half of the volume. I half to turn the volume up all the ways to hear the sounds. I have checked all the connections, disconnected and reconnected, but still the same. All programs seem to be functioning properly just don't have full sound. I dont Know much about computers and certainly would appreciate any help.
Thank You, hdb

[Overclocked Doc]

Check in the control panel under "sound effects manager" or something similar and see if your speaker configuration is set correctly? and also that your "output" settings are correct for the speakers you have. digital or analog.

[hdb]

Overclocked Doc, did as instucted and they are working much better. I had to advance the volume past default but its much better. Thank You so much, hdb