Skill level: Easy!

Things you need:
Speakers
Windows computer with a sound card

Whether you're watching movies, playing games or listening to digital music files, a set of speakers can let you hear your computer's audio output. Setting up computer speakers is a relatively simple process. Once you have plugged them in, your computer should recognise them automatically. If there's a problem or you want to configure your settings however, you can do so via the Control Panel.

Instructions:

1. Plug the input jack on the back of your speakers into the computer. On a modern computer the correct socket will usually be labelled "Audio output" or have a picture of headphones. On older computers, the sockets may be colour coded. The correct one is usually green. If your speakers have a USB connector instead of a jack, plug this into a spare USB socket and wait for Windows to find and install the new device.

2. Plug your speakers into a power source or, if they are battery powered, ensure there are batteries fitted. Turn the speakers' power on and the volume to about halfway.

3. Click "Start" then "Control Panel." Click "Hardware and Sound" and select "Adjust system volume" under "Sounds." Adjust the slider under "Speakers" in the "Device" column. Play something with sound, such as a music file or a YouTube video, to check your speakers are working. Adjust the volume as required.

4. Return to the "Hardware and Sound" panel. Click "Manage audio devices" under "Sound." Select the "Playback" tab and double-click the "Speakers" icon. Click enhancements and tick or clear the boxes to enable or disable functions such as "Virtual Surround" and "Loudness Equalization."

Tips:
-You may have an "Audio" icon in the system tray in the lower right corner of your desktop. This enables you to adjust the volume without going through the Control Panel.

Cheers, Joe.