Help, my sound doesn't work!

I've been trying to get sound from this computer for quite some time... I've un/re installed the driver... ran the dxdiag and got this message



DirectSound test results: Failure at step 19 (User verification of software): HRESULT = 0x00000000 (error code)





After reading around, I've found it to be a pretty common error message with no help anywhere...



I'm running WinXP and my sound is Realtek AC97 Audio

onboard? or is it a card? and what does it say in Device Manager? does it have a "!" next 2 the card?

reinstall or update the drivers