First try checking in your volume control, control panel.
Then look to see if you have disabled it in your BIOS. I would bet this is it, since your have been in the blue screens and all.
Most motherboards have sound built into them. The drivers are in the motherboards drivers. Being said, you can also add a PCI sound card for better sound, and disabling the built in sound.
And if you get real brave, update your motherboards BIOS.
Thats about all I know on these oversized spell checkers
