Have to ask again cos its bugging me - are you absolutely sure that you've got your stereo plugged into the correct socket? There are three (Line Out (the one it should be in), Line In and Mic In) - accidentally plugging it into the wrong one is very easily done.
If windows reports that the hardware is OK, and your stereo definitely works, then perhaps you have a faulty cable, or slightly worse, a dry joint on your motherboard under the audio connectors thats stopping them from working.
Do you have a mic? Are you getting any input with that? Try it with some audio software that gives a visual representation of sound. I think the built in Sound Recorder should maybe do the job.
If windows reports that the hardware is OK, and your stereo definitely works, then perhaps you have a faulty cable, or slightly worse, a dry joint on your motherboard under the audio connectors thats stopping them from working.
Do you have a mic? Are you getting any input with that? Try it with some audio software that gives a visual representation of sound. I think the built in Sound Recorder should maybe do the job.