Sound Card Blown on Laptop - Help!

[Mat7777]

Hi Folks

Ive an oldish Dell Inspiron laptop that I am using as a 2nd laptop and I think I may have broken the sound card - I cant get any system sounds or anything through speakers / headphones etc - Ive tried the driver thing, and Dell support were as useful as a hole in the head as its out of warranty.

My question is that Ive heard a rumour you can get a usb sound card quite cheaply - but will it plug and play and do the job for me If I have indeed broken the sound card (which is built into the motherboard).

Has anyone tried this or have any better ideas?

All help greatly appreciated

[Clippy]

What makes you think you have blown the sound card?

[Mat7777]

I was trying to get some PC speakers to work and er fiddled a bit with a screwdriver on the speakers pcb whilst plugged in and on - nearly had it working at one point - then nothing - not a hum beep or whine

[pzz76077]

Can you play a CD??

[bellymonster]

I've just ordered one of these because I needed an optical output.
Can't vouch for the quality but I think it'll do what you want.

Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro