Out of the speakers/headphones drive comes a red light

Question

And the computer's speakers will not work.
Whenever I try and adjust the volume on the computer, it shows a sign like the non smoking sign but with no cigarette.
I unplugged my speakers and the computer's speakers will still not work.
Please help.
Larissa

Answer 1

By the sound of it, the 'Book thinks that an optical audio device is plugged in. I say this because the light used for optical audio devices is red and because it displays the "no" sign to changing the volume which happens when you use optical audio for your output. Therefore the 'Book thinks that an optical audio cable is plugged in and therefore will not play out of the default speakers because of that and not your plugged in speakers because a normal 1/8" banana plug doesn't understand light.
So... First, go into the Sound pane in the System Preferences and go to the Output tab. See if you can change the device from something like "Optical Audio" to "Internal Speakers" or "Line Out".
If that doesn't work, then try plugging and unplugging your speaker wire into the speaker jack a couple times and see if that makes the 'Book stop thinking it is Optical Audio.