How old is the computer? (Sound through speakers can become reduced on old speakers.) Is the sound volume low on speakers only , or a headset only, or both? Is the sound low on all applications? (Watching videos from a browser? Watching a video DVD from the computer's DVD drive? When doing a sound check by RIGHT clicking on the speaker icon, then choose "Sounds"?) Just checking here but have you tried increasing the sound volume in the speaker icon in the lower right corner? Have you tried visiting the HP site, or the sound card manufacturer's site and downloading/installing and updated sound driver?

Hope this helps and let us know more.

Grif