The vanishing PC speaker

[Adam Myrow]

I know the sound card on my computer has a volume control for the PC 
speaker, but it doesn't make any difference.  Presumably, one would have 
to run a wire from the PC speaker to the sound card.  Maybe, on your new 
PC, the PC beep runs through the sound card already.  Check in alsamixer 
to see if you have a control for the PC speaker.  If so, try unmuting it 
and raising the volume.