Cant play sound on linux

im using a c-media 8738 sound card, im trying to play sound but it wont do it, tried testing the sound and nothing worked! Help please

OK, first: which distribution? Then: is the module inserted? (do /sbin/lsmod|grep cmipci) Do you use OSS or ALSA?

After this: do you use KDE or Gnome as a DE? It will have an influence on which sound server is in use (respectively arts or esound). What program are you trying to play sound with? Are you sure it uses an output plugin compatible with your current sound server?