how do I test my speakers?

On the lower left of the Desktop find Start. Left click once on START, then Left click the RUN, then type in "dxdiag", of course without quotes.
This will bring up Direct X Diagnostic Tool, in a new window. The screen may go black for a few seconds but will return.
Click on the "sound" tab. Set your hardware acceleration to 3/4 level, then click the
"test Direct Sound" button. A warning will appear and ask you if you want to proceed, left click once on YES. IF your speakers are plugged in and turned up to full volume you should hear a sound play. If yes you do hear a sound left click YES, the test will run again, when done left click cancel.
This means Active X controls are installed properly and working properly.
Under notes you should see message "no problems found".