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Not sure if this is a very basic question for this community, but I am finding it real hard to determine if the sound card in my computer supports 5.1 speakers?

The Device Manager -> Sound, Video and Game Controllers just show Realtek High Definition Audio, and I am unable to find any additional clues in the Properties.

I do have 5.1 speakers - and a quick internet search gives me lame answers like "check if you have 5 speakers with 5 audio jacks" which is not what I want, as the speaker will be unable to play 5.1 sound unless the card supports it.

Kindly let me know if any additional system configuration details would help. I am using Windows 7 Home Edition.

The 5 audio jacks you quote is the important thing, not the number of speakers.

It refers to the audio jacks on your motherboard or sound card, not the plugs from your speakers.

If you have multiple audio output jacks on your motherboard/sound card then you have support for surround sound (providing the correct drivers are installed)

The standard jacks are as follows:

Green - Front L/R

Black - Rear L/R

Grey - Side L/R

Orange/Yellow - Sub & Centre

Blue - stereo line in

Pink - mono mic in

2.0 will have 3 jacks - Green, Blue, Pink

5.1 will have 5 jacks - Green, Black, Orange/Yellow, Blue, Pink

7.1 will have 6 jacks - Green, Black, Grey, Orange/Yellow, Blue, Pink

In the pic below, clockwise from top left: 7.1, 7.1, 5.1, 2.0, 2.0

If you want to see in your system properties you need to open up the RealTek HD Audio Manager (from Control Panel or System Tray icon) and this should show an image on the right that will show you which are available on your system (jacks which are plugged in will be highlighted):

(Error here is because I am accessing this PC via RDP with audio disabled)

You will only be able to connect 5.1 speakers if the physical connectors are present. This is the case if the card supports 5.1 output. However, if the software is not properly installed, the card may only output 2 channel audio. Does the sound card or MB have the necessary connectors for 5.1 audio? If you have teh needed connections and still no 5.1 audio, it could be the driver /audio software or the original audio is not a 5.1 source.

Finally, more info on your system would help. If a barnd name, exact make/model. If not, then the MD make/model or audio card make/model

According to this guide, some cards are able to use those standard 3 ports to output the audio for 5.1 setup if u se them up that way. I am testing it at this moment on my 3 port audio card, but my driver seems to know only 2.1 setup. I am gonna try another drivers but I dont think it will help.

Edit: it is actually working. I just installed realtek driver which can be downloaded here and I was able to setup my speakers for 5.1 with those typical green/blue/red ports.

The realtek audio manager can deliver 7.1 audio to headphones. It doesn't depend on number of jacks. User can also connect two sets of speakers via 2 jacks to get 5.1 , 7.1 or 5.2 or 7.2 output. It must be unbelievable for many. But I know because I'm using it.