I did the steps you said, and after some extensive searching (to find my model number since pressing Fn and ESC didn't seem to pull up a correct number) I downloaded the audio driver from HP; but the bios is only for Intel chipsets; while I run a quad core AMD A8. I'll install the audio driver and tell you how it goes. :D
UPDATE:
It seems to have worked, many thanks to you :D:D:D