need help with computer speakers

Today i realized that my right 2 speakers are not working. 
setup:
altec lansing 4+1 system (l/r front, l/r rear, powered sub) all the speakers plug into the sub which is where the audio inputs go to as well.
2 inputs from laptop, front and rear.

Things i know so far:
- just plugging in one input at a time.  only the left front or left rear work. 
- fuse is good.
- right front speaker controls volume, nothing works without it.  but it still controls volume regardless of not getting any audio input. 
- windows audio settings are all good.  volume is up on both speakers, balance is centered, etc. 

ctchofday wrote: any of the wires get pinched? how the the speakers get the audio signal (from amp to speaker) from the woofer box? is it with stripped speaker wire into a friction terminal, or is it with stereo mini (3mm) jacks... if the later the jacks tend to wear out after while for whatever reason.

it uses the 3mm jacks.  I dont think that is the problem though.  The volume is on one of the speakers which isnt getting any sound, but it still controls the volume.  I would think that if the jacks were worn, it would no longer control the volume of the other speakers.

they are probably 7 years old, could just be the board going bad i guess.

i guess i could open it up and see if anything is fried.


Edited by Eville - 16 February 2009 at 10:38pm