LIMNEOS YOU ROCK!!! Ok here's what I did out of your instructions (so if there are any other frustrated newbies out there listen up!)
I did a restart and pressed F10 to get into setup as instructed
On this setup it's called "Audio Codec" HP Pavillion a3060n PC
I entered this (it was on "auto") and changed it to "Enabled"
Once I did an Exit and Save... I went to Device Manager and lo and behold..
the Sound, Video and Game Controllers came back!!

I clicked on the sub-set Realtech High Def Audio and the details told me that it was a corrupted file... then did a search on line for solutions (via the panel)...separate searches/downloads never worked ....and when it located and downloaded the correct file/program MY SOUND ICON CAME UP WITH NO Xs!!!
Don't have to reinstall that I/O card (whew) so printer is still working.
TOTALLY HAPPY CAMPER HERE! thankyouthankyouthankyou!

KateNY