No sound from Internal Speakers but optical light is off?

[Neoraven]

Having some trouble with my audio and wondering if anyone has some advice, I poked around the forums in search of an answer but came up dry. Here are the details:

System: Late 2010 MBP 15" i7
OS: 10.6.7
Updates: Fully up to date

Is the optical light in the headphone jack on?
Not currently, it was for awhile and I thought it was a feature for finding the headphone jack at night. It wasn't until I realized I have no sound anymore of what it actually is. After a restart the light went out, but the sound preference pane will not switch away from digital output.

Have you tried restarting the computer?
Yes, numerous times. At best it made the light go out.

Does the audio work with headphones in?
It does, and the optical light comes on and off appropriately. [/B]

Have you tried putting the headphones in and out to get it reset?
Yes, I've done it enough times to be fearful of hurting the headphone jack itself.

Have you tried deleting the "com.apple.soundpref.plist" file?
Yes, I restarted afterward to no avail, after which I replaced it with the backup I made.

Any other clues? I'm really at a loss right about now =(

 

[Neoraven]

Well then, I seem to have found the answer: your mac looks for effort.

Some time between starting the thread and posting it, it decided to recognize my internal speakers. At the very least this will serve as a neatly laid out resource for others with the problem. Thanks? haha