Sound card problem with Mac Mini

Hi everyone!

I recently opened up my Mac Mini (early 2009 model) to upgrade the RAM, and since I have I have experienced a bizarre problem with the sound card. When the outer casing is off, the sound (along with everything else) works absolutely fine, but as soon as I put the lid on, the sound card stops working completely. I realized that this happens whenever the sound card or components around it are nudged even just a little bit, and at the moment I cannot put the outer casing back on without the sound going off. Does anyone know a way of fixing this problem? If not, do you think a USB sound card would work without a working internal sound device?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Regards,

Jono

Using this iFixIt Guide make sure that you ensure that the audio connector is securely on and nothing is pinching it when you put the top case back on..