sound works only in sequencer

Whether or not cubase is on I get no sound on youtube, media-player etc’
This meens it is not a cubase related problem.
The weird thing is that in cubase sound does work.
When I open sound in win7 control panel I have some option of outputs for my firepod.
when cubase playback non of the outputs show any green led reaction though I hear sound.
but when I play youtube or any internet / computer related sound, the default playback green leds turn on! though I hear nothing!