Windows Sound problem

So… I’ve had my new computer for about 2 months now, and it has a big sound problem. I thought it was just the speakers I’d yoinked from my old system, but I bought new speakers the other day (Creative I-trigue 2.1) and they have the same problem…

When some sound files are opened, I get a moment of loud static… less than a second, but enough to get really annoying. I think it’s a software rather than hardware problem, because if I’m, say, playing a game, after loading X level I’ve already visited, the music starts cleanly. If I start a new level (and thus, a new sound file is opened), the music has the momentary static when it opens. It sounds a little bit like the speakers are being plugged in and unplugged when the sound file opens, if that helps.

I’m (really) hoping it isn’t a sound card issue, since my board has onboard sound… any suggestions about what it could be, and how I can fix it?

bump

I’m desperate.

What Operating system?
Have you been into Device manager looking for any yellow splats?

Have you checked for updated sound drivers on the manufacturer’s website?

Win98 SE, and yup… found nothing.

I’d love to… but AOpen’s download servers have been down for two days, or at least I can’t connect to them. I’m pretty sure I have the newest drivers anyway.

How about here then?

Er…
I have no idea which one of those is the right one.

My board has onboard sound… should I be looking for the name of the board?

It’s an AOpen AK-79VN… nothing similar appears to be mentioned on the site.

Sounds like a hardware issue. You can get perfectly nice 32 bit Soundblaster Live 5.1 soundcards on Ebay for 20-35. dollars shipped or $ 33.00 brand new at www.newegg.com.

Are you saying the onboard sound is defective? The board is only 2 months old… I don’t understand what exactly it wouldn’t be compatible with.

All the programs I’ve run so far (that have sound) have been older than the board…

http://www.aopen.com/products/mb/AK79G-VN.htm <the board specs are there