This is a long 'un here, so bear with me!!
Firstly, i have got a mediocore pc that is having an intermittent sound issue when playing back mp3s or listening to cds whereby the sound appears to "huccup" every now and then. i have noticed it for ages but haven't really done anything about it until now (i guess i'm just getting fed up! )
What can be done about this? i'm guessing it's a driver problem but i've tried various drivers and it hasn't solved the problem.
i'll list relevent pc specs:
amd athlon 64 3500+ (939)
asus a8v deluxe (using the onboard realtek ac97 sound)
ati radeon x800 xl 256 meg
windows xp pro sp2 (w/ all updates)
2x512mb geil pc4000
i have tried the manufacture drivers, as well as the newer drivers from asus webby but to no avail. i have also tried the abolute latest drivers from viaarena for my via chipset, but they don't actually seem to work at all!
should i just continue my hunt for drivers, or should i go for a seperate pci soundcard? is it the fault of the soundcard at all or is it some other system issue? conflicting software? i have got the cole2k codec package which "may" be causing the problem (i would imagine). should i get rid and see if it works afterwards?
*deep breath*
secondly, if i was to upgrade my hardware (and software, probably), what sort of spec sould i look for? i'm thinking of a partial upgrade (m.board/cpu and maybe ram) but could go for a full upgrade. at the mo, i have about £700 max to spend. what would you guys recommend for me?
all assistance is mucho appreciated!
Firstly, i have got a mediocore pc that is having an intermittent sound issue when playing back mp3s or listening to cds whereby the sound appears to "huccup" every now and then. i have noticed it for ages but haven't really done anything about it until now (i guess i'm just getting fed up! )
What can be done about this? i'm guessing it's a driver problem but i've tried various drivers and it hasn't solved the problem.
i'll list relevent pc specs:
amd athlon 64 3500+ (939)
asus a8v deluxe (using the onboard realtek ac97 sound)
ati radeon x800 xl 256 meg
windows xp pro sp2 (w/ all updates)
2x512mb geil pc4000
i have tried the manufacture drivers, as well as the newer drivers from asus webby but to no avail. i have also tried the abolute latest drivers from viaarena for my via chipset, but they don't actually seem to work at all!
should i just continue my hunt for drivers, or should i go for a seperate pci soundcard? is it the fault of the soundcard at all or is it some other system issue? conflicting software? i have got the cole2k codec package which "may" be causing the problem (i would imagine). should i get rid and see if it works afterwards?
*deep breath*
secondly, if i was to upgrade my hardware (and software, probably), what sort of spec sould i look for? i'm thinking of a partial upgrade (m.board/cpu and maybe ram) but could go for a full upgrade. at the mo, i have about £700 max to spend. what would you guys recommend for me?
all assistance is mucho appreciated!