DAMSEL IN DISTRESS WITH SOUND CARD ISSUE!

[Kizmet]

Hi,
I would appreciate any help anyone could give me on thie issue.
Everytime listening to sound files while either surfing or viewing web pages the sound files skip like a broken record, it's really annoying. Someone suggested I update my sound card driver. I know I have a Creative Ensonique Audio PCI. My system resources are 90% free. I contacted Creative labs, but they suggested I dowload updated drivers. I was so confused because there were so many to choose from I didn't know where to begin. Also they stated it could be a resource sharing problem, and that I should try to remove soundcard and reinstall it at another slot. I have no idea how to do this...(can anyone help). Also they suggested I update the chipset and the IRQ routing.
I don't mean to sound so dumb, but the fact is I am not PC literate.
Can anyone, Purty, Purty, Please help?
PEACE & KINDNESS,
FRAN

 

[ChasA]

I don't know what exactly may be causing your sound problems, but it could well be the driver. Updating it, or removing the card and putting it back in a different slot is easy enough though. I'd never done it till a few months ago, so I can promise you its not as scary as it seems!

First off try to get your PC to automatically update your driver. You need to go to device manager - just in case you haven't done this already you can get there by:

right clicking on my computer
properties
device manager

Click on your sound card and you can either update your driver or reinstall your driver from the options on the different tabs.

If you have to take the sound card out, disconnect the PC tower from everything (especially the power!) and unscrew the screws at the back of the PC, then slide the casing off - it may be a bit stiff, but it should come off fairly easily.

Very important though - you need to be earthed so that you don't damage any components within the PC with static electricity. Don't worry - you won't hurt yourself. If you have an anti-static strap use that, otherwise just keep touching a radiator to earth yourself.

You should then find your soundcard - should be very easy to identify. Detach any cables connecting it. There will be 1 screw attaching it to the tower - undo this and pull the sound card out. Again it may be stiff - be careful not to damage it.

Then put the cover back on the PC and connect it up (with the sound card NOT in the PC) and boot the PC up so that it can detect that it doesn't have a sound card at all.

Then disconnect the PC from everything again, take the cover off and put the sound card back into a different socket if you have one free. To do this you will need to take the protective cover off a new slot (again one screw holding it in), and use this protective cover to recover the slot you took the sound card out of in the first place.

Then put the sound card into the new slot - push it firmly into the slot (make sure it's firmly connected), do the screw up and reconnect any cables. Put the cover back on, and boot it up.

It should then detect new hardware (your soundcard)automatically, and build a driver database. If you have the original driver CD put it in the CD-ROM and get it to search for the file that should be mentioned in the booklet that came with the CD. If not, get it to search the web for one.

Hope this helps, and doesn't daunt you too much. It really isn't as scary as you think it might be.

Good Luck.