Crackling sound coming from speakers...help!

[blzgirl]

Hi, I am having a problem with a crackling sound coming from my speakers and I would really, really appreciate anyone's help or advice. This all started a few weeks ago RIGHT after we had a big storm and I'm thinking something in my computer was struck by lightning. Anyway, I immediately ruled out the speakers because I plugged a headset into the speaker jack and was still hearing the loud crackling sound.

I then went into Office Depot and explained my dilemma to a salesperson there and he insisted that I needed a new sound card. So I purchased Sound Blaster 4.1. (I don't know how they expect average joe's like me to install something like this based on 5 pictures that make up the instructions, but that's beside the point.) Anyway, I tried installing it, and I think I almost had it, but I'm having a few problems that I can't seem get past...

1. First of all, before I go any further, do you think I even NEED a new sound card? Is there something else I should try first?

2. Will Sound Blaster 4.1 work with Windows 98? I just made another trip to Office Max today and the salesperson there was telling me that there are compatibility problems with Sound Blaster and Windows 98. Is this true? What (basic) sound card would you recommend?

3. My computer is a HP Pavillion 8665c and it already has a sound card installed (Riptide PCI). I am having some difficulty figuring out how to disable the old sound card though. The HP help manual mentions something about reconfiguring the BIOS screen, but I'm not at all familiar with this. Does anyone know the necessary steps that I would need to take to ensure that the old card is completely disabled?

4. Another problem I'm having is this: The old sound card (Riptide) has a cable running from the card to another smaller card (in/out line/microphone). The problem is that the Sound Blaster card has no slot for this cable. Do I even need it this in/out/microphone card? I have never used the in/out/microphone jacks, so I'm wondering if I should just remove that card too?

5. Also, I know I need to do these things in the right order or I will have problems, so would I (1 - take out the old sound card, 2 - disable the sound card, 3 - install the new sound card, 4 - install the new software)? I'm sorry for being so dumb about this, but I really want to learn how to do this on my own.

Thank you....

[Kov-Ice]

Welcome to PCMech. Maybe I can help you with a few things, and I'm sure others will be along to fill in the blanks.

1. You could try updating the old sound card drivers if available. You could also disable and remove the card, then reinstall it to see if that may help. I don't hold out much hope for either.

2. Had not heard that. I've had a SB Live 5.1 card on my 98 box for over 5 years w/ no issues.

3. What exactly does the manual say about BIOS? To uninstall, I think all you need to do is go to Start / Settings / Control Panel / System then click on the Device Manager tab. Scroll down to Sound Controllers and double-click. Highlight your sound card and click Remove. Shut down and remove the card from its slot. Install new card, and it should recognize it and ask you for a disc on next boot.

4. Not sure here, but the in/out/mic jacks that show on the back of your computer are on the small card, is that right? But the main part of your sound card is on another board? Those jacks are all on the back of the new SB card you now have. You hopefully can install the new card in a PCI slot so that the SB's jacks are visible. You shouldn't need either part of the old card, then, I think.

5. See #3.

Hope this helps.