My computer at work has a "Crystal WDM Audio" mixer which has a digital fader option - allowing me to record any audio playing in the computer - streaming, or from an app - whatever. My new laptop uses a RealTek mixer with much less options available... is there a way to change the functionality to get the better and more flexible control in my old (Windows XP Pro) desktop computer? Can I just download some other driver or controller or something?

I think the RealTek controller is for another model anyway, as it references inputs as being on the rear of the computer - which is not the case. Acer makes a lot of computer models and maybe they put the same controller on a lot of them disregarding details like how the actual computer is configured...

Intel® Centrino® Duo mobile technology
• Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2600
• Mobile Intel® 945GM/PM Express chipset

Yes quite correct one driver fits all, it is up to the manufacturers what features are supported .........

Audacity may undertake the tasks you require:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

The only way I can record audio being played in the computer - such as streaming from a website or MySpace music or something - is by patching the headphone out back into the line-in jack. It works, but it's kind of kludgy. As I say, with almost any W98+ computer I could activate the "digital" choice in the recording part of the Windows Mixer and Cool Edit, or almost any other recording app would "see" that audio and record it.

Those "I'm a Mac" - "I'm a PC" ads are ringing very true to me at this point, as I experience the endless list of "not Vista capable" notices about all kinds of software and peripherals. My webcam (Creative Live! model) doesn't work with Vista (and Creative has no plans to make a driver for it to work with Vista... thanks a lot!) I'll never buy another Creative product - and in all likelyhood will get a MAC as soon as the OS jumps to version 10.5.

you can use "audio record wizard" to record whats coming out of the speakers. it has many other options like recording in mp3 format.