Hi there - Not very computer savvy and am hoping for some advice. We've had this computer for about 9 months with no audio problems until two days ago. When a CD or DVD is played, the audio is distorted. (Visuals are fine). It will play Mp3's normally as well. I've checked all volume/audio controls as well as the wire/connection and the RealTek '97 driver is up to date. (Though when I remove the cable that runs from the CD player to the soundcard, music still plays and I'm confused as to why.) Any help or direction of what to check would be appreciated. Cheers.

Hey Lisa, So let me get this right... You get distorted Audio only when you try to play music from your CD/DVD Drive, is that right?? And when you play MP3, which is on your HDD it works fine, correct??? If this is the case, how many CD Drives do you have?? If you have 2 CD Drives, then try downloading the following File and run it and let us know what happens, infact even if you have 1 CD Drive, download it and check it: http://ftp.us.dell.com/fixes/PIOtoDMA.exe When you run this file, you will see nothing happening on the screen... Double Click on the File, wait for 10 - 20 Seconds and then restart the computer and then try to play some CD and see if it helps you or not... Let us know what happens. Nick

Amazing - it worked! What exactly was the problem? (I can't thank you enough..that was very frustrating.) Cheers, Lisa

Your Welcome Lisa, Your problem is Quite Normal, and many people have faced it including me... Its just that your DVD / CD Drive was set in the wrong channel... Well anyway, glad it helped you... Thanks for Following Up... Take Care, Nick