Mission Impossible this one. I am using WinXP SP3 4GB RAM. RealTek Audio. Hardware installed is okay. Drivers up-to-date. But Audio only installs(?) activates(?) rarely with the RealTek speaker icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. Weird, & frustrating. Any ideas greatfully received and faithfully applied.

Audio? Sometimes

Do you mean the icon is missing from the "system tray" or that the audio is not working at all? If the icon is missing that does not mean the audio is not installed. It is a problem with XP and the "System Tray Cache" Do you have sound when logging in to the profile? Try logging in then Log Off, immediately sign back in to the profile, I believe without any real proof that there are too many programs trying to access the web (Virus updates, Microsoft updates etc) that the memory allocated to the cache is insufficient. How many icons are there in the system tray?

Audio? Sometimes

No Edward the icon appears as it shoould when the audio is working and when it's not it doesn't. Saving a Restore Point doesn't work either. System is virus free (BullGuard). Didn't happen until I upgraded from 1GB of RAM to 4GB. Don't know if that has any effect? Regards Martin

Audio? Sometimes

Is the audio on board (ie the motherboard?) Does the BIOS need to be adjusted for the memory?

Audio ? Sometimes.

I think you may have nailed it. If so it could be a bit dodgy my messing about with it unless there's some sort of foolproof programme out there that lets me fix it. May have to take it to a service tech? Regards

Audio ? Sometimes.

The quick way! Yes take it to a techo. Without some knowledge and the manual (Probably available on line). If you go to start>Control Panel>system (or windows key and break key) is the memory recognised?

Audio? Sometimes.

Edward. Problem resolved. My wife saw the ALDI advert for their latest Medion and suggested I get it. Can't refuse an offer like that. My daughter now has the pleasure of my sometime soundless two year old Medion PC while I come to terms with that thing called Vista. Bring on Windows 7.