Windows XP Home/Soundblaster PCI 128

After I upgraded to Windows XP Home from Windows 98 Second Edition, I noticed that the sound was not working right. Sounds (wav files, mp3 files, etc - any sound file) would play OK for a few seconds, then there would be a few seconds of squealing/buzzing/whining/distorted crackling sound. The motherboard is some type of ASUS motherboard with a 400 Mhz PII CPU, and the soundcard is a Creative Soundblaster PCI 128. I tried downloading the newest XP drivers from Creative's website, but it didn't help things any - and I knew the soundcard and speakers were OK because sound had worked perfectly just a few minutes before on Windows 98. After finding a reference to the problem at http://www.networking.tzo.com/net/software/readme/faqvl019.htm, I went into the BIOS and found some kind of 'PCI Latency Timer' setting and changed it from the original setting of '0' to '35'. I have no idea what the setting should be; if anybody knows please let me know, and don't blame me if you blow up your computer with this setting. Anyway, it fixed the problem - the sound works great now.


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