I have a really old computer (some dodgy P4-3ghz with an 'Advanced' brand motherboard) running dinosaur XP. Lately I've been having a sound problem.

The problem is everytime I play MUSIC files or video files (even youtube), after I pause it the computer runs really slow (kinda choppy like). It lags when I PAUSE it, not when I play it. When it starts to lag, the only way to make it run smoothly again is if I press the 'play' button. When it lags, I'd check everything from the task manager like the resources that are being used etc. The computer uses up 100% load when this happens (which only drops down after I press the play button again).

Also, prior to this event, the onboard sound (Realtek ALC-661) always pops up a balloon showing that a device has been plugged in (when I haven't even plugged anything in YET!). I've read on some forums about this but that isn't my case. I'm assuming this error has to do with Realtek.

I've done every possible thing such as re-installing the sound drivers, disabling the sound and enabling it again, closed all running processes one at a time, but could not find any feasible solution. Maybe the sound board is dying out from heating or SOMETHING?

I'd appreciate any help from anybody. I STILL use the computer for experiments and programming tho, not for games or anything fancy. Thanx!Sorry I forgot to mention. My old computer's specs are:

Asrock P4-945 chipset
P4-3ghz
1gb ram
onboard video (gma 945)
450watt psu
80gb hdd

Now I also know it's not because of low disk space because I still have like 20 gigs left.

Any help is much appreciated! Thanx!Yaaay!! I've finally solved it myself! It was DUE to the bus audio controller which got overwritten by a Russian based codec