Windows 7: Need help with bad(?) Realtek driver update

After a clean Windows 7 Pro instal, I began having audio crackling and drop outs. OK, I need to update my audio driver. Sure enough, I ran the device manager and then checked my mother board's web site and there was indeed an newer driver available. However, during the install, I BSODd.



Upon restart after the BSOD, all appeared to be normal, as if the driver did indeed install. Then, the next time I re-booted, my machine was showing I had no audio driver installed at all.

I went back to my mother board's web site, re-downloaded the latest driver and attempted to install again. This time, however, I cannon get the driver to install. I keep getting BSODs.

I have, at this point, rolled back to a restore point when I was on the initial audio driver and, yep, crackle and drop outs abound.

I guess my question is, how do I completely purge the old drivers completely so I can be assured I'm not conflicting? I have tried going into the control panel and uninstalling that way but, that method is leaving stuff behind. I'd like to completely purge so I can start with a fresh driver. I've read about "driver sweepers" but the general consensus on this site is they may do more harm than good.

My mother board is an Intel® DP67BG Extreme Series with an onboard Realtek digital (optical) audio chip.
I'm getting the drivers for it here.

Any help would be appreciated.

Try this:Drivers - Clean Left over Files after Uninstalling

I followed the instructions in the tutorial. After I uninstalled the Realtek driver in add-remove programs, I booted to safe mode and ran driver sweeper. It didn't find any left overs.

I did discover that my BIOS was way out dated and I think that was part of the problem. Trying to install the proper audio driver on the improper BIOS version could've been it all along.

Anyhow, after the BIOS update, I re-installed the correct audio driver. I've been listening to flawless music since! Marking solved.

That's great, glad to hear your rockin'!