No audio when starting some applications first

Hi,

Running Window 7 x64 ultimate. If I start my computer and I start certain software such as the second life viewer, then there is no audio. And after that, all other applications also produce no audio, even though the volume control shows sounds etc. And the audio is not muted or disabled, and no matter what I do nothing produces any audio.

However, I have learned the following:

A: If I start window media player for example and play some audio I can then start and run everything else and they all have audio fine.

B: If the audio died because I ran SL first, then if I close all sound producing application, and click Computer, Manage, Device Manager, Sound, video and game controller, I see there are two listed:

AMD High Definition Audio Device (this is AMD devices, location 0, Internal High Definitio Audio devices)
High Definition Audio Device (this is a Microsoft driver, location 0, Internal High Definition Audio Bus)

If I disable and enable the second device, then the sound comes back and works.

The issue is I have to use work around A or B, and often forget.

Any ideas for a better solution for this?