Windows 7: Onboard sound issue with new PC build

This weekend I built a PC reusing parts like the GPU, PSU, and HDD that were in my old HP pavilion but replaced everything else. I also kept all of my files and windows 7 installation using sysprep. Everything is fine except the audio (onboard) which has a weird problem with the volume. It seems the volume is inconsistent, and instead of a flatline volume for all sounds, quiet sounds are too quiet and loud sounds are deafening. This makes watching videos and playing games a pain because the sound is just not right, and constantly hurt my ears. I've tried the loudness equalization setting in windows but that didn't help much. I also tried the demo of a sound enhancing program called breakaway, and that almost fixes the problem but all sound lags and the full program is $30.00 so I don't think I'm going to use that. Is there a way to fix this problem or am I going to have to buy a sound card?

Did you install the Gigabyte supplied drivers, and specifically the sound driver. The motherboard vendor (in this case) drivers are the preferred. Non-Vendor driver drivers can not work or not work correctly.

I have a recent built system, using a Gigabyte motherboard, and after installing Win 7 I installed all the drivers from the Gigabyte supplied disc. Win 7 will install some drivers, some with be the latest and correct, some will be old drivers and some will be just generic drivers. Given that you used the Win 7 installation from the old PC I suspect the drivers are the problem.

Yes, the motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 and it came with a disk that contained many drivers including a VIA HD audio driver. The sound problem was the same before and after installing the audio driver and I couldn't find any settings in the VIA HD audio deck that remedied the problem. I even tried uninstalling the VIA HD driver and reinstalling it but that didn't seem change anything.

If it helps, before the hardware change and sysprep, the old pc was using a realtek audio driver. After I changed the hardware like the motherboard and CPU and used sysprep to keep my Windows 7 installation, the realtek audio dirver icon showed up in the 'uninstall programs' menu in the control panel and I double clicked on it and uninstalled it from there. Hopefully that completely removed all the realtek components but I'm not 100% sure if the realtek drivers are completely gone. I mean, it doesn't show up in the device manager under 'Sound, video and game controllers' so I assume it's gone but I'm still not completely sure.

Is your Windows install a OEM or Retail?

Please update your System Specs

Seeing the number of on board audio grief being posted lately I am just inclined to say get a sound card and use it.

I have Asus Xonar DG cards in my machines not expensive great GUI for what sound tastes you have and so easy to fit, and no time wasted mucking around with the on board drivers.

ASUS - Multimedia- ASUS Xonar DG

Since you just transferred and reused the hard drive and didn't do a complete new install, no telling what does or doesn't work correctly. I would be inclined to suggest a complete clean install.

Using a keyfinder, it does say OEM on it. I remeber someone saying sysprep causes you to lose all activation information, so maybe that's it? Also sorry about my lack of system specs, I was in a hurry last night, so I'll update it soon.


Also, I was thinking of doing a fresh install of windows but I don't really know how I would go about doing that. Doesn't it involve buying an expensive Windows 7 disk? If not what would I have to do? If all else fails, that sound card seems like a good option, and I didn't expect them to be that cheap. It's definitely a better option that that "sound enhancement" program.

Actually I think you will find Speccy will quote the activation code if you need it

Speccy - Download

So, should I do a clean install of windows, or buy a sound card? If I should do a clean install, will this: http://www.pcworld.com/article/24899..._the_disc.html work?

Here is the link to the Windows 7 iso download. You download the correct version (e.g. Windows 7 Home) and then create an iso DVD, and use the HP provided Windows 7 Product Key.

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO Image Downloads

I use the free Imgburn to burn iso discs. The Official ImgBurn Website