Uncontrollable Volume Fluctuations

Hello. For about a year now my sound has been fluctuating uncontrollably. It can go from extremely loud to very quiet suddenly and in any program. When it happens, all programs currently playing sound fluctuate, not just 1 in particular. Also, sometimes it goes back and forth extremely rapidly, like up and down several times per second, almost like static.

I think the sound fluctuations have something to do with my 5.1 surround sound system I have. Right now only two speakers and the bass work, even though in the testing all 5 speakers make the proper sound. I read somewhere else that the sound fluctuations are related to the sound trying to play in all 5 but unable to.

I have tried the "Do Nothing" option in Communications, but that did not solve it.

If anybody has a solution to this problem, please help! Its been a bother for over a year now.

Also, the problem was present when I was using my old system, a Dell Dimension 4700 from 2005. The problem has seemed to carry over to my whole new system, where the only things carried over are the speakers, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Here are the specs of my new system, hopefully somebody can point out a flaw somewhere:

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 860 @ 2.80GHz 45 °C
Lynnfield 45nm Technology
RAM
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 668MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P7P55D-E (LGA1156)
Graphics
VA1930wm @ 1440x900
ATI Radeon HD 5600 Series
Hard Drives
313GB Western Digital WDC WD3200AAKS-00M9A0 ATA Device (IDE) 40 °C
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS40 ATA Device
Audio
ATI High Definition Audio Device

The old system was Windows XP home edition.

As for the make and model, I made my own system, didnt order it. Parts are listed above, im not sure what else to specify.

WalkerA WinTeam said:

What's the make and model of your 5.1 speaker system?

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

Oh, they are Dell MMS 5650 Speakers.

Also, one of the speakers is slightly warped from heat damage, but it still functions fine. It worked in the speaker test, but is currently not playing sound, as well as the other rear speaker not playing sound.