New Sound Blaster 5.1 VX card crackling and low volume...

I've had my new sound card for over a week now, and I've had constant problems with the sound since then. It's better than the complete lack of sound I had before, but now it's starting to get on my nerves.

My SB 5.1 VX card constantly makes crackling noises when in windows and other audio is not playing besides regular windows sounds (folder opening, errors, etc) and even with all volume set to maximum, it's still incredibly quiet all the time.

I use a pair of headphones, although the speakers have the same issue when I use them. Neither speakers nor the headphones have drivers or anything of the sort. They're both plug and play.

Any assistance fixing this problem would be appreciated.

Upgrade your drivers, which version of windows are you running? I had a similar problem with a Sound Blaster card when I moved from 32 bit to 64bit windows, that turned out to be a driver issue.

My version of Windows is linked in my system specs and under my name.

I updated my drivers first. The ones on the site are apparently of an older version than the ones on the CD that came with the card. So drivers isn't the issue.

Yes, I also disabled my onboard audio chip, both at the BIOS level and also uninstalled any unrelated audio drivers. I've done all the basic things like that, but still no fix in sight.

Okay, so $25 for a soundcard isn't much then? Anyway, I don't have any form of wireless capabilities or devices in use or idly sitting around either...

Hmmmm, no one? nothing? I'll have to find some way to sort this out myself I suppose...