Soundblaster card problem

Hi!
I've been having sound problems since day one with this computer. Originally, it was a speaker issue which was resolved after I hooked up an old Harman Kardon set of speakers. The amplified speakers give me enough volume now.

My other issue was not being able to get any sound with flash videos (especially embedded) on IE8. After many many hours of research and downloading FireFox and Chrome which ended up with no sound too, I enabled the EAX feature in my sound control panel. I've got sound in the flash videos BUT....

I cannot get rid of the echo/reverb and if I turn the EAX off... no sound again.
If anyone has any suggestions... I'm ALL EARS!!
Thanks,
Ann

Have you run the configuration for your speakers in control panel?

And make sure your speakers are set for default for all playback options.. Also check to make sure any onboard sound controller is turned off in bios if you happen to have a built in one...

I would ask if you're using the latest drivers, but creative only puts out drivers every 10 years or so, so I'd bet it's current...

The majority of sound issues I've dealt with for people were simply configuration issues in control panel, so that's where I'd start...