W7 64 bit Home Ed. Audio Priority Issue

Whatever audio I have running initially, such as wmv, vlc, youtube, the sound will lose 50% of it's normal volume when I run a game.

For example, I'm watching Youtube videos then I launch my windowed mode 'Team Fortress 2' or 'Counter Strike' game, once I join a game/server, I'll have the game volume at a normal 100% volume where as the youtube video will automatically drop down to 50% of normal volume.

I'm also on an non genuine version of windows 7 64 bit home edition. I purchased the $30 copy from microsoft that was solely for college students. the site did not say anything about it being an upgrade disc only .. But I don't think that's the cause of my audio priority issue

Any thoughts?

When you right click on the Microsoft Speaker icon in the task bar and select playback devices do you see a communications tab? Is the volume reduction selected, not sure if it would be triggered by a game?

There is another MS setting under the enhancements tap (Speakers/Properties) that is a type of compression/limiting called "Loudness Equalization", might check and see if that's active.

Ap

cool, the first one solved my issue. I feel like a lazy bum now :>