Does anyone have advice for using an external sound card?

This appears to be the sound download for your model. Suggest you download and install it, even if its the same driver that you have.

Conexant driver 8.51.1.0a

Model Content Page


I can download that even if I have a driver? BTW all I've seen so far going through the list that has an audio driver v8.54.44.0 8-14-2012; 51.72M.
 

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Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bitIntel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 3...4.00 GBGeneric PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel ...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite L745-S4210
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm technology
Motherboard
Intel Corp. Base Board Product Name (CPU1)
Memory
4.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Generic PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Conexant SmartAudio HD
It looka like this one is the latest in the Win 7 64 bit (and 32 bit) listing.

Model Content Page

The 8.54.... version is listed for Win 8.
 

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Windows 10 64 bitIntel i7 6700K16GB Corsair DominatorIntel CPU Graphics
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
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BeQuiet Silent Base 600
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Deepcool Captain 120EX
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Microsoft Wireless 2000
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Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
It looka like this one is the latest in the Win 7 64 bit (and 32 bit) listing.

Model Content Page

The 8.54.... version is listed for Win 8.

The only other sound driver in the list is nVidea HD Audio Driver v1.2.23.3;07-08-2011; 11.07M.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bitIntel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 3...4.00 GBGeneric PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel ...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite L745-S4210
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm technology
Motherboard
Intel Corp. Base Board Product Name (CPU1)
Memory
4.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Generic PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Conexant SmartAudio HD
I still recommend installing the latest version on the Toshiba download page for Win 7.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 64 bitIntel i7 6700K16GB Corsair DominatorIntel CPU Graphics
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
I still recommend installing the latest version on the Toshiba download page for Win 7.

Is it the one I mentioned? It's the only one on the list you linked me to.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bitIntel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 3...4.00 GBGeneric PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel ...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite L745-S4210
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm technology
Motherboard
Intel Corp. Base Board Product Name (CPU1)
Memory
4.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Generic PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Conexant SmartAudio HD

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 64 bitIntel i7 6700K16GB Corsair DominatorIntel CPU Graphics
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
Downloading it now! Thanks fireberd!

Do you play music in Nashville? I was just there in late August going to jam nights.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bitIntel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 3...4.00 GBGeneric PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel ...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite L745-S4210
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm technology
Motherboard
Intel Corp. Base Board Product Name (CPU1)
Memory
4.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Generic PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Conexant SmartAudio HD
Just tried recording with the new sound card upgrade and the garbling is still there after 30 seconds of playback.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bitIntel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 3...4.00 GBGeneric PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel ...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite L745-S4210
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm technology
Motherboard
Intel Corp. Base Board Product Name (CPU1)
Memory
4.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Generic PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Conexant SmartAudio HD
I'm out of suggestions. However, I still think its a problem in the PC and not the sound chip but something else causing it. You can try a USB connected external sound "card" as you originally considered but no guarantees that it will fix the problem.

I'm in Florida, not Nashville. I was there in the early 70's and had a day job as the Amplifier tech at a lower Broadway music store (across the street from Tootsie's that is no longer there). I was learning the pedal steel guitar back then but did play some jobs around Nashville including some of the lower Broadway clubs. The "R.O.P.E" is a fraternal organization of entertainers including singers, musicians and other industry personnel. I have a home recording studio here in Florida and have also worked Florida tours with some of the Nashville singers. I did 7 winter tours with Tommy Cash and two with George Hamilton IV, plus single shows with others including David Frizzell, Jack Greene, Bobby Bare, Ray Pillow and others. Tommy Cash was my sponsor to get into the R.O.P.E. organization.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 64 bitIntel i7 6700K16GB Corsair DominatorIntel CPU Graphics
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
Fixed it! I found a box checked in the sound, recording, microphone, properites, advanced, "enable audio enhancements". I unchecked that "enable audio enhancements" box and the recorded sound is crystal clear.

Thanks for everyone's help!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bitIntel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 3...4.00 GBGeneric PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel ...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite L745-S4210
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i3 2310M @ 2.10 GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm technology
Motherboard
Intel Corp. Base Board Product Name (CPU1)
Memory
4.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Generic PnP Monitor 1366 x 768 @ 60 Hz Intel HD Graphics
Sound Card
Conexant SmartAudio HD
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