Audio distortion

Hi there!

Yesterday I started having a problem with the audio on my system. The audio is now quite distorted and static-y. To use music as an example, some songs are completely unrecognizeable, while others are full of static, and still others seem to be missing some tones. Sorry - I don't know the correct terminology - just some aspects of the tune are gone - like the really bass notes. This even happens with video files - the audio is distorted, but the video itself appears fine.

This started suddenly and refuses to go away. I've tried using Real Player, Windows Media, Quicktime, and Winamp. All have the same problem. I've tried, as simplistic as it may be, to restart my system, and completely turning it off, and leaving it off for a couple hours. (Can you tell I'm no expert?)

My system is a Dell Dimension 4300, with a P4 1.6 GHz, and 256 MB RAM.

I'm running Windows XP Home Edition 2002 with Service Pack 2.

So, the system is just over four years old, and has been running well. The speakers and sound card are factory installed, so whatever Dell put in is still there. Something about SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio.

Using the Sounds and Audio Devices properties I have checked for, and not found, any updated drivers, codecs, whatever.

To my knowledge, I have not installed any software that might have caused this, and have run a virus scan which found nothing.

I hope I've provided all the information that might help someone help me. If not, please ask.

Thanks!

Trevor