Re: Once...
I have a friend who has a Mac and she loathes the thing. She once told me if she could ever figure how to get her files off, she would give the Mac to me. (actually, I would like to test drive one before buying).
When my Gateway blew its mother board another friend gave me an old E-Machine with Windows '98 and no sound until it had almost reached the end of its life.
Because money was very tight I went ahead and got another E-Machine last Spring. It was the only one I could afford at the time. It has Vista, which I am not too crazy about, but can manage. My E-Machine has sound, but will not allow me to use my printer. I have downloaded the drivers since the original CD is missing, but I can't get the printer up and running, its so frustrating.
I wish I could help you with the sound, but I have no ideas.
My computer is an important tool for me. I am in a wheelchair and it is hard to get around on my own. I shop, pay bills and visit on line. The only thing I really hate is the ultra-slow dial up Internet connection. There is no high speed Internet, no cable, no DSL, no nothing around here. A person from AT&T said we might get DSL in about two years if more people move into the area.