[UK-CONTEST] Laptop problem

[John Lemay]

Morning all

This is a little off-topic I guess, but I've seen what a mine of information
this discussion group can be !

I have a fairly new Acer Laptop, running Win XP Home. My problem relates to
the "sound card", of course it's on-board in a laptop. It is an issue
because it interferes with using it for digital modes with my radio. It's
actually for 2m EME.

Unless I invoke a programme which uses the "sound card" very soon after
switching on the laptop, the audio device becomes unavailable. It's not
available for any programme, whether it's Windows Media Player or my digital
programmes for radio. If I do catch it quickly, there is no problem and I
can continue using it until I stop using that particular programme. After
which it is unavailable until I re-boot the laptop.

So, in my simple mind, something is grabbing the sound card and not giving
it back !

Does this make sense ? Where should I start looking? I am not IT literate
and the computer is just a means to an end.

Many thanks

John G4ZTR