Recurring problem: Muddy/'hallway' sound with drivers

[TyPe-ZeRo]

Hey everyone, i'm really, ultra frustrated with this problem:

Again i've reformatted because I bought some new sticks of RAM, so decided to go clean again, but I always run into this problem with my integrated audio where the drivers or something always output a very muddy or deeeeeeeeeep hallway sound where its barely accurate. I've been uninstalling/reinstalling various drivers, cleaning them, everything I can think of it. I always had solved this problem with a stint of luck and now for the sake of me I can't get it working. Please someone guide me through this as i'm racking my brain over this problem.

My specs are as follows:

Windows Xp S2
AMD X2 3800+ (non-oc'd)
2gb single channel GSkill DDR400
GA-K8N51GMF-9 (onboard sound: Realtek's ALC880)

 

[raybay]

Go to the RealTek site, download their version of the drivers, and write down their instructions so you can do it exactly as directed. Alternately, go to the motherboard site, and do the same thing. Look for differences between the two.