XP update greatly improved SoundMAX integrated audio

Just thought I would share this. The PC in my sig and specs has SoundMAX integrated 8-channel HD audio. Up until I installed this update, I had some minor issues. Even when running in regular old stereo mode, MP3 playback seemed to fade in and out and generally didn't sound as good as it should. Also, I seemed to be forced to max out all the volume settings to reduce the fading effect, leaving the media player volume control very little control over the volume.

I installed a windows update and to my surprise, my audio sounded really crappy afterward. I found it was just because the graphic equalizer had been disabled. I simply re-enabled it and adjusted it to taste. Now everything seems very clear, with great fidelity and no more fading in and out. Seems like this update really improved my soundmax audio.

I believe this is the update that did the trick:

Update for Windows XP (KB920872)
This is a reliability update for Windows XP machines. Install this audio component update to prevent memory corruption issues which may cause an unstable state on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2.

(I never had memory corruption issues that I know of)

Or possibly this one:
Security Update for Windows XP (KB951698)
A security issue has been identified in Microsoft DirectShow that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

I'm not sure what did it, but these two updates are the only things related that I can think of. All I did was install them, found the graphic equalizer was disabled afterward, re-enabled it and set it pretty much where I had it in the first place. Now everything sounds much better.

 

Thanks for share the good news.