Under-exposed, that's a good idea, why didn't I think of it!!
Richard, the sound card is on the mobo and is an AC97 from Realtek. I'm at work ATM and don't have my current driver details (ie the numbers) to hand. According to the read.me file on the Realtek download page the version number on the one I'm trying to install is in logical numerical sequence after the current one, so I'm 100% sure I have the right file. I'll post the numbers when I get home.
It would have to be a bad TWO days on the net, because I downloaded the Nero file yesterday and the AC97 file today, each from the manufacturer's own site, so I'd have to be unlucky to get two bad files. Still, stranger things have happened, I guess.
Is there a security setting in XP that could be doing this?
Cheers
AA