AC'97 ASUS Problem

Hey there.

I am currently running an ASUS A7V8X that came with the AC'97 integrated audio card on Windows XP. I've had this board about two years and have a problem that is driving me batty.

My audio works completely fine with the original drivers that are supplied with the CD.

The problem is that if I update to anything more recent than what is supplied with the 2001 VIA KT400 disc (2001 v. 37.02), my microphone completly dies.

I've tried quite a few different versions of the drivers and the soundmax software all to the same result. I always end up having to revert to the supplied drivers. Most recently I tried with " Avance ALC650 Drivers and Applications V3.23 for Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP WDM Driver V5.10.0.3940."

It's not a huge deal, but just something that gets under a nerd's skin.. .

If checked the 'net and have found quite a few posts of people having similar problems but no fixes.

Anything anyone can offer would be appreciated.

R.