about using the Windows 98 upgrade..Since I installed it...horror show....Under Windows 95b things worked just fine....

Problem..both Winamp and Windows Cd player skip songs if a CD is being played in either one of them..The sound is terrible with a kind of static, noise sound when playing songs through the speakers..As I mentioned, they skip or freeze on cd's when playing songs...usually near the beginning or end of the cd's....Funny thing is the songs sound fine if I plug in headphones to my burner and play the songs without using the speakers..The connections to the speakers are fine though.I've heard that maybe a video card or Direct x problem could be responsible in part, but I'm not great with computers so I'll ask you folks....Here's basically what I have:

Windows 98 upgrade from Windows 95b
Crystal Semiconductor Audio chip
Direct X 6.0
Winamp 2.71
Windows 98 cd player
(problems identical in either winamp or cdplayer)

What should I adjust or look for....Is this a Driver problem?Direct X? System problem?Video card?Next time I start upgrading and tinkering someone whack me in the head....

Thanks folks

Kev

Hmmm, after upgrading your OS, I'd recommend the following:
1) (Re)install the latest drivers for your soundcard
2) Install DirectX 7.0a
You might still be able to get it from http://www.microsoft.com/directx/
though the current latest version available is v8.
However, many people have been reporting various bugs with v8, so I recommend v7.0a for now.
If you can't get it there, get it off any gaming mag with a cover CD.
3) Reinstall Winamp
Maybe try using the CDReader plugin instead of the default one.
Be sure to read the accompanying txt file on how to enable it.

Let us know how ya get on.

Kev -

If you get the opportunity down the road, you might want to get a "clean" install of Windows 98se (unless you decide to go with Windows ME or 2000). Adding a Windows 98 upgrade on top of Windows 95 has been known to create problems. (I am one of the many who speak from experience).

Thank you both for your replies....I hate to be an idiot..but if I format to "fresh install" windows 95b again..I don't want 98 anymore...Will I lose all my software on the hard drive....Can it be saved and tossed back onto 95 as before the nightmare began...BTW..I'll try those suggestions first though....Thanks

Kev

two ways of doing this
 

one is format the HD, lose all info and start again.
second (which sound more like what you're looking for), is starting to install againa nd setting the windows dir in a diffrent location (c:\windows2 instead of c:\windows for example). either way i wouldn't reinstall w95 if you puyt a gun up to my head. after clean installs i PORMISE it'll work better then 95 (they both suck, but 98 sucks less).
before you do any of this stuff - how long has it been since you defragged? try defragging - it might take care of ALL your problems.
good luck!