I have Windows media center ed 2005 and i have a problem where while listening to music i get a random squeel or screech. its been a problem for a while and i will give you guys a bit of history and what i've tried(in no part. order)
Happens with window media player or media center.
Happens no matter what file format.
can't be consistently reproduced i.e. if i go back to the same spot in the song again it will play fine.
disabled internet connection, antivirus and any other program i could running in the backround.
The most recent thing i tried was playing through itunes and there was no problem but the sound was a lot lower.
I can't think of anything else to add currently. so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jake

I have no idea how to fix the screech sound but I've found that Winamp is a good alternative as a media player, another good one is VLC.

Try a different (updated?) sound card driver. Also, are you using an analog output or digital... to a AVR I assume?

actually im using toslink out but i also get it through the pc speakers. Right now im listening through media player 11 beta and so far so good (keeping fingers crossed) i have the latest sound card drivers drivers. Thanks guys

I take that back its still MESSING UP!!!!!!! this is soooo frustrating.

...so you are using toslink to a AVR but also using the analog outputs to reg PC speakers?

yes

What if you only have the toslink connected... curious if you have any trouble with only one connected at a time (toslink or analog)... I'd even try each of them solo and see what happens.

ive never tried toslink by itself but i did thy the pc speakers by themselves.

Troubleshooting is all about isolating as many variables as possible. Especially considering how odd this problem is.

Completely reinstalling your sound card should do the trick.

I had those problems, that remedied it.

When I'm talking about completely reinstalling, I'm talking about uninstalling the drivers, then uninstalling the device in device manager.

Do this by right clicking My Computer, Hardware Tab, the Device manager. Find your Sound device, right click, and uninstall.

Restart your comp, and then reinstall the drivers and you should be set!