I have exactly the same mobo and exactly the same issue with the audio. The
865 PERL has a AD 1985 audio chip and the drivers were installed as part of
Windows Update. Unfortunately, the audio cuts out periodically, typically
after you stop an audio track in WMP. Or sometimes WMP won't play audio files
at all. Based on the posts on this forum and on the internet in general, many
people are experiencing this issue with a variety of AD198x chips.
I have tried installing older XP version of the drivers from the Intel site;
I have tried installing AD198x drivers downloaded from the Asus site (some
Asus mobos use the same audio hardware); I even searched the Dell site for
equivalent drivers. Unfortunately, nothing I have tried has worked.
Considering the hours of time spent trying to get this to work, I should
probably buy a new sound card.
Intel was very unhelpful in this regard as well. Here is what they had to say:
"Thank you for contacting Intel(R) Technical Support. We do understand the
you are having audio problems with your desktop board when you try to run the
Windows* Media Player*
In regards to your situation, Windows* Vista* is not a supported Operating
system for the Intel(R) Desktop Board D865PERL. Please review the following
list for supported Operating systems for your Desktop Board.
http://intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-008326.htm
Intel(R) Technical Support cannot provide assistance, sofware or drivers on
Operating systems that are not supported by the specific motherboard. We
apologize for the inconvenience."
I suppose it's still possible that updated drivers will be released for this
audio hardware but I'm not holding my breath.
Doug