SoundCard not detected

[basevol31]

I recently updated my computer from Windows98 to Windows XP home edition. Since doing so, the soundcard (creative Soundblaster PCI) no longer worked. It worked prior too this upgrade, but the sound would go in and out during the boot up. I thought it may be that the soundcard needed to be updated. So I purchased the SoundBlaster Audigy 24bit soundcard. Still no sound. When I go to sound and audio devices (control panel), under properties, it says the device is working properly. Strangely every option under the volume, audio, and voice tab is grayed out and reads no audio device, or playback devices. My motherboard is a VIA k7va133. I've been trying to resolve this for about a month. Even a friend of mine, that works on computers for a living, has looked at my computer for 2 days and could not resolve this sound issue. Is this a software issue? driver issue? Can anyone help me? Or is it just time to break down and purchase another computer?

[bbeard67]

try going to "control panel" "administrative tools" "services"
look down the list for "windows audio" check to see that it is "started"
if not double click it and make sure startup type is set to automatic.
click apply