One thing I noticed is that when I leave music paused or WMP open for extended periods of time (mostly WMP) that I will get static when something is played back...any kind of sound...be it music, game or video. But if I close the programs making sound and start them back up I'm ok...though WMP must be closed via Task Manager. It doesn't happen too often anymore in 7...but still does every once in a while...I still dig the forte. I generally use WMP/Media Center for movies, Winamp for tunes, etc. Leave a sound process going too long and something about the forte and it's drivers messes up...do what I described above and it should alleviate the issue...I haven't had to restart because of it since I figured this strategy out, nor is it ever an issue for long. Maybe this will help more people...it's a bitch because it has to be done...but I barely even notice I'm doing it anymore lol. Maybe there's an easier way...and I think I'd point my finger at Auzen drivers vs WMP.