Audio codec AC97 updated, sound still not loud enough

I used to have a VERY LOUD response to my Altec Lansing speakers. But since that last few months, one or another update from a media device has caused my output to sound muffled. I suspect Adobe strongly and I can’t get anyone to answer up regarding this.

I look for about an hour a day for an answer and it’s getting damn old. Does anyone else have this problem, or more wished for: solution?

There is nothing wrong with my pc or my speakers.

I have a Media Center PC, dual core Athlon with 4 gb ram, altec lansing quad with boom center floor…. for the computer.

All of this used to blast me out of the comptuer room. Now it just plays muffled. There is nothing wrong with the speakers, I repeat. It’s in the codec.