Sound troubles

I have two problems on my Windows 98 system

1) If I try to access any program that uses sound I get an error that says “Failed to create directory” – I get this same error on different programs.

2) If I try to use the CD drive in a manner inwhich sound is involved, like playing an audio CD (It works fine loading a data cd, and I can copy just fine, etc..) then they system locks right up, and I am totally hung, and I can’t get out of the situation – I can’t even do a ctrl alt del, etc.

Any ideas?
THANKS