well there are 2 things going on.
It sounds like codecs are missing more than drivers.
go to www.codecguide.com and get their codec pack, the klite mega pack has been a major part of my network and is also installed on every personal computer and business I service.
Its got the majority of codecs on it and I trust it.

On the realtech side, search for realteck high definition or realteck drivers.
on the top downloads of their site, select the driver that matches their card.
On the side of the driver program, yeah I'd really like to know where I could get either a free one that is accessable or 1 where I pay 40 bucks and get it, one time, but not pay for a subscription.
Outside of mutherboard manufacturers or intel I havn't found anything I really like, there is driver magician but I think like most its subscription based, you need to buy a licence for each box and you are right I wouldn't pay for just drivers.
Ofcause that may change if I need to service major computer networks, I may buy a mega ammount of licences then but not right now.

Hi criss
http://onj.me/rthd
This is a shortened url for the realtech download page that has to do with the hd codecs.
Please check your card in device manager, though as there are like 4 or 5 hd codecs.
wmi, standard hd, 2 alc hds and a couple things.
Once you have your card info, you need to check either 32 or 64 and then the system, xp vista or 7 or 2k.
After that you can download the files.
Note please only get the exe files else you will have to manually install things and I have never done it that way.
The codecs are hmm interesting for klite mega.
You have mirrors just click on one of them, some give you direct links others don't its a pain.
THe tech updates all the time but I only update every 6 months.
if you can't be bothered give me your os, system 32 or 64 bit and the card info in the device manager and I can give you a direct link to the file you want.
Just run the file hit next a couple times wait till its done then restart.
You will have to use cccleaner to remove entries like phime2000 and rhdcpl and other junk from the registry afterwards but it will solve your issue or should do.

No you need to go to control panel system
hardware device manager.
thats go to control panel.
press s till you get system, hit enter, ctrl tab to hardware.
tab once to device manager.
hit space
now locate sound video and gaming controlers and hit right arrow twice to open it.
now in there there will be legacy media codecs
legacy imaging devices
legacy audio codecs
and maybe a unimodem driver if you have a modem.
there will be a realtech driver.
your best course of action is to go to www.onj.me/rthd and actually find the right driver as they are clearly labeled.
however you need to know the driver you are looking for  from device manager as there are 3 of them.
if you have any more issues, post the name of the driver here and I can give you the correct file.

I think actually hardware is the right

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1407689/WDM_R267.exe
this will help you, the site is a bit fiddly.
Its valid as of a little ago as I just upgraded.
looks like the driver I use in here.
It will take about 10 mins to go up, I don't know when you read this but if it doesn't work wait a good 20 mins and try again.
Oh, let me know when you have it.
Not sure how legal it is for me to leave this thing up, but their java script directed mirroring system is a pain, I can't give a link, actually I could probably hack the link from get right but I can't be bothered, anyway its friday and I have like a major thing on tomorrow and other things.
Anyway for waht its worth this will work for you.
Your control pahnel definately said realtech hidefinition driver, thanks for the mp3 file.
Sorry about lateness.
I have been quite bussy today, but anyway.
file should be up in 3 mins

Hi criss.
we are about out of options.
go to www.microsoft.com and get the latest directx.
do this by searching for in google download directx.
the first or one of the first will be for the latest runtimes for the web.
download select run.
once thats done.
try one of the following.
if you don't have windows media player 11 then download and load this file
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1407689/wmp11-w … 86-enu.exe

if you still have issues or have the latest media player do the following
run
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1407689/wmfdist.exe
and
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1407689/wmaudioredist.exe
If these don't work for you then you have a problem I can't fix.
If you can't get this working, send me another forum posting.
I can't remote in myself but I know a couple hackers that could help you.
As I say email me if you have issues at sm dot everiss at gmail dot com
give me your skype or msn or whatever and email and I will ask my hacker friend if he wants to look at this.
You will have to download a small support file which he will give you, then after running it go into notepad and type in your quary and he will respond on sapi output.
he may be able to fix your issue or he will not.
If we can arrange a time I will get you and him in a conference on gwskype and we will see what is going on here.

hi hanif.
hmmmph.
I can't answer all driver updates
but if you turn off memmory protection in internet explorer advanced settings under security
go thto the following sites.
www.nvidia.com has a driver updater I can't remember what it is.
you will probably find one at http://software.intel.com
icloick on the driver updater