Sonar 8 Producer Driver Problem

I was using Sonar 8 PE on windows XP last week with no problems. But now, after some unrelated computer trouble, I decided to get a new computer, with vista.

Now, I can't record a damn thing. I keep getting a pop-up saying that my drivers don't support the audio format. And it lists these drivers:

Realtrek HD Audio rear output [WaveRT] 1/2
Realtrek HD Audio rear output [WaveRT] 3/4
Realtrek HD Audio rear output [WaveRT] 5/6
Realtrek HD Audio rear output [WaveRT] 7/8
Realtrek HD Digital input [WaveRT]

I try plugging straight into my computer with a stupid lightsnake usb, which actually worked fine on the other computer. I get nothing now. I also try plugging through a Boss ME-50 pedal (no settings other than volume on) to the mic input of my computer, which worked perfect before. Now, its too distorted to hear anything.

I don't know too much with computers, but I knew enough how to get quality music on Sonar 8 before. Now I got nothing.

Can someone please help. Thank you in advance.

I appreciate the advice.

I know I'm going to get more gear such as the UA-25 or a similar product. I'm not being ignorant or anything (I'm just being a recording amateur) but is there a way of making the soundcard work, as a temporary solution.

I mean I'm young and I'm just starting out. I want to make sure I can get into it before spending thousands of dollars on it, if you know what I mean.

Rodar's right in saying you could do a whole lot better than a RealTek interface, which is pretty close to the bottom of the barrel as interfaces go.

However, you do not NEED to go out and buy a new interface. You should be able to use the RealTek without these problems.

The message you're getting may or may not be telling you the truth. Unfortunately, it's a message that can accompany many different problems that are unrelated to what formats the sound card can and cannot support.

First of all, do you have any sound out of your computer at all? Video games? Playing CDs via WMP?

If not, go to control panel and make sure the RealTek is enabled and selected as the default audio device.

If audio generally works but SONAR does not, switch to MME and see if you get audio. (It's also a good idea to verify that you're working at 44.1Khz and 24 bits; the RealTek may require a driver update to handle higher sample rates).

Let us know if that gets you going or not, and we'll offer suggestions as to what to do next.

EDIT: Oops, I re-read your post and realized your problem is with recording, not playback. Or am I reading that right?

However, now there's an awful lot of white noise with the recording, both at the start and throughout. There's a big problem.

Its probably form using the onboard sound chips inputs. sonar is only as good as its weakest link and that link is the onboard sound card. That said, check your signal chain and make sure its clean.