Sound card issues - no sound output -- Sonar 8 Production Edition

Equipment:  Desktop

Motherboard: Asus M4A78 Pro w. onboard sound -- VIA Audio ( Also showing ATI HD Audio driver, which also does not work).
OS: Windows XP w. SP3
Ram: 2 gig  ocx dd
CPU: AMD Athlon 7750 Quad-core
Graphics: ATI Radeon 3200
USB Link -- Edirol UM-2EX

Product in use: Cakewalk Sonar 8 Producer Edition
Desired use: Onstage keyboard performance, recording, and post production        

Problem:  Sonar 8 does not recognize my onboard sound driver.  I know I'm getting midi input from my keyboard because my Edirol blinks with each key press.  I am running the latest VIA sound drivers, updated yesterday (also had the problem before updating my driver).  Had a problem getting the comp to recognize the VIA HD audio driver, but it does now. Still no sound or other reaction from Sonar 8. 

Am I going to have to get PCI sound card?  If so, what are my choices so Sonar will work?  I had hoped to use a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop for my actual stage use, but I need my desktop for practice, recording and post production.  I only hope the Dell works.

Please tell me I can tweak my way out of this.  Tried everything possible including switching VIA/ATI audio drivers, but no luck.

Help!

Thanks....

JRH

Thanks for the fast reply.

When Sonar starts, it pops up a screen, and it says all my sound card drivers are shown by Sonar to be incompatible.  I've tried them all singly and in combinations.

Not sure what ASIO is...been a long time since I was in production and I've forgotten, but I don't have it available as an option in the Sonar audio options, or on my desktop.  Did a comp search and nothing ASIO popped up.

Am I stuck buying a separate PCI sound card?  I can do that for my desktop, but the laptop is another issue.

Many thanks...

JRH

Sorry I missed that first time I think - you are trying to use the on-board sound - from what everyone says, this will not be good enough, so you will very likely end up purchasing a sound card - but why PCi - why not USB and then you could use on both systems - there are some very good USB sound cards - I have an Edirol UA 25 and a Presonus (can't remember the number sorry) - both work very well - I use the Presonus for live stuff along with my LapTop so this sort of set up should do exactly what you want
Nigel

No problems - all you need decide now, which make and what specification - if you search in the Hardware thread there have been quite a few discussions on USB Soundcards - as I said I have two and both, whilst low end, work perfectly well.
All you need to decide upon is the amount of I/O's you need for in the studio - on my desktops in the studio, I use firewire (personal preference) and have soundcards with plenty of I/O, as we record quite a bit of live stuff. I have a Motu 828, a Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 and an old Presonus Firepod.
Hope all goes well
Best of luck
Nigel

My comp doesn't have firewire, so I'm limited to a regular usb sound card.  Checked into the Creative usb plug-in sound card, and it would seem to satisfy my needs, and I can use it on both my comps. 

Creative has another one that's a bit more expensive.  Looking at others too, but I'm on a fixed income, and can't afford much, so it looks like that's how I'll go unless someone can come up with something better.

Thanks so much for your replies...

JRH

or you could always do what i was telling you and try out asio4all..its free download driver that alot of us use.i used it before i got my soundcard and it worked like a chark..untill i wanted more..go to asio4all,download the driver.run the app.go into your drivers tap.enable asio4all.disable your on board soundcard first.plug into the little hole on the side of your computer or how ever else your connecting and your up and running in 20 minutes..what ever you do.good luck with it.