Dear all,
 
I have bought a new computer (Windows 8 64-bit, Intel Core i5-3350P CPU 3, GHz, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 620, Realtek High Definition Audio), de-installed it from my old Windows XP, imported some old 16-bit files...and now getting a distorted sound where it should not be!
 
I guess I need some new settings on my new computer...but the noob that I am, I do not know how...
 
Thanks in advance!

are you using the relteck as your soundcard or do you have a soundcard? (professional one, break away box) ?
your probably going to have to go through those settings. and chose a driver.
do you remember what you used before for your device?

Dear Charlie, good to hear from you! Thanks for your soft synth tutorials, I have lost the fear of them, and now am able to add more color to my productions! But back to the soundcard: Yes, I am intending to use the Realtek High Definition Audio as my soundcard. With my old computer, I use the built-in Soundmax Integrated Digital Audio sound card. Sorry for being such a computer noob, do you know how I can adjust the settings and driver so that I can hear the sound without distortion? Thanks a lot! 
 
 

Using inbuildt soundcard is not recomended, but however if you want to do that
you can use Asio4All what emulates Asio driver : http://www.asio4all.com/
in your DAW, just select Asio as driver, and try 256 on the buffer size, or even maybe 512
Higher number gives more latency, but less crakling noises etc..

But the best is to get an external soundcard like : http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i2
you would be a lot better off with that one, also a few Plugins comes with it.

Good luck.
Jan

Depending of course no what you want to get out of Sonar, for many applications a decent interface is a bit of a necessity.
 
You & your computer deserve it

Dear all, thanks, that is solved, the distortion is not there anymore! I will consider getting a new sound card, but right not its baby steps for my little studio ;-)

You will hit a wall soon.
 
Get a real interface. Sell yourself on the corner, or whatever you have to do.
 
Also, not all interfaces are equal, and price doesnt always buy you what you need. 
 
Ask about what interface to get in the hardware forum ;)
 
Lance

thanks for the kind words tom, hope all is better now man.
glad this is solved for now.
asio4all isn't a bad option.
if you find yourself getting a delay when you hit a note(latency) try asio4all.
send me an message and we will get it set up for you.

speedtom
Dear Charlie, good to hear from you! Thanks for your soft synth tutorials, I have lost the fear of them, and now am able to add more color to my productions! But back to the soundcard: Yes, I am intending to use the Realtek High Definition Audio as my soundcard. With my old computer, I use the built-in Soundmax Integrated Digital Audio sound card. Sorry for being such a computer noob, do you know how I can adjust the settings and driver so that I can hear the sound without distortion? Thanks a lot! 
 
 

Get a real soundcard. You won't get good results using the Realtek.