1) say what m-audio product it is
2) install the drivers for it .. IF it's a USB device do not have it plugged in , as it'll pick it up later after a reboot
make sure you are running the latest ones of the m-audio site, not the cd that maybe outta date.
3) in pref's in sonar etc.. untick your realtek etc soundcard.. and only leave the m-audio one.. you'll find it probably magically works then. ;-)
and personally I'd leave ya realtek etc as the windows default card.