Uh, oh!!! I just start feeling comfortable and begin to breath again, and you tell me that! looks like I had best not put away the oxygen mask and tranquilizers just yet, then.

Sorry to hear about your woes... however, you might not have to replace your motherboard to get back sound. You should be able to pick up a relatively cheap sound card and install that instead.

Mine is a separate sound card that I installed myself, but it cost quite a bit more than my motherboard so I'm praying it's OK. I've not heard the screech since I fiddled around with the connections and settings, so let's hope that fixed it.

Thanks Cp, but my problem there would be shipping/insurance costs to Oz + Customs duties... those would most likely bump the over-all cost to what I'd have to pay locally.

However, I have checked out some local retailers and a few have the Z-5500's for around AUD$300.00, which works out to be about USD$254.00.... so give or take, the prices are roughly equivalent to US prices. One place in Sydney has them for AUD$269.00 (with shipping to Ipswich it would cost me around $290 ish), and another in Brisbane for $279.00... so I'd probably go with those as I could bring them home myself the same day and save 10 bucks... less 3 for train fare.

Yup, they are a definite future investment, but first I gotta get us a washing machine... mrs starkers is tired of taking the washboard down to the creek every day. Seriously, our current one is 12 years old (they don't build 'em to last any more) and isn't doing a good job any more... not to mention it doesn't stop filling with water these days and has to be attended to prevent overflows.... soap suds all through the house.

Anyhow, thanks again for the heads up... and finding me another way to spend money.

Not when you've got carpet throughout... and the water doesn't drain away cos there's concrete floors underneath. Nope, me thinks 'white' water rafting is an outdoor sport.



Oh I can drive one orright... I just didn't hit the brakes hard enough the day I bumped my puter.

What?  A quality spanking is one thing, but have her throw the rock at me/beat me with the stick?  No thanks! Me thinks I'll stick with plan A and get the washing machine.

Plan B was to get the Z-5500's anyway and send her down the laundromat with a couple of washers on string (so's she could keep re-using 'em)... but that plan flew right out the window when she said that I'd have to carry the washing there and wait 'til it was done to bring it home again.  Aw shucks, I thought, what's the point of having a new toy if I'm hardly at home to play with it....

Plan C was to save money to get the Z-5500's quicker by getting her a hamster powered washer - you know, with a hamster in one of those wheels turning the tub, etc - but Animal Welfare nipped that in the bud... so plan A it is.