Wombat Pete

1. Where do I read up on the problems which require bypassing elements of windows? Due to space constraints, I am temporarily compelled to rely on my computer (a PC box I put together myself a few years ago) for sound - for sound to go with movies (I just got a projector), music, everything. I've been using on-board sound and I've quite dissatisfied with it, although, honestly, I can't say how much of it is the speakers, but surely part of it is because the DAC is inside the computer - buzz at higher volumes). I'd like good sound, but I don't want to spend a lot. Is there a basic set-up most people would recommend? For an under-$200 budget? (I could get my snell acoustics speakers out of storage, although they require a reasonably powerful input...) Thanks in advance!