Intro and problem with sound

Greetings to all Guild members. This is my first post by way of an intro, I am a 65 yo enthusiastic War Game Player and have enjoyed Medieval Total War and Rome Total War.
I doubt that I would be sufficiently proficient to play on line against you younger and more quick thinking people but look forward to sharing some views anyway.
Maybe someone can help me with a problem which has arisen with playing Rome, since having some attention by engineers following a system crash.
Although everything appears to have been restored I find that after only a few minutes (maybe 10 or so) the sound deteriorates rapidly and then shuts out completely, I can still play but in total silence which spoils the pleasure more than a little. MTW has been installed with Viking expansion and does not appear to share the problem. Also, the whole sound system on the computer shuts down but comes back on restart, so it seems as though the drivers may be disabled by the programme.
I would welcome any suggestions

have you tried reinstalling rtw?

and updating your soundcard drivers?

Yes I have uninstalled and reinstalled RTW and even gone to the length of buying another copy just in case original was corrupted but no luck. Regretfully, I am pretty ignorant about downlaoding drivers, I did try but it does not seem top have worked so maybe I selected the wrong driver, I am using Vinyl AC'97 Audio (WAVE) and Driver Version: 6.14.0001.4020 (English), if that makes any sense. I will try and find compatible driver but am rapidly getting out of my depth !! (the penalties of old age....where are my young lieutenants when I need them?)

Welcome, maybe LEN or somebody with tech knowledge could be of assistance.

Sorry that I can't help you, but Welcome anyway!

Welcome to the Org, Arglwydd Alun! ~:wave:

A pity you have to introduce yourself under such circumstances, however. If you've not already done so, I strongly urge you to pay a visit to the Apothecary. LeftEyeNine, DukeofSerbia, and the rest of the good folks there might very well be able to help you out with your sound issues. Good luck!