    AST RESEARCH, INC.        TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1717          05/13/97

    TITLE:  ESS 1868 Produces Static in WAV Files

    ISSUE

       When a user plays certain 16-bit sound (WAV) files on an any
       system using the ESS 1868 sound chip, the user may hear static or
       a hissing sound.

       This issue could affect any system using the ESS 1868 sound chip
       and drivers earlier than version 4.04.

    BACKGROUND

       N/A

    ACTION

       To resolve the issue, update the ESS 1868 audio drivers to
       version 4.04 or higher. Obtain these drivers from the AST World
       Wide Web at the following address:

               http://www.ast.com/support/files.htm

       1. Download file 1868_404.EXE and save it to a TEMP
          directory.

       2. Execute 1868_404.EXE to decompress this file, and
          follow the instructions in the README to create the
          driver disk.

       3. After creating the driver disk, follow the
          instructions in the README.TXT to update your drivers.

       After updating the ESS audio drivers, the issue should be
       resolved.

    NOTES

       N/A

    TAN TPR 6233RL

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