My computer has audio integrated on the motherboard.

While listening to it last week the right channel started making static which increased over a 30 second period to overwhelm all audio, at which point all sound ceased with a loud pop. Next morning the sound was back, but at reduced volume, sometimes disappearing, and with loud pops at not-quite-random intervals. It seems that any significant "change of state" of the computer, such as starting a new program, tends to generate a pop. The results are the same whether played through my Altec amplified speaker system or through headphones plugged directly into the headphone jack on the back of the computer.

It would appear from these symptoms that I have a hardware problem.

Is this a problem I can fix by installing an aftermarket sound card? I think I have a slot or two available, but do I have to worry about disabling the on-board system or is it smart enough to know there's a new player in the audio game? What do I do now?

tanstaafl.