Have you checked the "hardware status" in the device manager?

It normaly tells you if theres an error with your hardware.

you can get it via control pannel or right clicking my computer and going to properties->hardware tab



look for ones with (!) signs before them

No luck there, I had a look and everything is working fine.

do u have a mic in one of the jacks? if i have a mic in and the setting 'boost 20db' on then i get a staticy noise when my speakers are idle

Nope.. Just the speakers.