Is this also your post under another account mic distortion ? Please say if it is, then we can merge the topics to reduce confusion. To reply to this topic, press the “Quote” button. Don’t start another new topic for the same issue.
I agree with Doug that you could try increasing Audio to buffer in Audacity’s Recording Preferences. Do not change the “latency correction” setting as that does not change anything while recording. Also try 44100 Hz project rate.
But I still think you should look into the audio driver situation in detail, in any case. Who told you you had the latest drivers? You can’t assume from Windows Device Manager that you have the latest drivers. Also you may need to reinstall drivers having changed the hard drive, even if the drivers are correct.
Microsoft does not support XP with security updates any longer so you are at serious risk of being attacked by viruses.
First you must turn on the Windows Firewall if it is not already on.
Then you must make sure you have an anti-virus product with updated virus definitions. Under no circumstances turn off your anti-virus unless you first disconnect from the internet.
Then use Device Manager to uninstall the audio drivers.
Then visit http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=pv-42532-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=228&product=3261987&sw_lang to download the correct audio drivers and install them.
Then reboot the computer.
If the problem persists, did you connect the hard drive properly to the motherboard? Are the connections tight?
Gale