audio chat causes crash with Skype and Yahoo messenger

I have been trying to chat (with audio) using yahoo messanger and
Skype, on my Sony Vaio Laptop (P-IV, 2.66 Ghz, 448 MB ram; Windows XP -
SP2). With Yahoo messenger the sound quality is very choppy and
degrades with time. Using Skype, sound quality is very good (send and
recieve), but the program eventually causes a hard crash (requires a
hard reboot - ctrl-alt-del is ineffective). Chatting by typing and
video works fine with both programs - indefinately, so it is definately
an audio issue.

I have used task manager to observe the CPU usage while the audio was
on, and noted that memory usage escalates gradually over about 5
minutes to 100%, at which point the system crash occurs. If I turn off
the messanger programs before the crash - then CPU usage goes back down
to ambient levels.

I have tried a number of things: disabled firewall and virus
protection, adjust audio acceleration setting, upgrade audio driver
(SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio), and Direct X to most recent
version (9c), checked for hardware conflicts... etc.

Nothing has solved the problem. If anyone has any other suggestions, I
would be most greatful.
-JB

.

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