SoundMAX audio driver on Duron850 using ME

My sound doesn't work most of the time. When I check under Audio Devices, the only choice is the Soundmax (which has an exclemation mark next to it). Then under Properties, General, I get the message: The hardware for this device has an unknown problem. To resolve the problem double click the system icon in Control Panel and then use the Device Manager tab.
I have both updated the device driver and re-installed the driver several times.
The sound will occasionally work for some inexplicable reason. Got any ideas?

Sounds like a faulty card or an off model driver. Has it ever worked?