How do I replace sound chip on motherboard with sound card?

I bought a computer a while back that has one of those Via audio chips
and the resulting static is unacceptable. I would like to replace it
with the SoundBlaster card from my old computer. If the card will fit
into the motherboard, will the Win XP recognise it and automatically
switch to it when I install the driver or do I need to do something else
like pull the chip? Not being a tech guy, I will appreciate any advise.

 

No need to pull the chip, you should be able to disable it
in the BIOS. Just go into setup as the machine boots.

The chip is probably not removable anyhow - unless you use a
sodering iron (btw, an oxy-acetylene torch is faster and
would probably produce the same effect as you trying to
unsolder a surface mount chip).

XP should recognise the card and set it up for you - unless
it is very old.

Static is unusual, IMO. Sure it isn't something simple, like
you have the microphone channel or other unused audio input
channel enabled?

 

Consult your motherboard manual, and disable
the onboard sound chip in the BIOS. Windows
will automatically recognise your new sound
card.

 

If the board *doesn't* allow you to disable the audio in the CMOS setup,
there may be a jumper on the board to do that. (Some CMOS setup screens are
rather limited in what they allow a user to do...)