Windows 7 audio driver problem

I just got a new HP pavillion p6204y with windows 7 64bit. The computer came installed with realtek HD driver and ive had problems with it since day 1. first the audio worked, then it stopped working, then worked again. The sound would just cut out in the middle of a song with Itunes. its been on and off but I haven't gotten the audio to work for a computer game that I play. the mixer shows that its playing audio but nothing is played through speakers, including system sounds. I read a post and deleted upper and lower filters from one of the files, that did not work, and ive tried uninstalling and reinstalling the audio driver and i still get no response. this seems to be a pretty popular problem, I dont know if there's another driver that would be better suited all together or a solution for getting this one to work. is there a codec that I need to install? All of the other driver ive seen haven't been an option for windows 7, Plus this is a new operating system for me, im still learning how to use it.
Please help me with my sound nightmare!