Hi Sally,
First, Windows XP and Windows CE is 2 different OS.
Second, if you are using Realtek drivers, those are mostly for onboard soundcard and not for audio interfaces.
It is possible to use Realtek drivers and soundcard with cool edit pro but they are not designed for audio recording.
Yes MME will do but no those drivers are rarely optimise for low latency.
If I remember correctly Windows XP had not problem to use ASIO and for those who get problems with their drivers, we can still download the asio4all drivers with a Google search.
I see that the Alpha supports Asio in XP but 32bit only..

Please explain further the setup you have and what you're trying to achieve.

I think "CE" in this case refers to Cool Edit rather than Windows Castrated Edition.

I was not aware that Cool Edit does not work with Asio drivers. Finding non-RealTek audio drivers for 64-bit Windows XP is going to be a challenge.

Boswell, post: 440871, member: 29034 wrote: I think "CE" in this case refers to Cool Edit rather than Windows Castrated Edition.

:LOL: the computer guy mistake !!

My post was poorly worded. An audio interface compatible with WDM drivers and XP- something like Presonus Audiobox (which supports Direct Sound and xp) or M-audio interfaces. Is Direct Sound compatible with WDM? The PC is from ~2011

I'm still trying to figure out what you are trying to do.
IF cool edit is not supporting Asio on XP64bit, why not trying to find a DAW that does ?
Unless you are saying that you want to buy an interface and are trying to pick one compatible with XP64 and Cool Edit.
All in all, recording activities aren't the ideal thing to do with old computers and hardwares. It's an intense activity and unless you got gear that are frozen in time and isolated from the world, you're bound to hit limitations.

Reaper is 32 bit or was at one point and supports asio. also Adobe Audition 3 or maybe later by now is 'abandon ware' which means Adobe gives you a free serial number for it. Audition bought cool edit or replaced it if I remember correctly.

Those are two excellent free/low cost and cpu efficient programs that do support asio.

You may want to snag an interface that comes w a daw program, perhaps you could get the 32bir version.

Yes, I want an audio interface compatible with WDM and XP64, instead of what I use now for phantom power and direct electric guitars- Tascam 8 track. I'm now thinking either Behringer U-Phoria UM2 or Focusrite 2i2 1st gen tho not 100% sure that'll work with my xp.

About the 2i2, focusrite says :

Tested with:

• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows 10

What do you want to record ? vocals ? instruments ?
If you really don't want to upgrade your computer and you are gonna record small demos, vocal and guitar. You have the option of a standalone recorder, like the zoom.
But, since you are starting off with the limitation with your computer, I would tend to focus on that first.
You don't need a computer that can run the nasa ! Any intel I3 or more can do the job.. Get it with Windows 10, a small interface from presonus or focusrite and you will be set for fun !
I ain't running like 20years ago, so do XP (which is out of support at Microsoft and have more security holes than swiss cheese) ;)

Marco is the dude for computers! Listen to him he's a pro! His advice has saved me thousands and landed me killer budget computers too!