Vista - Video problem on Sony Vaio

Specs:

Vista RTM (from MSDN) Ultimate
Sony Vaio (laptop)
Core 2 Duo 1.83GHz
2GB Memory

Display:
Intel (Mobile) 945GM Express Chipset Family

Some hardware problem:

My video display resets after reboot, or sometimes while in the middle of
running programs (various). What resets is my contrast / brightness settings
set via the Intel Display panel http://www.talkjesus.com/intel.gif

Another problem is achieving proper 5.1 surround sound:

Logitech 5450
Creative Audigy 2NX external sound card (no offical Vista drivers yet)

Is there a workaround the missing Vista driver for the Audigy? Right now the
settings are proper, but the sound is not. For example, the majority of the
"surround sound" is coming from front left speaker odd enough, meanwhile
balance settings are even and yes, control panel / device manager show
Soundblaster Audigy 2NX as primary.