directsound issue

I run in windows as a user and then runas when I need to install something and what-not. When I run (games only it seems, but I can't verify) stuff after a while sound cuts out and nothing can play (winamp is the only other thing I care about).
I checked one game's log and it says it can't allocate anymore virtual channels but winamp says I have a number free (but can't play sound).
Winamp will act like it's going to play but then just stop, none of the other output devices (non-directsound) work either.

This happens when I run apps as root too (runas, not login). Anyone know what this issue is?
Sound never cuts out in linux or bsd so I know it's not a hardware issue.

Thanks.