I noticed that when I finally got rid of my CRT-based monitor and upgraded to an LCD screen. This has much higher definition than the CRT, and old games do look blurry in consequence. You might be able to do something about it by playing around with the screen resolution, but it needs a reboot before new settings become active, and you'll probably want to restore the original settings when you stop playing and turn to other things. Personally, I find it easier just to put up with it.I can't help you with the popping speakers, though.
Ragwort has given you the answer about how you tell if Mok's patch is up and running. I'd just add one thing - I seem to remember one post which said the party fought more efficiently when you used the Shift key to run instead of setting it to always run. I don't use Mok's patches, so you'll have to judge for yourself on that one.
