Curse

Omega X · Oct 10, 2006, 04:36 PM // 16:36

http://us.creative.com/support/downl...pe=0&x=28&y=16

Quote:

Filename: SBAX_WBUP2_LB_2_09_0016.exe

This download contains an improved version of the drivers found on the Sound Blaster Audigy®, Audigy 2 series, and Audigy 4 series installation CDs. It also supports Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition.

This download supports the following audio devices only:

* Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy including Platinum and Platinum eX series
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 including Platinum, Platinum eX, and Value series
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS including Platinum and Platinum Pro series
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro and Sound Blaster Audigy 4
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA

This download also includes the following application:

* Creative Audio Console
The application enables you to use the Sound Blaster Audigy, Audigy 2 series, and Audigy 4 series features and functions.

Requirements:

* Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP Service Pack 2, or Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
* Audio devices listed above

Notes:

* This download will uninstall the drivers for your existing audio device before proceeding with the installation.
* For Audigy 2 and Audigy 4 series only: After updating your driver, download and install Creative MediaSource™ DVD-Audio Player DVDA_PCApp_LB_2_00_75.exe.
* Creative MediaSource DVD-Audio Player is unavailable for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
* Do not install this driver for the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy LS or Sound Blaster Audigy SE audio device.

I have not determined what was fixed yet. It seems that Creative does not keep visible changelogs.

Omega X · Oct 11, 2006, 12:56 PM // 12:56

What's wrong? Are people scared of updated drivers now?

Mushroom · Oct 11, 2006, 02:46 PM // 14:46

Soundblaster has a reputation for being very closed about their drivers. Unlike most companies, they have been very resistant to allow Microsoft to either include them in their products, or to allow Microsoft to create a "generic" driver.

This is even more evident in how they treat their "higher end" cards. This has often caused problems in beta tests. When I was a beta tester for Microsoft, I normally removed any Creative card I had. And the Vista beta is no different. I have not used my Audigy card for months, because every driver I tested from Creative refused to work.

In addition, Creative has a history of "Driver Bloat". When I want something as simple as a sound driver, I do not expect to have to install over 40 MB of stuff that I do not want. Sound mixer, codecs, and a ton of other accessories that interfere with how I want my computer to act. It normally takes me 30-45 minutes to get things how I want them after I install Creative drivers. And the last thing I want to do is to have to go back in and do it all over again.

I love the cards, but am quickly startgin to decide they are not worth the hastle. If they could create an install as easy and painless as the standard AC97 driver, I might buy another in the future. Until then, my Audigy (which is gathering dust on my shelf because of driver issues) is probably the last Creative card I will ever get.

EternalTempest · Oct 11, 2006, 03:23 PM // 15:23

@ OP - Thanks for the Heads Up

With Windows Vista RC2 the "beta" drivers for Vista no longer work.

I found by installing these XP drivers... I got sound to work on Vista RC2.

If you use your favorite compression program, winzip, 7zip, powerarchiver2006 you can extract all the files form this exe. There will be a driver folder. In it will be exe that will allow you to install driver's bypassing the setup.exe card "hardware check".

Creative has a near universal driver model that works on almost ALL of there cards.. yet they don't post updated driver's for there older card without "waiting" months or never.

I've done this technique when the Audigy 4 drivers were newer then the Audigy 2 ZS (and does fix lots of issues with newer games). It had MS WHQL certified drivers for my Audigy 2 ZS within the Audigy 4 drviers.

I've done this with X-Fi drivers on Audigy cards. I've read where people use Audigy Drivers for Sound Blaster Live cards.

For me driver + Audio console is enough to run my card. I find very little use for there official apps. Having EAX in my multi-media player is nice.. but there player is very bloated.

Srry for the rant, again, it's always good to have an official release driver for my sound card

Omega X · Oct 11, 2006, 06:43 PM // 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by EternalTempest

@ OP - Thanks for the Heads Up

With Windows Vista RC2 the "beta" drivers for Vista no longer work.

I found by installing these XP drivers... I got sound to work on Vista RC2.

I just saw that they had an October 6th Vista Beta driver for the Audigys as well...

Gorebrex · Oct 12, 2006, 11:34 AM // 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushroom

...In addition, Creative has a history of "Driver Bloat". When I want something as simple as a sound driver, I do not expect to have to install over 40 MB of stuff that I do not want. Sound mixer, codecs, and a ton of other accessories that interfere with how I want my computer to act. It normally takes me 30-45 minutes to get things how I want them after I install Creative drivers. And the last thing I want to do is to have to go back in and do it all over again...

Havent you used the Custom install, where you can choose which components to install?

MaglorD · Oct 12, 2006, 12:05 PM // 12:05

Installed the driver and went for a test run in Guild Wars. Sounded great to me. Creative have a dropdown where you can choose what to download to reduce "bloat". I chose only the driver download so only had that installed and the console.