The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    X-fi SoundBlaster Audio

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by Mortinator, May 5, 2011.

  1. Mortinator

    Mortinator Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    233
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I have purchased this on my laptop but i am not sure why on the Audio, its called High Definition Audio Device instead of X-Fi Soundblaster.
     
  2. sk3tch

    sk3tch Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    107
    Messages:
    986
    Likes Received:
    285
    Trophy Points:
    76
    It's just software. Find it in Start > Program Files > Creative.

    I was confused, too - I thought it would replace the default driver for the built-in audio...but apparently it's just software that runs on top of your audio card/driver.
     
  3. Mortinator

    Mortinator Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    233
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Do you know where i can download the software? I just did a reinstall of windows 7
     
  4. laststop311

    laststop311 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    224
    Messages:
    999
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    well id give out the torrent link for the program but im sure the mods will consider it piracy and ban me for it. Every time i post a torrent to a program that normally costs money i get banned. Just do a little work searching and ull find paying 20 for this is pointless
     
  5. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

    Reputations:
    5,447
    Messages:
    3,143
    Likes Received:
    27
    Trophy Points:
    116
    I don't know you guys but the sound of the M14X is absolutely Amazing

    and once you tweak the equalizer to rock and the mode to gaming is the best sound system i ever experience in a laptop even a macbook pro is nothing compared to this :)
     
  6. sk3tch

    sk3tch Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    107
    Messages:
    986
    Likes Received:
    285
    Trophy Points:
    76
    What I have heard is there is a place in Dell's support site where you enter in your serial # (service tag?) and it should be available in your downloads. I also heard that was a problem with this working (I know my system did not show up last weekend - although I have not checked since)...so you may have to call support.
     
  7. Serephucus

    Serephucus Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    1,002
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    The mods ban you for advising people to do illegal things, and you're surprised...
     
  8. Daegul

    Daegul Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    What functionality does the software add, and is there an open source equiv?
     
  9. Juanderful

    Juanderful Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    91
    Messages:
    294
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I'm pretty sure the X-Fi Soundblaster software is pretty much just a glorified equalizer with some added features put into a separate program.

    I would say the actual audio chip and audio controller (IDT/Realtek) has more of an effect on sound than 3rd party audio enhancing software. What makes the most difference is the quality of your headphones/speakers that you use.

    My suggestion is you'll be fine without the X-Fi software.