Anyone get the Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Audio to work.

Today I received my sound card from Dell and tried to install it with no success. After much searching and reinstalling, I have yet to get it working correctly. The LED light on the card itself does light up.

Whenever I try to install the drivers, the Creative software says there are no Creative compatible devices present. I've tried installing the drivers manually, but that method also doesn't not work, as the card is still not recognized.

My system specs are in my sig, and I am trying to install this card under Vista. Please help.

 

as of right now, the card is only supported under vista. i had this problem literally 10 hours ago. i called dell and the representative specifically told me to use XP if i want the card to work. know that even if you got the card to work under vista, it wouldnt let you set it up to anything other than 2.1/2 and headphones without purchasing the dock. if i were you, i'd either call creative and demand something or the other or switch to XP.

 

Not true. This is labeled to have full compatibility with Vista. However if you wanted to use a sound system OTHER than headphones or a 2.1 speaker system you HAVE to purchase a special dock made by creative designed for the card.

 

Yes, I realize you have to buy the special dock if you want to use anything other than 2.1/Headphones, but I'm not particularly worried about that right now as I don't have a 5.1 or 7.1 stereo system right now. The software and box both say it is supported under Vista, but It's still not working for me. I think I may just call Dell and demand a refund for this defunct product. I only got it for giggles anyway. I did want to see if it made any difference though.

 

sorry, my info was pretty much wrong all over.

the sound card is supported under XP fully, and vista has beta drivers.
to install, plug in the sound card (it will list as PCI to PCI bridge or something), and then start the CD.

you need the speaker dock module to unlock the DTS and features like that, but if your reciever is DTS compatible, then optical connetion works just fine. other than that, set it to 2.1 speakers and plug the speakers into the headphone jack.

as for the difference it makes, thers barely any unless your headphones/speakers arent magnetically shielded.

the dell motherboard for the vostros causes EM interference and causes static sounds in headphones. in speakers it is either not discernable or the speakers are magnetically shielded.

 

I have had no problems installing, or using the card under Vista... So I do not know what you are talking about. If the LED on the card does not even light up when you plug it in, I would return it or exchange it for another. The LED should ATLEAST light up for a second or two when you slide it in all the way in the express slot.

 

I've got Vista Home Premium. The card and software have worked for me since day one!

 

Wow sucks to hear this. I ordered X-Fi just so I can hook it up to my HT gear receiver using HDMI...do you guys know if the sound output from HDMI will be from the onboard sound card or X-Fi card?

 

I have tried this and the sound through HDMI is from the onboard sound. You can use the optical output with a 3.5mm optical adapter like this one

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p..._id=1042301&p_id=2671&seq=1&format=4#feedback

BUT, I have found that for games and such you only get 2.1 output from the optical (movies in dolby and dts work I think for surround but I am not sure). So I bought the sound dock and hooked it up to my 7.1 HT system with analog inputs. (I play on a 60" 1080p TV ) Games sound amazing now, though in order to get the Half-life 2 / Orange box games to work with vista and surround you have to use creatives Alchemy program.

 

HDMI audio is onboard.

 

For anyone that is still wondering how to fix this.........

Well the answer is simple now.

Just install Vista Service Pack 1.

Tadaaaa!

Hope this helps somebody.

Cheers!

P.S. Bleed Black Label

 

I don't know much about notebook sound, so any help would be greatly appreciated. I recently purchased the card & surround sound upgrade kit, but my rear speakers only work with movies (haven't tried any games yet). When I listen to music the rear speakers don't work. Is this normal? I had the PCMCIA card for my old laptop, and I thought all speakers worked even when I just listened to music. I changed the settings to utilize my 5.1 surround sound speakers, but this doesn't seem to help. Thanks!!