Vista - Can no longer disable soundcard without restart?

For some strange reason, I can no longer disable my soundcard in device manager without having to restart the computer. It will disable if I end the audiodg.exe process, but since restarting audiodg.exe and re-enabling the soundcard dosen't return my sound, I have to restart anyway.

Any ideas?

Just out of curiosity why do you want to disable your soundcard for.

I disable the soundcard when I want to use my 360. The PC is connected to my amp via coax and the 360 via optical. Unfortunately both are the same 'channel' and it's either one or the other and pulling the coax cord out every time is not the best solution.

My PC virtually runs 24/7 and disabling the soundcard was the easiest way to free up the amps 'channel'.

Hi,

Unfortunately, you don't state where you're from. If you are from the UK, then perhaps this is the sort of thing that you are looking for: Digital Optical & Coaxial Audio Switch Box > Maplin (unfortunately, they don't deliver outside the UK). Failing that, what make and model of amplifier do you use? If your amplifier has more than one optical input, then this might help: RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Connectors & connectivity: A/V connectors & adapters: Cables To Go Coax-Optical Digital Audio Converter

Thanks Dwarf, unfortunately I'm in Australia so the Maplin switcher is out, but the idea does give me something to work on. (I'm bound to add more devices down the track). My amp/receiver is a Sony DAV-DZ850KW which for digital has only has one coax and one optical input.

I'm not sure if this makes a difference, but I installed the ASIO4all drivers awhile ago in conjunction with Adobe Audition 2 for music recording. Normally I would have uninstalled them straight away to to test if that's whats causing my issue, but I had A LOT of hassles just getting Audition to record in the first place and I'm a little reluctant to mess with that at the moment. As I'm typing I have a sinking feeling that's what I may have to do.... I'm still open to other suggestions however

Hi,

I have managed to track down this alternative:2-Way Digital Audio Converter~ Optical Toslink + Coax. They do ship internationally, click on 'International Purchases' for details on how to do this.

That switcher looks like just what I need.

Thanks again Dwarf. Your effort is much appreciated. Consider your scales tipped