Vista - Can't install Creative X-Fi Audio driver

**Everlong18** · 01-05-2009

I've got a SoundBlaster X-Fi Audio sound card, and put it in to my new PC. PC boots up fine, but doesn't detect the sound card. Tried it in another PC and it gets picked up fine.

When I try installing the drivers, it just says no product can be found on the PC. In Device Manager, all it shows is the onboard sound, and when I disable onboard audio in BIOS, it just doesn't show anything in device manager.

Only thing I can think of is it has something to do with the .inf file for the soundcard...

**stormy13** · 01-05-2009

PCI or PCI-E? In either case if you haven't (and can), try it in another slot.

BTW if you really want a X-Fi you might want to consider returning that one and getting at least the Xtreme Gamer, as th only thing even remotely X-Fi like about the Xtreme Audio is its name,

Quote:

X-Fi Xtreme Audio

The entry-level model of the X-Fi series, the Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio, does not actually have the EMU20K1 chip but is a re-branded Audigy SE, using the same family of chips (CA0106-WBTLF), and even the same drivers.[8] Thus, not only is all of the X-Fi–related processing performed in software, but it also lacks basic hardware acceleration just like the SB Live! 24-bit, the Audigy SE and other budget Soundblaster models. The X-Fi Xtreme Audio does not use the same drivers as the rest of the X-Fi family, some games do not recognize it as being "X-Fi capable hardware", and the device's hardware profile resembles that of older Live! and Audigy cards.
Furthermore, users have reported that it slows down some applications and games, and that rear sound in games (all) is muffled and of profoundly low quality.[15][16][17] Thus, even if the card is marketed as part of the X-Fi line, it does not belong to it technically, just like the Audigy SE doesn't technically belong to the Sound Blaster Audigy series. The card is not marketed as supporting the "X-Fi Gaming Mode" (but is still marketed as "X-Fi"), and there are no official implicit or explicit statements regarding its having hardware acceleration or not.

Sound Blaster X-Fi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Everlong18** · 01-05-2009

It was a PCI. Tried it in both PCI slots and still nothing.

Tried everything, like manually locating the .inf file from the driver and still wasn't finding it.

Might just do what you said and try an Xtreme Gamer one.

**stormy13** · 01-05-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Everlong18

Might just do what you said and try an Xtreme Gamer one.

Good idea. Looking at your specs it looks like you got the card mainly for gaming, and I can pretty much guarantee that you would be disappointed with that card. If it is in your budget I would look even higher and go for the Auzentech Prelude X-Fi; better overall than the Creative cards (not sure about the new Titanium series) due to better components on the card (DAC's, opamps (which are changeable), etc).

**sygnus21** · 01-05-2009

I have the X-Fi XtremeGame Fatal1ty Pro and it works great on my system, especially with the new drivers here - Creative Worldwide Support > X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series

Good card, now that Creative has given us good drivers.

**Everlong18** · 01-06-2009

Drivers aren't the problem. I have the latest ones for it, it's that the PC doesn't even recognise it being there, like device manager shows no audio device attached to the PC with it.

I looked at the Fatal1ty though, and it's a bit too much, so I'll most likely get the Xtreme Gamer when I can.

01-05-2009	#1 (permalink)
Everlong18 Windows 7 x64 1,287 posts	Can't install Creative X-Fi Audio driver I've got a SoundBlaster X-Fi Audio sound card, and put it in to my new PC. PC boots up fine, but doesn't detect the sound card. Tried it in another PC and it gets picked up fine. When I try installing the drivers, it just says no product can be found on the PC. In Device Manager, all it shows is the onboard sound, and when I disable onboard audio in BIOS, it just doesn't show anything in device manager. Only thing I can think of is it has something to do with the .inf file for the soundcard... Last edited by Everlong18; 01-05-2009 at 01:30 PM..
My System Specs

01-05-2009	#2 (permalink)
stormy13 Vista Ultimate x64 607 posts	Re: Can't install Creative X-Fi Audio driver PCI or PCI-E? In either case if you haven't (and can), try it in another slot. BTW if you really want a X-Fi you might want to consider returning that one and getting at least the Xtreme Gamer, as th only thing even remotely X-Fi like about the Xtreme Audio is its name, Quote: X-Fi Xtreme Audio The entry-level model of the X-Fi series, the Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio, does not actually have the EMU20K1 chip but is a re-branded Audigy SE, using the same family of chips (CA0106-WBTLF), and even the same drivers.[8] Thus, not only is all of the X-Fi–related processing performed in software, but it also lacks basic hardware acceleration just like the SB Live! 24-bit, the Audigy SE and other budget Soundblaster models. The X-Fi Xtreme Audio does not use the same drivers as the rest of the X-Fi family, some games do not recognize it as being "X-Fi capable hardware", and the device's hardware profile resembles that of older Live! and Audigy cards. Furthermore, users have reported that it slows down some applications and games, and that rear sound in games (all) is muffled and of profoundly low quality.[15][16][17] Thus, even if the card is marketed as part of the X-Fi line, it does not belong to it technically, just like the Audigy SE doesn't technically belong to the Sound Blaster Audigy series. The card is not marketed as supporting the "X-Fi Gaming Mode" (but is still marketed as "X-Fi"), and there are no official implicit or explicit statements regarding its having hardware acceleration or not. Sound Blaster X-Fi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
My System Specs

01-05-2009	#3 (permalink)
Everlong18 Windows 7 x64 1,287 posts	Re: Can't install Creative X-Fi Audio driver It was a PCI. Tried it in both PCI slots and still nothing. Tried everything, like manually locating the .inf file from the driver and still wasn't finding it. Might just do what you said and try an Xtreme Gamer one.
My System Specs

01-05-2009	#4 (permalink)
stormy13 Vista Ultimate x64 607 posts	Re: Can't install Creative X-Fi Audio driver Quote: Originally Posted by Everlong18 Might just do what you said and try an Xtreme Gamer one. Good idea. Looking at your specs it looks like you got the card mainly for gaming, and I can pretty much guarantee that you would be disappointed with that card. If it is in your budget I would look even higher and go for the Auzentech Prelude X-Fi; better overall than the Creative cards (not sure about the new Titanium series) due to better components on the card (DAC's, opamps (which are changeable), etc).
My System Specs

01-05-2009	#5 (permalink)
sygnus21 Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 1,025 posts	Re: Can't install Creative X-Fi Audio driver I have the X-Fi XtremeGame Fatal1ty Pro and it works great on my system, especially with the new drivers here - Creative Worldwide Support > X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series Good card, now that Creative has given us good drivers.
My System Specs

01-06-2009	#6 (permalink)
Everlong18 Windows 7 x64 1,287 posts	Re: Can't install Creative X-Fi Audio driver Drivers aren't the problem. I have the latest ones for it, it's that the PC doesn't even recognise it being there, like device manager shows no audio device attached to the PC with it. I looked at the Fatal1ty though, and it's a bit too much, so I'll most likely get the Xtreme Gamer when I can.
My System Specs

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