Recommend New Creative Card for Vista Ultimate X64

**Mojo** · 09-11-08, 08:51 AM

Mic sensing is just to detect when a mic is plugged in, and enable mic settings that are adjustable, not turning mic on or off. There is a check box to click in CL's control panel to deactivate mic.
Mine stays on as well, I have to adjust mic input to very low, or it feeds-back when I lay headset/mic down near a speaker.
Just turn down mic input volume or click to off position when not in use.

*Side note to those with similar issues of distorted sounds/crackling/popping audio, using Creative's hardware:
There has been some discussion about Creative disabling or 'gimping' it's hardware/software under Vista.
Without going into great detail, there is a Brazillian PC enthusiast, which modded CL's drivers, and produced a driver that actually restores functionality to CL's Vista drivers.
Of course, there was repercussion from CL towards this individual, for copyright infringement, etc.; so I will leave it at that, (the dummy actually asked for donations for his effort)* since this isn't the place to start any CL brashing (too ez), or unwanted attention from CL.

Google around for "Daniel_K Creative braziliantech" and you can read about his progress with this issue.
I'm trying to locate these drivers now, and if found, will try them and report back with my thoughts. They have been removed from FileFront, which was a download location shown in posts about this, so don't bother searching there...

I hope my vague approach to this is acceptable for TTP, I am not trying to start any trouble, just alleviate an issue that seems to plague many Creative Audio users, including myself.
If this was inappropriate, adjust/delete as necessary, and I accept responsibility for my actions.

**SapiensErus** · 09-11-08, 03:45 PM

I had the snap crackle pop with my X-Fi fatal1ty under XP but NOT in Vista.

However on my Vista machine, I have x64 and 4Gb of RAM, and the 64 bit X-Fi driver. Until just about 6 months ago, I kept getting crashes due to memory errors. The dumps indicated my Creative driver was the culprit. They finally fixed it (more than a YEAR after Vista came out).

Their lack of driver support, the lack of true EAX support, and their extreme cost means my next audio card purchase will likely be a competitor to creative; probably Asus since I love their laptops and Mobos.

Also, Creative was suing 3rd party driver programmers who were trying to make drivers to fix the Vista and x64 bugs.

What assholes. They have the name, and the market, and they dont care much anymore.

**Mojo** · 09-14-08, 09:00 PM

I'm really tired of this same problem re-occurring after all my efforts, (now it only happens in games (random) and windows sounds (constant), but not playing MP3s in WMP11) I tried with and without ALchemy, with no changes noted.

I did find a link for those modified drivers I mentioned above, at Digital Existence Network: (v2.15.0004EQ - 64.83MB)

http://digiex.net/drivers/164-creati...-daniel_k.html

However, he does says to install *prior* to installing SP1, which I am not prepared to remove SP1 on this fresh build just to try these.
Also, there are registry changes that have to be made manually, so I don't recommend them to the in-experienced PC user. Of course, always make backups of both registry and OS before trying these, even if you "know" what you are doing.

I would just as soon try the ASUS card and install drivers and hardware only, instead of OS files.

Still waiting for BigDog's reply about his card, when he gets back online after Ike's fiasco. Good Luck again TX'ns.

Complete listing of details are also on that page, if you just want to read about his changes and release notes, as of 02/2008.
I did download them and scanned with NOD32 with nothing reported by NOD32, but use your own scanner if you decide to try them yourself.

There are multiple links, one for just drivers, and one for Driver CD ISO file.

For Vista x64, you only need the driver dnld.
The ISO file dnld has a torrent and a FTP dnld link, and has both x86 and x64 installers (640 MB), with other Creative crap they add to their CD.

I give up and hope the ASUS does what it says: "Compatible for Vista x64" OS.

**Mojo** · 09-17-08, 05:06 PM

UPS just dropped off my ASUS Xonar D2 7.1 Sound Card... (PCI version, not PCIe, no room with GTX 260 hoggin' space on Mobo...)
Crossing fingers and toes, fixin' to shut this puppy down and see if Creative is FooBar for future customers, namely: ME
Wanted to get input from an ASUS audio owner first, but was sick of listening to 2.0 sound from onboard audio.
Be back inna few with results on Vista x64 Home Prem.

**Mojo** · 09-17-08, 06:12 PM

Well, first impression:
VERY!
Only a 26 MB driver file after decompressing .zip from ASUS's site, updated from what was on install CD, fixing issues reported in some games, HL2 included.
Very nice user interface, although I am only using 5.1 speakers, with 7.1 card, no crackles/pops/whines,whistles, nada...
[img width=700 height=521]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/drwngflies/Xonar1.jpg[/img]
Now adding other updated applications from ASUS site that are also newer than CD had, will try them out inna few.
Haven't played a game yet, but I am happy for a change, and Creative Lost me for recommendations until they address the Plagues of complaints many have had under Vista.
Goom-Bye, CL

***EDIT Addition***
Now, NewEgg offers a mail-in rebate for $30 off the D2 and D2X cards, purchased between 9/15-10/05 2008. I found out after I bought mine from TigerDirect, but luckily I bought it on the 15th. Total after rebate= $149.00 (D2 PCI), so that's cheaper than the Creative X-Fi Platinum.
[img width=700 height=243]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/drwngflies/ASUSRebate.jpg[/img]