Creative X-Fi Extreme Audio OEM

I submitted the following query twice via the Scan web site but haven't received a reply so far.

Query Ref No from Scan: OLQ525256

Mb Epox EP 8KMM3I mATX
Processor AMD Athlon XP 2200+
Op Sys Windows XP SP2
RAM 1 GB
Graphics XFX 6600GT
Sound Creative X-Fi Extreme Audio OEM

Creative Audio Console
Creative Diagnostics
Creative Mixer

Sound card driver works but most of the Creative software on the CD does not. When trying to use the above applications I get the following message:

“The audio device supported by the application may not be present or may be operating in an unsupported mode.”
or

“The audio device supported by the application is not detected.”

Also volume panel icon in Win XP notification area is buggy – click once it works, click twice by accident and one of the above messages appears.

I’ve tried Windows safe mode, changing PCI slots, IRQs and other things I've probably forgotten but no improvement. This is the most difficult software I’ve seen since Windows 95. The Creative forum suggests that the problem is not uncommon but no clear solutions. Any suggestions?

If the card/software is the problem I would be prepared to pay extra for a better one.

Everything else works perfectly.

I am not familiar with that Creative card itself, but in general OEM products by their nature have less or no support/included apps than the full retail package. Also sometimes retail apps will not support OEM product. Try to check that the card ID matches supported hardware by the apps ur trying to use?
A few ideas to try:
I assume you have looked for updated drivers & applications from Creative?
Disabled the onboard audio and purged the drivers for potential conflicts?
Is the motherboard is a VIA chipset? Perhaps look to try a newer VIA mobo driver?

Thanks for that. Although the card was OEM, it did in fact come with a CD containing drivers and software. Neither this nor downloaded software has worked. Mobo driver is most recent and I have tried disabling onboard audio in both BIOS and Win XP.

The Creative forum has 3 threads on this but no clear solution.

Could you post the links for those 3 threads please?

Threads are:
http://forums.creative.com/creativel...ssage.id=72104
http://forums.creative.com/creativel...ssage.id=86477
http://forums.creative.com/creativel...ssage.id=87862

I expect u have seen it already, this was linked in one of those threads
http://forums.wnygamersclub.com/inde...showtopic=2159

Do you know if this is this an issue with the Retail version too? Or just the OEM?

I dont know if u have the time or inclination to test a fresh install on a spare HDD with minimal Hardware active, see if u can pinpoint any conflicts. It seems this card re-allocates resources and doesnt mind taking I/O ranges already in use :(

Reading the long thread, this was in one of the posts, dont know if it can help u:

"Re: soported hardware not detected. Reply 124 of 192
Fixed it - wierdest solution though......Had to download a driver from the Dell website...figured why not just try it even though it said it was for an extreme music version and mine is a retail boxed extreme Gamer...ran the ctzapxx.exe program under the drivers i386 dir. and updated all drivers including shared. Now everything works!!!!! "

Thanks once again - I'll have a look at this.

This issue has taken up a lot of time already so I'm reluctant to take more drastic action. Everything else is working so well - particularly the 6600GT card.

yes i can understand that

I had this
LN9928
Terratec Aureon 5.1 PCI Sound Card £10.49 £12.33
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=176635

After the hassles with a Creative SB Live from years back, this Terratec installed so easily
They do 7.1 as well stocked by Scan

Ah - that was my next question! Also the Auzentech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS has received good reviews but I don't know anyone who has one.

Comments anyone?

Unknown to me as well, what speakers have you got then?

Check this, it has a bunch of review links including some for Auzentech
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=710828