Need Sound Card advice

[Boy914]

Hi.

I'll try to be brief. Here's my brand new system:
1.2 GHz AXIA
256MB PC2400 Corsair
Epox 8K7A+ (AMD 761 and Via 686)
Abit MX400
SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 X-Gamer
Generic NIC
Fireball Plus AS 30 gig
HP burner, Lite-On DVD

I've tried this twice now from scratch: I install Windows 98SE, update it. I install and update all of the drivers for my system EXCEPT for the SB Live! card (including mobo drivers). I install my SB Live! drivers, and my system will no longer reboot. Right before going into Windows, I get the Blue Screen O' Death, and can't get in at all. I tried this once with onboard sound enabled and once with it disabled. I made sure that I had the newest Via drivers, and it still fails every time.

I've heard about compatibility issues between SB Live! cards and the Via 686, but never this severe. The options I'm considering are: sell off the SB Live (too late to RMA) to an Intel owner and get a different one, or find a fix to make this one work.

Questions:
If I decide to sell, which sound card do you recommend (under $100)?
If I decide to work on it some more, how do I fix this?

Thanks in advance.
Rick

[Valid]

I heard that the SBLive series are finicky and that they use more IRQ's than they are supposed to. Try switching your PCI slots. Don't put it on a slot next to your NIC. I don't know that this will work, but it's something to try.

[oc jason]

Id go with the Turtle beach - i think it is called

[asmodean]

Well, for under $100... Maybe the Creative Audigy series, the 2 cheapest ones are around $80-$90, according to few websites.
I don't know when they're in shops, tho.

Before you go and buy an Audigy, try the beta drivers, they work with SB Live too. They're WDM - I'm not sure if 98SE supports WDM drivers, tho. You can get them from
here (http://www.tweakup.dk/audigy.rar). I'm using them with w2k, but I've not noticed any changes. It's a 54mb download.

Also, if you're not using ACPI, try assigning an IRQ for the SB Live, exclusively. W2k doesn't allow IRQ changing at all with ACPI and I guess 98SE does the same, but I might be wrong.

I hope this helps :)

[Boy914]

Well, since I posted I read an article on Viahardware.com about data corruption issues that persist even with the new drivers when using a SB Live! card. Although there may be a fix out there (something to do with PCI latency), my data is too important to risk it (who's isn't?), and I don't think a sound card is worth that much trouble, since I only have two 3-year-old speakers right now anyway. If this were the video card, it would be another story completely.

SO, it looks like my question is now a more simple one: which sound card should I buy that works with the Via 686B?

Thanks.
Rick

[Violator]

Are you using Highpoint RAID controllers?

BSOD are a common fault of the SB16 emulation, try disabling that.

Or ditch the Live and get a Game Theater XP :)

[KILLorBE]

I suggest a Hoontech iPhone XG If you're into making music or a
Terratec DMX Xfire 1024 if you're a gamer, both cards are ~$60 or less.
Specs Hoontech:
Chip: Yamaha YMF754
Channels: 4
Output: S/P DIF (coaxial/optical)
Input: CD,CD Digital,Aux,Mic,Line,Video,S/P DIF (coaxial/optical)

Specs Terratec:
Chip: Crystal 4624
Channels: 4
Output: S/P DIF (optical)
Input: CD (2x),CD Digital,Aux,Mic,Line

Good luck with your decision.

[!-=sky=-!]

well....did u install the live ware 3?

if u did then go into safe mode and remove it....this should solve your problems....my comp wont boot into windows(bsod) just b/c i installed liveware and it worked once i removed it

[Wa11y]

Everyone always complains about soundblaster cards and problems, but I've either owned or help setup/maintain four or five different SB cards on three or four different system setups, and I have yet to have ANY problems with them. In fact, I've never disabled SB16 emulation. I've run W95, 98, and 2K pro with no problems. Guess it's just luck of the draw?

[e laursen]

I would avoid a sound card based on the Yamaha chip if you are running a GeForce card. There is a conflict that intermittently corrupts your graphics on the "START" menu and sometimes your window control buttons (min, max, close). Not a big deal, but it gets really damn annoying after a while.

[Mindflayr]

Get the least expensive Card you can.. unless you plan on making Music or have a surround sound or Dolby Digital5.1 Oked Speakers..

alot of people dont realize but every card ever made up tio this date emulates a SB16 from 8 years ago- Humans cant hear any better than what an SB16 could do back then- the ionly thing youg et when you buy expensive card like SB Live or even Live Value- is bundled software and stupid functions liek being able to make it sound like Linkon Park is playing in your bathroom or a Hallway or a basement rather than their normal sounds- its a big scam.. sound card always have been with Creative being the evil giant behind conning peoplke out of their money.,. the best card ont he market today is creatives el cheapo PCI 128.. why you ask? Its a SB Live Value- the same exact hardware for sound processing- but no bundled software or "extra features"

Dont get me wrong- youll need a 100$ plus sound card if you want to plug your guitar into it or make actual Music CDs with your own recording software- but for Windows sounds and game playback there is really only 3 trhings to take into consideration..

Channles the Soundcard support- for 2-6 speakers... pci128 does Surround with 4 speakers and bass...

Whhether the card has SURROUND sound Capabilities.. and now if the card can run Dolby Digital 5.1 if you plan on using your PC as an entertainment center- thats alll that really matters for just listening...

I have 5 computers and i run all 20$ and under cards.. i have a friend with a Full SDB Live that was 150$ when he got it(when they came out) and it sounds EXACTLY the same in every regard- but he got a copy of UT with his :/...

[Thirus44]

go with snata cruz turtle beach. Great card. No as good for gaming as the SB but wayyyyyy better for music. And cheeper.:cool:

[bmxers21]

Hey guys, I have a Abit Bh6 with a 366a @ 550 and upgrade to a Asus CUSL2-C Black Pearl and a P3 1000 133 bus and I now need a sound card thats PCI I was looking at a SB pci 128 or PCI 512 or a Turtle BeachMontego II 320-Voice? I play Descent 1 and 2 and 3 and the first 2 are dos games. and money is VERY low so dont say get a SB live 5.1 hehe :0) what card will be better for me. all the cards are around $12 to $17. please help no sound is lame! :0)

[Mindflayr]

for the price id say the pci128 is the best generic card ont he market but the Montegro may have extra functions- never owned a turtle beach card but i know the 128pci is a good cheap buy.

[bmxers21]

cool I was looking at the SB PCI 512 and it said it has the same chip as the live and its only $15 well I can get it for $15 ;0)
anyone have more input?

[AZZKICKER]

Originally posted by Boy914
Hi.

I'll try to be brief. Here's my brand new system:
1.2 GHz AXIA
256MB PC2400 Corsair
Epox 8K7A+ (AMD 761 and Via 686)
Abit MX400
SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 X-Gamer
Generic NIC
Fireball Plus AS 30 gig
HP burner, Lite-On DVD

I've tried this twice now from scratch: I install Windows 98SE, update it. I install and update all of the drivers for my system EXCEPT for the SB Live! card (including mobo drivers). I install my SB Live! drivers, and my system will no longer reboot. Right before going into Windows, I get the Blue Screen O' Death, and can't get in at all. I tried this once with onboard sound enabled and once with it disabled. I made sure that I had the newest Via drivers, and it still fails every time.

I've heard about compatibility issues between SB Live! cards and the Via 686, but never this severe. The options I'm considering are: sell off the SB Live (too late to RMA) to an Intel owner and get a different one, or find a fix to make this one work.

Questions:
If I decide to sell, which sound card do you recommend (under $100)?
If I decide to work on it some more, how do I fix this?

Thanks in advance.
Rick

ok install SiSoft Sandra and look at your IRqs

sounds like IRQ problems

remember USB and RAID and serial ports and parrelle ports all take up IRQs
if not using them then turn all things not being use off in the bios
turen all IRQ assign off to in bios
let windows set them


Via boards make sure your running 4.32 4in1's and latest SBLive! drivers ( no betas )

try this and see if it solves your problems

[TUK101]

Originally posted by Boy914
Well, since I posted I read an article on Viahardware.com about data corruption issues that persist even with the new drivers when using a SB Live! card. Although there may be a fix out there (something to do with PCI latency), my data is too important to risk it (who's isn't?), and I don't think a sound card is worth that much trouble, since I only have two 3-year-old speakers right now anyway. If this were the video card, it would be another story completely.

SO, it looks like my question is now a more simple one: which sound card should I buy that works with the Via 686B?

Thanks.
Rick I have the guillamet MUSE sound card. I am running a via chipset as well and it works fine. It may not be the best soundcard out there, but with the speakers that you are running it shouls be a pretty descent card for you. Plus they are only about 20-30 dollars.:D