SB Vibra128 Issues

[G Man]

I've got a problem with the creative vibra 128 card i've just put in this computer to replace the onboard sound. Whenever any sound is played, skipping and garbage sounds (similar to those on damaged mp3s or cds) is heard. I've tried the following:

-new drivers
-messing around with directx sound hardware acceleration
-messing around with settings in specific software, eg. winamp (both directsound out and waveout did the same, waveout was actually a little worse)

The sound only happens when the computer is actually doing something, for example i'll play a song in winamp and it'll start to do it, but a minute later when the computer is almost idle (and the song is still playing) it'll be fine.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. And also greatly appreciated would be a lack of advice saying to replace the card etc, i can't afford it.

[NooNoo]

Still running on that 233? :D

IRQ issues is what you may have. You need that sound card not sharing with anything else. What irq(s) is it using and what are they sharing with?

[G Man]

hahahahahahahha!
You either have a very good memory or you've been doing your research, NooNoo!!! Well, no, it's a different computer now, just as bad though! A celeron 1000 with a cheap jetway mobo that does most of what i need it to, anyway. But anyway, I put this sound card in coz the onboard refused to give me line in or microphone support. I'll take a look at the IRQ's, thanks :D


EDIT: Update -- just checked out the IRQ's and the sound card is on the same IRQ as the network card, USB controller AND the onboard video! Christ! Looks like i've found my problem. Will check back when i've changed it and rebooted.


EDIT No.2: (maybe i should wait before editing so quick!) How on earth do i change IRQ settings in windows 2000!??!?!

[NooNoo]

On this occasion, good memory.... ;)

[G Man]

Ok, after a little research I've discovered that there is no way to change the IRQ.... any ideas?

[NooNoo]

Right you have two choices - play the slot shuffle, each slot has an irq - but it shares with something always... check your motherboard manual for what shares with what.

2nd choice, reinstall 2k and press f5 when it says press f6 to load scsi and choose standard hal. This will effectively tell win2k to bypass acpi and its attendant irq sharing. You will then be able to set irqs from the bios if the board allows it or 2k should then allow you to change the irqs for the devices.

[G Man]

Mmmm, I just tried that actually, the slot shuffle... It's on its own IRQ now, but I'm still getting the problem. Not as bad as before, but it's still there. I couldnt be bothered reinstalling Win2k, I might not even work! So i'll just have to shut up and put up!

[NooNoo]

What chipset?

[confus-ed]

Originally posted by NooNoo
Right you have two choices - play the slot shuffle, each slot has an irq - but it shares with something always... check your motherboard manual for what shares with what.

2nd choice, reinstall 2k and press f5 when it says press f6 to load scsi and choose standard hal. This will effectively tell win2k to bypass acpi and its attendant irq sharing. You will then be able to set irqs from the bios if the board allows it or 2k should then allow you to change the irqs for the devices.

Mostly isn't there usually one slot that doesn't share ? ... though that'd of course depend on motherboard ... experience tells me usually slot 1 nearet agp isn't shared - if you have an agp card that's no good as you can't generally use it then, but also often the last slot is also unique ... only three slots can share anyway under acpi (so more slots is more chance of having a unique one).

My research of whether a machine could change irq assignments would be to open bios ... & look for a screen like this :D ...
http://www.hardware-one.com/reviews/p3c2000/images/IRQ_BIOS.jpg

If you can't see something like that you can't change 'em in bios ... other than swapping slots ...

In Noo's method above you also want to diable acpi in bios before re-running setup ? methinks ? ...

[NooNoo]

You forgot one important point confus-ed - he said jetway.... :eek2:

Anywho, having done 16 installs on the trot trying to sort out a similar issue on a 440bx chipset qdi board, I can tell you it matters not, if you force a standard hal the 2k stops trying to be the bios too. :D

[G Man]

Well I'm unsure if any of this IRQ stuff matters, considering i changed the slot and consequently got it to change IRQ, on one which isnt shared, and I've still got the problem. The chipset is a VIA PLE133 by the way, NooNoo

[confus-ed]

Originally posted by G Man
... The chipset is a VIA PLE133 by the way ...

Via chipset patch installed ? (http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2)

[G Man]

Erm, which patch is that? I've got the latest hyperions and the USB patch... is there more i should know about?

[NooNoo]

When the 686b southbridge was first released, motherboard manufacturers and VIA discovered a problem when trying to transfer files between the primary and the secondary IDE channels on motherboards using ultra-DMA, when a Sound Blaster Live was plugged in and drivers activated. This issue was caused because too much noise is transferred across the PCI bus by the Sound Blaster Live driver set. In an attempt to fix this issue, some motherboard manufacturers modified their BIOS. In some instances, these modifications to the BIOS caused a data corruption error even when not using a Sound Blaster Live. VIA released a patch which resolves this issue, which is incoroporated in the 4in1 drivers from the 4.31 version onwards. Motherboard manufacturers were advised to change the modifications made to thier BIOS to elimate the data corruption issue. If you are experiencing data corruption or lock up when transferring files between two IDE drives: 1) Make sure you have the latest BIOS from your motherboard manufacturer. 2) Make sure you have the latest 4in1 drivers 3) Make sure when you set up your system that you install the 4in1 drivers both before and after you install the SBL to make sure that the drivers see your SBL and install the correct patch. The patch will only install if the SBL is installed.


From via arena faqs... Now, did the hyperions get installed BEFORE the sound drivers where added?

I also vaguely remember a timing issue with via chipsets and certain cards.

[G Man]

I see what you're getting at.... Hyperions were installed before sound drivers, so I spose I'll try running the hyperion setup again now?

[NooNoo]

No that is the correct way round... hyperions before any other drivers then add the rest.

So you are left with bios flash, or perhaps your vibra is a little old in the tooth.

[G Man]

I see.... Well I'll see what i can do about getting a sound card somewhere, thanks NooNoo. In the meantime, Vibra128, I'd like you to meet lighter..... exploding capacitors are fun

[geoscomp]

from NooNoo's via faq's

"Make sure when you set up your system that you install the 4in1 drivers both before and after you install the SBL to make sure that the drivers see your SBL and install the correct patch. The patch will only install if the SBL is installed."


maybe you should reinstall the hyperions?

[CeeBee]

Originally posted by G Man
I've got a problem with the creative vibra 128 card i've just put in this computer to replace the onboard sound. Whenever any sound is played, skipping and garbage sounds (similar to those on damaged mp3s or cds) is heard. I've tried the following:[.....]Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. And also greatly appreciated would be a lack of advice saying to replace the card etc, i can't afford it.
Better off with the onboard sound than with Vibra!!!
We have few of them installed in different machines and I must admit they are a pain! They have a real issue with CPU usage and no matter what driver you try the sound is bad when you are working with the computer. My advice: get rid of it!

[G Man]

Thanks mate... thats what i've done pretty much. I found the drivers I needed to make my onboard sounds inputs work again and am now enjoying crackle and skip-free sound. I've already started popping the capacitors on the vibra... heh heh heh. Thanks for your help also, Noo Noo

[petrusali]

Where can I download the driver for Vibra128 (WinME)? I've tried to download from soundblaster.com for 3 times for it won't work. The file is corrupted. Thank you.

[NooNoo]

Welcome to Windrivers!!

What file name were you downloading? Which region did you try to download from?


After a bit of digging around and IF your vibra is the model CT481x or ct4740 this is the file you need (http://files.americas.creative.com/manualdn/Drivers/Others/267/SBAudioSetup_W2k.zip) if that is not your ct number then go here (http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/) and put in your ct number rather than choosing from the standard models.

[petrusali]

http://files.creative.com/manualdn/Drivers/Others/1843/SBPCI_WebDrvsV5_12_01.exe and http://files.americas.creative.com/manualdn/Drivers/Others/267/SBAudioSetup_W2k.zip

[NooNoo]

Those links mean you found your files OK?

[confus-ed]

Those links mean you found your files OK?

Methinks that's what he said in the first place - he's having troubles with what he tries to download from there - that's probably something else unconnected (like a virus or whatever) - I'm pressuming his downloaded 'zips' or whatever don't open once he's got them ??