Catilina 7.1 Sound Card Prob

Ok just got a new sound card I am trying to setup via optic cable to my Onkyo TX-DS494reciever. I am unable to get this to work. I know the card itself works, or at least the normal line-out socket works since I can plug my old speakers into it and hear sound yet the optic connection does not. I have tried setting the reciever to a video setting, accepting optical/auto and stero style yet nothing is working and I just can't figure it out. I swear when I first plugged the soundcard in for a few seconds before windows took over the install it was working through my speakers but I can't find any settings that would not allow it to work now, specifically as I have the digital out enabled. I am also working on a windows XP pro OS if helps. Any help would be appreciated as I am stuck

thanks,
Michael

PS Oh also there is a chance the optic cord is dead as it has not been used in quite some time but I believe it to be a very small chance, any way I can easily check if the cord is still good?

Ok new info I have finally gotten it to recognize the optic cord but it seems like the reciever isnt taking any info from the Turtle Beach program other than the fact its coming in over optical. I am unable to get it to use its full 5.1 features it will only play the front 2 and center and a little of the sub. is there some windows settings that could be disabling this or is it a better chance something happened to the back end of the receiver?

thanks
michael