rec.autos.simulators

by **Ed Kloskowsk** » Tue, 13 Feb 2001 12:31:17

I am having a wierd problem with N4.

I seem to have static or very poor qulaity sounds being played. Its mostly
the engine sounds but when the spotter breaks in or there is about to be
something happening that would be a sound bit the graphics seem to skip a
frame or two though the average reamins high it makes me over correct.

I have an SBlive value
Duron 700
256 meg ram

if any of it actually makes a difference, has anyone else experiuanced this
or have some ideas?

thanks
ed

by **Race15** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 00:43:07

Although not quite the same thing, I notice that when I get on the grass or an
accident happens, the sound seems to distort something terrible. Any
suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated

I have an SBLive soundcard
P3 600
256 megs ram
geforce 256 (32 meg)

Thanks
Mike

by **Tom Pabs** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 03:18:30

Ed....

The sound card tech sites.....and the motherboard tech sites are pretty much
swamped with information about the SB Live sound cards....all models.

The problem you are having seems to be the same issue most of us SB Live
sound card users have had for around a year or so now. The "fix" is
somewhat technical.....if you built your own system you'll have the "skills"
to do the fix for this yourself (maybe). Email me and I'll give it to you.
If you didn't, your best bet is to call Creative Tech Support...and have
them talk you through a complete re-installation of your SB Live sound card.

The "problems"....characterized by distored sound in many "games" is because
the SB Live sound card only works properly on certain IRQ's and in certain
configurations and must always reside by itself on an IRQ setting (no IRQ
sharing, except with PCI Bus Steering). That varies with the mobo/cpu
platform......its not a "cut and dry" issue. Also, with many of AMD/mobo
platforms, the mobo's are late model units and no longer contain ISA slots.
This could the case with you.....looking at your "specs" (always include
your ops sys and DX version when giving computer specifications by the
way.......these are often more important than what cpu you have, ok?). If
your mobo does not have any ISA slots....then you have an added problem to
go along with the one I mention above. That is: The SB Live sound card
series actually needs two IRQ assignments, one for the SB Live "package" and
one for the SB 16 Emulation (dos driver). The SB 16 Emulation requires
that you "reserve resources for Legacy" in your system BIOS for the SB 16
Emulation IRQ.....or this choppy, scratchy, distorted sound problem is
excacerbated.

Also, to further create a mess for SB Live sound card users......if you have
installed Windows98 with ACPI enabled (which would be the case if you, A.
didn't know about this problem, or B. purchased your computer from a
standard manufacturer like Dell, HP, Compaq, etc.)....then you should just
be lucky your SB Live card even works at all. Even with all the "fixes"
above....if you are using Win98 or Win98SE...and have ACPI enabled.....you
SB Live card will not work properly, cause system crashes and
"hangs".....lots of "blue screens of death" as you often see them referred
to (usually these are "page fault" errors that crash your system, rather
than generate the standard Windows Page Fault error dialogue). There is no
"fix" for this ACPI problem.....at least there is no "known" fix......and
the "problems" are so varied it is very difficult to pin them down to an
ACPI "issue".....most people don't relate the random problems they have with
their computers to this single source......but indeed, that is usually the
case. The only way this issue can be resolved is to do a complete "fdisk,
reformat C...and re-install Win98 or Win98SE and "disabled" or turn off ACPI
(in favor of APM) in the installation process. Depending on what version of
Win98/SE you have to install....you may or may not be given this "option"
during the install process. Therefore, you have to use an "install flag" on
the Win98SE to turn off ACPI.

If you want to make a check to see if this is your problem (likely....but
not certain).....and if the hour or so telephone call with Creative Tech
Support (after waiting to get a tech support person on the phone with
you)....is worth the trouble and WILL solve your problem....you can do the
following: Go into your System Information, choose Hardware and select IRQ
settings list. If your "SB 16 Emulation" and/or the "Creative SB Live
Series" entries share the assigned IRQ with any other device (except PCI
Steering...which is "ok")...then having Creative Tech Support talk you
through a clean re-installation of the SB Live sound card....assigned to the
proper IRQ's is well worth the time and effort. This may also eliminate or
reduce the ACPI problems associated with it....but not guaranteed (its maybe
a 50/50 chance). In addition to checking for IRQ sharing....if those two SB
entries are on any IRQ other than 5, 7 or 9.......the phone call is worth it
even if they are not "sharing"....since those are the IRQ's that the SB Live
sound cards "like".....anything else may cause problems anyway.

By the way, if you happen to mention this ACPI problem to the Creative Tech
Support person.....if he/she is going by the "company book" they'll claim to
not know what your are talking about. If the person is a "good
guy"....maybe he'll let you know where they stand at the moment on fixing
this issue. I have had both experiences....depends on the tech support
person you get.

I hope this is helpful information. I know I've not given you a
"fix".....but its too complicated to write out in an email message,
especially not knowing your "computer tech" knowledge and comfort level.

To "others" reading this post.....if you have an SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer.....or
the full-blown series of the card, the "Platinum" version....these "issues"
are even more prevalent than with the "Value" cards. Again, unless you've
built your own computers, are comfortable editing your BIOS, system registry
and so forth.....you must call Creative Tech Support.

Regards,

Tom

by **Mike Donnelly J** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 04:07:58

Woah!!! I was told that upgrading to the SB Live card from my AWE 64 would help
me out. You mean I could be walking into trouble with this upgrade???

> Ed....

> The sound card tech sites.....and the motherboard tech sites are pretty much
> swamped with information about the SB Live sound cards....all models.

> The problem you are having seems to be the same issue most of us SB Live
> sound card users have had for around a year or so now. The "fix" is
> somewhat technical.....if you built your own system you'll have the "skills"
> to do the fix for this yourself (maybe). Email me and I'll give it to you.
> If you didn't, your best bet is to call Creative Tech Support...and have
> them talk you through a complete re-installation of your SB Live sound card.

by **Stephen Smit** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 04:45:35

Tom!

Calm down, man--you're sounding hysterical. I've installed 4 SBL! cards 6
times (moved 2 twice) on both P2/3 and K7 CPUs, on mobos w & w/o legacy ISA
slots, altho never w. SB16 support (who plays DOS games anymore?), and the
only problems I've ever had were cured with the latest drivers, or, in 2
instances (before I knew better), moving the sound card away from the AGP
slot. Take it easy; you'll blow a gasket at this rate....

--Steve

> Ed....

> The sound card tech sites.....and the motherboard tech sites are pretty
much
> swamped with information about the SB Live sound cards....all models.

> The problem you are having seems to be the same issue most of us SB Live
> sound card users have had for around a year or so now. The "fix" is
> somewhat technical.....if you built your own system you'll have the
"skills"
> to do the fix for this yourself (maybe). Email me and I'll give it to
you.
> If you didn't, your best bet is to call Creative Tech Support...and have
> them talk you through a complete re-installation of your SB Live sound
card.

> The "problems"....characterized by distored sound in many "games" is
because
> the SB Live sound card only works properly on certain IRQ's and in certain
> configurations and must always reside by itself on an IRQ setting (no IRQ
> sharing, except with PCI Bus Steering). That varies with the mobo/cpu
> platform......its not a "cut and dry" issue. Also, with many of AMD/mobo
> platforms, the mobo's are late model units and no longer contain ISA
slots.
> This could the case with you.....looking at your "specs" (always include
> your ops sys and DX version when giving computer specifications by the
> way.......these are often more important than what cpu you have, ok?). If
> your mobo does not have any ISA slots....then you have an added problem to
> go along with the one I mention above. That is: The SB Live sound card
> series actually needs two IRQ assignments, one for the SB Live "package"
and
> one for the SB 16 Emulation (dos driver). The SB 16 Emulation requires
> that you "reserve resources for Legacy" in your system BIOS for the SB 16
> Emulation IRQ.....or this choppy, scratchy, distorted sound problem is
> excacerbated.

> Also, to further create a mess for SB Live sound card users......if you
have
> installed Windows98 with ACPI enabled (which would be the case if you, A.
> didn't know about this problem, or B. purchased your computer from a
> standard manufacturer like Dell, HP, Compaq, etc.)....then you should just
> be lucky your SB Live card even works at all. Even with all the "fixes"
> above....if you are using Win98 or Win98SE...and have ACPI
enabled.....you
> SB Live card will not work properly, cause system crashes and
> "hangs".....lots of "blue screens of death" as you often see them referred
> to (usually these are "page fault" errors that crash your system, rather
> than generate the standard Windows Page Fault error dialogue). There is
no
> "fix" for this ACPI problem.....at least there is no "known" fix......and
> the "problems" are so varied it is very difficult to pin them down to an
> ACPI "issue".....most people don't relate the random problems they have
with
> their computers to this single source......but indeed, that is usually the
> case. The only way this issue can be resolved is to do a complete "fdisk,
> reformat C...and re-install Win98 or Win98SE and "disabled" or turn off
ACPI
> (in favor of APM) in the installation process. Depending on what version
of
> Win98/SE you have to install....you may or may not be given this "option"
> during the install process. Therefore, you have to use an "install flag"
on
> the Win98SE to turn off ACPI.

> If you want to make a check to see if this is your problem (likely....but
> not certain).....and if the hour or so telephone call with Creative Tech
> Support (after waiting to get a tech support person on the phone with
> you)....is worth the trouble and WILL solve your problem....you can do the
> following: Go into your System Information, choose Hardware and select
IRQ
> settings list. If your "SB 16 Emulation" and/or the "Creative SB Live
> Series" entries share the assigned IRQ with any other device (except PCI
> Steering...which is "ok")...then having Creative Tech Support talk you
> through a clean re-installation of the SB Live sound card....assigned to
the
> proper IRQ's is well worth the time and effort. This may also eliminate
or
> reduce the ACPI problems associated with it....but not guaranteed (its
maybe
> a 50/50 chance). In addition to checking for IRQ sharing....if those two
SB
> entries are on any IRQ other than 5, 7 or 9.......the phone call is worth
it
> even if they are not "sharing"....since those are the IRQ's that the SB
Live
> sound cards "like".....anything else may cause problems anyway.

> By the way, if you happen to mention this ACPI problem to the Creative
Tech
> Support person.....if he/she is going by the "company book" they'll claim
to
> not know what your are talking about. If the person is a "good
> guy"....maybe he'll let you know where they stand at the moment on fixing
> this issue. I have had both experiences....depends on the tech support
> person you get.

> I hope this is helpful information. I know I've not given you a
> "fix".....but its too complicated to write out in an email message,
> especially not knowing your "computer tech" knowledge and comfort level.

> To "others" reading this post.....if you have an SB Live 5.1
X-Gamer.....or
> the full-blown series of the card, the "Platinum" version....these
"issues"
> are even more prevalent than with the "Value" cards. Again, unless you've
> built your own computers, are comfortable editing your BIOS, system
registry
> and so forth.....you must call Creative Tech Support.

> Regards,

> Tom

> > I am having a wierd problem with N4.

> > I seem to have static or very poor qulaity sounds being played. Its
> mostly
> > the engine sounds but when the spotter breaks in or there is about to be
> > something happening that would be a sound bit the graphics seem to skip
a
> > frame or two though the average reamins high it makes me over correct.

> > I have an SBlive value
> > Duron 700
> > 256 meg ram

> > if any of it actually makes a difference, has anyone else experiuanced
> this
> > or have some ideas?

> > thanks
> > ed

by **Andre Warring** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 07:44:11

<SNIP>

Whoa Tom, you use a lot of words to tell someone to call Tech Support!
;)

Andre

by **Tom Pabs** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 08:08:54

Guys....I was trying to provide a comprehensive answer......I'm as calm as
can be and have had no problems with SB Live cards for months now.
When's the last time you called CL Tech Support.....better make sure you
have plenty of food, supplies and cigs (if you smoke)....its a multi-hour
process at the minimum. I don't recommend calling any tech support line
without having good reasons....and I was trying to provide them.

Keep in mind.....how you "read" the posts.....isn't exaclty how they may
have been "typed." You know?

Tom Pabst

by **Don Burnett** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 09:12:48

Have you tried experimenting with your sound settings in N4?
Ie, reduce the number heard, run eax instead of direct sound, tried it with
3d enabled and disabled? You might find a setting that clears it up for you.
If none of that works, you might try reducing the hardware acceleration a
notch for your Live card.

--
Don Burnette

by **Don Burnett** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 09:14:49

Speaking for me, I absolutely love my Live card. I have had it in my system
a couple of years, and it pretty much rocks in all my sims/games. I wouldn't
swap it for anything.
For me, N4 - with this card and my Klipsch 4 speaker/sub setup, absolutely
sounds incredible.

--
Don Burnette

> Woah!!! I was told that upgrading to the SB Live card from my AWE 64
would help
> me out. You mean I could be walking into trouble with this upgrade???

> > Ed....

> > The sound card tech sites.....and the motherboard tech sites are pretty
much
> > swamped with information about the SB Live sound cards....all models.

> > The problem you are having seems to be the same issue most of us SB Live
> > sound card users have had for around a year or so now. The "fix" is
> > somewhat technical.....if you built your own system you'll have the
"skills"
> > to do the fix for this yourself (maybe). Email me and I'll give it to
you.
> > If you didn't, your best bet is to call Creative Tech Support...and have
> > them talk you through a complete re-installation of your SB Live sound
card.

by **Don Burnett** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 09:17:27

I absolutely loathe having to call tech support for any manufacturer. I
think for the most part all tech support are about the same. If I have a
problem, I will do my dangest to try and solve it either through their faq's
or the usenet.
I can say though, I've had my Live card for a couple years now, and I have
not had a single problem with it to cause me to need to search out for
support for it.

--
Don Burnette

by **Ed Kloskowsk** » Wed, 14 Feb 2001 11:22:47

Thanks Tom, I did build it myself and wen through the trouble of seeing that
the LIVE was alone out there on PCI slot #3 (for the ASUS A7V) and that it
had its own IRQs, but I may have to back and check as I never really did
think about it much after it was built and I had sound....

ed