simcalnet

I recently built a new computer from scratch and I can't get my sound card to work. This is what I have. Intel Core 2 Duo E6600, ASUS P5B Deluxe mobo, Corsair XMS 2x1024 dual channel, Sound card = Creative Labs Soundblaster X-Fi Platinum, BFG GeForce 7900 GT OC 256MB graphics card. Windows XP Pro. Seagate Barracuda 750GB perpendicular recording. I disabled the on board sound and checked all my connections many times over, I've uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers and software at least 10 times, I've updated to the latest drivers. I've uninstalled all and any virus and malware programs that I had before installing the drivers and software. The funny thing is I gave up trying and turned on the onboard sound and it started working for about a couple of hours. There is one error in device manager with a yellow exclamation point under the heading Other Devices with a sub of PCI devices. I have no idea why it's there because it hasn't been there all this time. When I remove the drivers and software of the soundcard and I check in the device manager the drivers are missing under Multimedia Device. I'd appreciate any help. I even brought my computer to a local computer tech shop and after two technicians worked on it for two hours they gave up. I called tech support and they told me to uninstall and reinstall and call them back. I know the card works because it did for a couple of hours.

chauffeur2

Hi simcalnet, and Welcome to TSF!

I'm looking at the possibility that maybe the soundcard might be faulty; having said that, let's go through a process of elimination first...

Step One: Have you tried using another PCI slot for your soundcard as yet?
If not, try moving it to another pci slot and see what happens.
Whilst its out, give the contacts of the card a gentile clean with a school eraser, making sure that you clean it thoroughly afterwards with a lint free cloth, to leave no residue on the contacts.
Let the "New Hardware Wizard" detect it and install the drivers for it.
If this is not successful, then try Step Two:

Step Two: Remove all reference to the soundcard, and physically remove it from the computer.
Go into the BIOS and enable your on-board sound, and power up the computer.
Now if you have sound operating; then, the possibility still exists that the card could be faulty.

The majority of soundcards are very hungry and require power to drive them adequately, so we need you to post the specs, make/model of your Power Supply Unit [This information can be found on the sticker attached to the side of the PSU].
We will also need to find out how your PSU is running, as far as voltages are concerned, and the best [and simpliest] way to do this is look in my signature for "SensorsViewPro™", download and install the program and tell us the numbers that appear on the opening screen; in fact a screenshot of this would be ideal, as it will also tell us the temperatures of your system, which could also be a factor in your case.
Posting your full system specs would also assist us a great deal in determining your issue, so, go to the link. "Everest™ Home Edition" in my signature; read the instructions, and post the specs from the 'Computer Section' on the "Summary" page.
When submitting all the info, please tell us how many case fans you have inside your machine.
Post back with any queries/concerns.