gord

Creative Audigy 2 ZS card, Vista.

I recently upgraded my computer to Vista after being a long-time XP user. Since then I've been having issues with the sound. When playing mp3's, the audio will occasionally stutter with a static-y noise and will eventually just stop. When this happens, the mp3's (playing in Winamp) will not only not have sound, but won't even play. All audio will be muted at this point. Also, certain sound effects (like when I'm finished burning a disc in ImgBurn) have an extremely flangy effect to it.

It is an old card and the latest drivers I've seen from Creative date in 2007 some time. I also tried the ones released by Daniel K and haven't had any better luck.

It is time to maybe upgrade the card? I've been looking at an HT Omega Striker 7.1 on Newegg. I've made no hardware changes in this time and it worked perfectly in XP.

TIA.

Pauldo

Looking at Creatives support site for the Audigy 2 ZS their latest driver dates at March 23rd, 2009.

Just last week I know but might be worth a shot.

Pauldo

gord

I assume the drivers for the Audigy 4 will also work for the 2? I didn't find any Audigy 2-specific downloads.

Pauldo

Nah, they hide them in there 'older' soundcard section.

Here's the link: http://support.creative.com/Products...=Sound+Blaster

Pauldo

gord

Ah - thank you. I searched all over the site and couldn't find it.

Pauldo

No problem.

Let us know if it fixes the issue.

Also, in the future, there is a link at the bottom of Creatives main download page for Soundblaster cards that says 'If your product is not listed above, please click here' that will take you to there older card section.

Pauldo

gord

Yes - I completely missed that when I was searching. I see it now.

So far so good - the issues seem to have cleared up. Thanks for the help.

Any thoughts on the HT Omega Striker 7.1? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271001) Looks good but I might reconsider now that everything is working fine.

Pauldo

Take a look at the Asus Xonar D1: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829132007

It has better equipment than the HT Omega Striker but it doesn't have DTS support. Not sure what your needs are here but they both have Dolby Digital so unless you really need DTS than I would say the Asus is better.

And depending on what speakers you have, you should be able to tell the difference between your Audigy and the D1.

Just my 2 cents.

Pauldo

gord

I have to bump this thread since I'm still having problems. The new drivers have fixed the sound effect issues but I still have problems with the general audio. The audio stutters on an intermittent basis when playing mp3's or streamed audio. I notice it becomes really bad when Firefox is loading a page.

Any idea if this is a driver/OS issue or maybe the card is going bad or is not up to snuff? I have attached a file which may or may not let you hear what I'm talking about (it stutters when I play it, but I don't know if it's in the source or not). Thanks.

Attached Files

StutterExample.zip (178.7 KB, 1 views)

Pauldo

Have you taken a look in Task Manager to see if your cpu is going to 100% when this happens (or close to it)? You should be able to pinpoint which process if it is spiking.

Pauldo

gord

I'm not in front of my computer ATM (and won't be until Sunday night) but IIRC the CPU doesn't spike high at all. Last night, when listening to a stream, it stuttered constantly and the CPU got as high as 35 or so.

gord

Since the ASUS card has a rebate, I'm going to get it. Will it work with these speakers?: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836116153

Pauldo

Sorry it's been awhile, haven't had time lately.

Do you have the Asus card? Let us know how it's working.

Pauldo

gord

Just ordered it today *crosses fingers*