Creative X-Fi Driving Me Crazy

[Major_A]

Awhile back I posted that my computer wasn't shutting down properly. Turns out it has to do with the X-Fi. Sorry can't find the link to the "fix" that didn't fix my problem.

Now I'm getting another issue. The 5.1 system I have is acting flakey with different games.
Examples:
1) Battlefield Bad Company 2 will only work correctly if the audio is set to 4.1 in the Creative Console.
2) Singularity will only work correctly if it is set to 2.1 in the Creative Console. The sounds do work in 5.1 but the radio chatter doesn't play.

At this point I'm ready to rip this $125 piece of garbage out of the computer and install Realtek's HD software. At least with Realtek they update their drivers every month.

Thoughts?

[Sttm]

I like my Asus Xonar DX, noticeably better sound on my Sennheiser Headphones (mainly in being able to pick up little details in music or sounds) then the mobo audio, and my old xfi xtreme music, and it only cost me $70.

[InspectahACE]

I'm assuming you updated the most current drivers? You didn't say but I had to ask at least. I don't use the Creative Console since I get the same options in the "Creative Audio Control Panel" that was installed with the driver alone

Are you using headphones? (silly to ask but I have to disable EAX in Bioshock 1 and 2 when I use my G35 headset since it doesn't do EAX)

[Major_A]

Latest driver, that I know of. You're right I use the Creative Audio Control Panel not the Creative Console. No I don't use headphones, didn't spend $300 on a surround sound system to not use it.

[InspectahACE]

No I don't use headphones, didn't spend $300 on a surround sound system to not use it.

Point taken lol.

I haven't really had any issues with the X-Fi's so I apologize for not being much more help on this. I've never changed the function from Game Mode(even when playing movies or music) so I don't know if that matters or not.

[Major_A]

Mine's been on game mode since I bought the card. If I feel like sticking my head under my table I might pull it and see if Realtek works correctly. If it does then the X-Fi can collect dust.

Creative = good hardware/terrible software. After having mixed results with my Audigy MP3+ many moons ago I should've known better than forking out the money on an X-Fi.

[Major_A]

Ok so I updated to the beta version of the Creative Console. Open it up and there is a place for speaker setup. I set it to 4.1 and click okay. Then I hit the auto detect button and selects 5.1. However, when I run the speaker test my center speaker doesn't make a sound. I know for a fact my center speaker works, all I have to do is open up iTunes there is music coming out of it.

Is my X-Fi the culprit or is my Logitech Z-5300 system the one screwing up?

[InspectahACE]

Weird..I'd try out the Realtek if you haven't already yet and do the speaker test on that

[Major_A]

Guess I'm going to have to try it. Any idea if there would be an issue if I left the Creative software installed? I don't feel like finding the disc that came with the card so I can reinstall Dolby Digital. Then after that installs I have to install all the new software that's come out since.

[InspectahACE]

I'd say give it a shot with them still installed. I have my g35, my 5.1 speakers and the Nvidia HD audio driver(comes with 400 series drivers) all installed and it lets me choose which one I want for default usage. So go for it and see. I was gonna say it might cause a conflict til I realized I had all that installed lol

[Major_A]

My own stupidity is running rampant these days. First this issue then the one with my Eee PC.
http://forums.legitreviews.com/about28727.html

Turns out I had the selector switch on my Z-5300 set to 4 speakers. Switched it over to 5 and wow now everything works right. After seeing that it vaguely made me think of why I did it in the first place. As I recall my SB (go figure) Audigy was giving me issues in a few games so I tired 4.1 and it worked fine. Keep in mind this is probably 3-4 years ago with old hardware and Windows XP. I need to go back and RTFM before I open my mouth.

[InspectahACE]

I need to go back and RTFM before I open my mouth.

We all have those moments Glad to hear it worked out for ya