BE WARE! D975XBX2, Vista, Sigmatel Audio, Vista Update

[vddobrev]

Just a heads up for anyone that is on Vista.
I am using Vista x64.
The Sigmatel drivers on Intel's website produce a "pop" effect in Vista MCE when Fastforward or Rewind buttons are pressed. Therefore, I use the native Vista High Definition Audio drivers.
Last night I noticed an optional update in Windows Update for Sigmatel drivers. I thought they might have fixed the issue. I tried to install the update several times, but it kept failing. Could not uninstall it either. I wanted to go back to Vista native driver, but couldn't.
I ended up installing the driver from Intel's site, then removing it. That fixed it.
Anyway, just wanted to warn people about this.

[seanriddle]

Intel just posted a newer Sigmatel driver for Vista. I installed it under Vista Ultimate 64-bit and it seems to work fine. No pops, buzzes, or long delays when switching tracks.

Sean

[vddobrev]

Why am I reluctant to try it out... can you say it adds any benefits and/or improvements compared to the native Vista HD Audio driver?

[gara56]

I tried downloading the SigmaTel driver using Vista update also and it didn't work either. I tried a couple of times and decided to forget about it. If Intel did release a new version--I would wait until it was certified for Vista before installing it. I'm currently using Microsoft's default HD Audio and it works without any problems on my Vista X64. I don't know if I want to mess things up by trying to install something that I probably don't need.
Besides--what are the benefits?

[seanriddle]

There's no readme file, so I don't know the differences, other than the obvious comparison to the last one that didn't work very well. It does say WHQL certified, but I think the last one did, too. This one does let you set the balance between all of your speakers. I thought the original one only let you set the left/right balance, but I may be mistaken. There's still no IAS for Vista.

Sean

[pokiegump]

All very interesting. I have an Intel D975XBX2 also. I built the PC myself and installed Vista-32 on it. I've had a few BSOD's. Most have been driver related. The one that continue to plague me is BC Code 124. When this BS occurs I hear static or a hiss in my speakers. I do not get the BS unless audio is playing. Interestingly, I used Windows Media Player all day without a hitch. Then playing a slideshow though Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 I got a BS. I have gotten BS's in AOL Instant Messenger also. Doesn't happen every day but has occured more thas once a day and sometimes a couples days without a failure. I have the latest SigmaTel 92xx driver from Intel. The date on the Driver in Device Driver list is 2/28/2007 although the date posted on Intel's website is 3/20/2007. The version is: 6.10.5405. I do not know how to install the native driver you have mentioned here. When I did an uninstall of the device, and rebooted, I had no sound although the driver was present and functioning. I had to load the software from Intel for the hardware to be recognized. So what do I do? I am sure my BSOD's are from the audio and not video. I've tested my memory until I am blue in the face witout errors. I do have an NVIDA video card and that is a whole other story but NVIDIA wis working on a good driver and I am on their BETA now. Can someone help me with this?

[vddobrev]

All very interesting. I have an Intel D975XBX2 also. I built the PC myself and installed Vista-32 on it. I've had a few BSOD's. Most have been driver related. The one that continue to plague me is BC Code 124. When this BS occurs I hear static or a hiss in my speakers. I do not get the BS unless audio is playing. Interestingly, I used Windows Media Player all day without a hitch. Then playing a slideshow though Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 I got a BS. I have gotten BS's in AOL Instant Messenger also. Doesn't happen every day but has occured more thas once a day and sometimes a couples days without a failure. I have the latest SigmaTel 92xx driver from Intel. The date on the Driver in Device Driver list is 2/28/2007 although the date posted on Intel's website is 3/20/2007. The version is: 6.10.5405. I do not know how to install the native driver you have mentioned here. When I did an uninstall of the device, and rebooted, I had no sound although the driver was present and functioning. I had to load the software from Intel for the hardware to be recognized. So what do I do? I am sure my BSOD's are from the audio and not video. I've tested my memory until I am blue in the face witout errors. I do have an NVIDA video card and that is a whole other story but NVIDIA wis working on a good driver and I am on their BETA now. Can someone help me with this?

This should work:

1. Uninstall Sigmatel driver from the control panel - Programs - Uninstall a program.
2. When yo reboot, the audio device shoud be recognized and installed as "High Definition Audio Device"
3. Open Up Control panel - Hardware and sound - Sound - Manage Audio devices
4. Select either speakers or digital depending on your connection, and set it as default
5. If you selected Digital, go into the Properties - Supported Formats and check DTS, Dolby Digital, as well as 48KHz.

[seanriddle]

AUD_ALLVISTA_6.10.5405_V73_PV_IDT.EXE

This is a Vista WHQL signed package for Intel Desktop boards.

Filename v072_5405_WRT_W.zip
4/23/07
PV version 5405 released for BL/BW/LP products.

Change log for 5405:

1. Updated WT2 config to correctly use the 9221 codec config.
2. Fix for Vista un-attended installs via server where the client would hang on reboot.
3. Fixed an issue when migrating from XP to Vista the MSFT HD audio class driver would still take precedence and load.
4. Modified configuration settings to reduce occurrence of the codec drop out seen during the XP DTM Common Scenario Stress Test.
5. Added ADAT support to optical output options.
6. Improved and complete configurations for all BL boards, both internal and ODM designs.
7. Certified for all LP/BW/BL boards using IDT codec.
8. Support for Isleton GB refresh.
9. Fix for audio stream stuttering seen when opening and closing streams.
10. Fixed FP GUI display error with OEM Coryville SKU.
11. Added 44.1 sample rate to fix Vista DTM test failure.



Note: It is still recommended that End Users remove the audio driver prior to performing a Vista Anytime Upgrade. We have an updated installer in test that will address this issue in a future release.

This submission to Microsoft has also been included in the MS WU program per your request.

[vddobrev]

WHQL? As soon as I installed this driver, I got a StacSV.exe has stopped working. I am still getting the popping in Vista MCE when I skip or replay.