Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook, dont think its working

I don't know this for certain, but I believe the built-in laptop speakers will only get audio through the internal sound card.  An external sound card (such as this) would need to be connected to headphones, external PC speakers, receiver, etc., through the sound card, as opposed to the headphone output jack in the laptop itself.

 

With that said, you could try disabling the built-in sound-card and see if you have any change to the audio.

from what i read and the reason i purchased it is because its suppose to improve the laptop speakers.. i mean if i have to wear headphones i might as well return the sound card because that doesnt make sense to me...

 

i just dont know what i might be doing wrong because i have played music both with the card in the slot and out of it i just dont hear a difference... i dont know what settings i might have to change...

 

no manuals came with it and i am new to vista....

When you installed the software was the card in the slot? If not, try this: uninstall software, reboot with the card in the slot, reinstall software.

 

Another thing is to check to see if the card is the default audio device. In Vista: Control Panel / Hardware and Sound/ Sound (if you're using "Classic View" there's a direct link to "Sound" in the Control Panel), then click on the Playback tab.

 or right-click over the speaker icon in the System Tray > Playback Devices

 

 

Jim 

Sorry, the card only works with external speakers or head phones.  I suppose you could route the output to the line in jack of the laptop but that would be counter productive.  I can tell you that the audio quality is superior to what you get from the built in audio chip. 

You are correct.  If you're hearing audio from your laptop speakers it's not coming from you SoundBlaster.  I recommend checking the Windows device manager and confirming that windows recognizes the device.  Next check your audio properties and make sure there set for your X-Fi card.  I'm currently experiencing a similar problem.  Vista Ultimate doesn't seem to recognize the card.  If the driver software is installed Windows should recognize the card and load the software as soon as you plug it in.

 According to another forum member who has that card it does play through the internal speakers but I don't know the configuration. I saw a post on notebookforums.com that all you have to do is unplug the external speakers from the X-Fi. I know for sure that the Soundblaster's older pcmcia slot card could be routed to the internal speakers.

 

I'll try to get some confirmation about this.

 

Jim