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Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio software upgrade?
I have an E1505 running XP (not going to take the Vista plunge anytime soon) that I had to purchase in a bit of a rush. I overlooked audio and so it has only basic audio.
I figured that I was just stuck with the audio I've got. But I recently became aware that the Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio option that was the next step up for the (pre-Vista) E1505 was all software. Which means I might not be stuck with basic audio after all.
I got on the chat with both Dell's Tech Support and their Sales folks and they told me different things. The Tech Support guys told me I could upgrade to Audigy, but they then directed me to Sales, who promptly told me that no upgrade was possible. One thing I haven't been able to get straight is: even if I had originally purchased the Audigy Advanced HD Audio option, would the hardware have been exactly the same? In other words, is this particular Audigy upgrade REALLY a software-only upgrade? If not, why can I not (as the Sales guy said) purchase it after the fact and install it on my laptop?
I've looked around and I've seen some people say it really is a software-only thing, but one or two things saying that there's actually a chip (actual hardware) that does facilitate things. Before I go and wrestle with Dell tech/sales folks again, I wanted to know if anyone had more definitive information.
Thanks.
I figured that I was just stuck with the audio I've got. But I recently became aware that the Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio option that was the next step up for the (pre-Vista) E1505 was all software. Which means I might not be stuck with basic audio after all.
I got on the chat with both Dell's Tech Support and their Sales folks and they told me different things. The Tech Support guys told me I could upgrade to Audigy, but they then directed me to Sales, who promptly told me that no upgrade was possible. One thing I haven't been able to get straight is: even if I had originally purchased the Audigy Advanced HD Audio option, would the hardware have been exactly the same? In other words, is this particular Audigy upgrade REALLY a software-only upgrade? If not, why can I not (as the Sales guy said) purchase it after the fact and install it on my laptop?
I've looked around and I've seen some people say it really is a software-only thing, but one or two things saying that there's actually a chip (actual hardware) that does facilitate things. Before I go and wrestle with Dell tech/sales folks again, I wanted to know if anyone had more definitive information.
Thanks.
tigerwolf7
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Posted February 6th, 2007 19:00
I wouldn't buy that software regardless, as the real issue is the (possibly) junky sound hardware, which a piece of software can't change. Besides which, as you mentioned, it doesn't even work under Vista.- Well you apparently can't buy the software separately even if you want to. I've spent the entire morning bouncing back and forth between Dell and Creative Labs. Dell Sales says they don't sell it and never have, even though Dell Tech Support seems to think they do. There's an "Integrated Audigy Invitation" demo available from the Drivers & Downloads page which eventually leads to Creative's site where you can theoretically buy an activation key for the Audigy Advanced HD Audio app. Which you can -- except they don't provide the actual software! (The "Invitation" demo is apparently just a stub, not the whole thing whose full features you can just unlock with the key.)
I called Creative, they said talk to Dell. I talked to Dell, got disconnected from Tech Support three times before they finally concluded I should talk to Creative. I called Creative again, they said sorry again, but did give me a refund. So I let go of the idea of downloading the software from the Web and called Dell Sales to buy the actual physical CD, and they say they don't know what I'm talking about.
Ridiculous. If nobody is supporting this "Audigy Invitation" they should take it off the site. Jim Coates
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Posted February 7th, 2007 11:00
If you look in the Portable Audio FAQ there is a post about installing the upgrade and it says what I said about using the invitation. There is a link to report inaccurate information, and also a link to escalate issues that aren't being handled properly.
JimSseadoubleyou
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Posted February 11th, 2007 15:00
As others have said, this is a software upgrade ONLY, not a hardware upgrade! I do highly recommend it though (the sound effects with music are awesome and I wouldn't live without it)! The only problem...it is NOT compatible with VISTA:( No VISTA for me until I buy a new computer...which won't be for a while. If you have a valid code for the software, I could burn you a copy of the software and send it to ya:P- Linus,I've sent you a private message on this forum with updated information. Also, if you are still having a problem with this issue, let me know. I don't work for Dell, but I had related issues and have contact with someone at Dell that can cut through the red tape for you.
Jim Coates
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Posted February 6th, 2007 10:00
You can bypass the the sales folk by installing the 'Creative Labs Audigy Invitation' from your downloads page:
XP drivers for 6400/E1505
Look under 'Audio Drivers'. If you click the link 'View compatible systems' you will see that yours is listed.
Caveat: I don't have the upgrade or a system that can use it. For more info send a p.m. to forum member E1505x2. He has researched the software quite a bit.
link
Jim