Weird Sound Issue - Win 7

Question

I have noticed an odd problem with some windows .wav sound files. Every "windows navigation start" sound under every sound theme works fine -EXCEPT for the windows default theme. I can hear the "festival" click with no problem - it's just the standard "windows navigation start" under windows default theme that will not play. When you press test, no sound is emitted. Here are the things I have tried to rectify the problem of which none have worked.

1. Copied the "windows navigation start.wav" file from another source into the C drive to re-write the old file. (By the way, I couldnt directly copy and paste because it said I dont have permission - how do I change that?). I renamed the file and still no sound.

2. Used the System File Checker Tool. No problems found.

3. Tried IE8 with no add-ons.

4. Tried to update driver via device manager. It said I have the most recent driver installed. (however, the driver I have installed really does not match up with a driver I found on Creative's web site number wise - the numbers do not correspond.)

The odd thing is, if I play media from inside IE8, I can hear the click sound for about 30 seconds to 1 minute after I stop the media. I thought this particular sound file was the only problem; however I have Quicken 2010 installed and have noticed that several sounds from Quicken also do not work. In some instances, I can test the sound using the test button in the sound tab, but when I associates that file with an action in Quicken it does not work. Some Quicken sounds do not work at all.

I know there are other people out there experiencing the same issue. I am using a Dell Studio XPS 435/9000 running Windows 7 64 upgraded from Vista 64. I have a Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCI express card factory installed from Dell, using Logitech speakers. All music and movies and other media plays fine. This is a weird issue.

Does anyone have any ideas or know what is causing this problem? Also, has anyone downloaded drivers directly from creative instead of using Dell's? Like I said before, the driver numbers are not even close to resembling each other comparing Dell's driver # and creative's.

fireberd · Answer

There have a lot of problems with the SoundBlaster sound cards and Windows 7 - both the Dell installed models and the Retail model SoundBlasters. You must have the Windows 7 drivers, not the Vista drivers (although the Vista drivers work for most all other devices).

There is a Beta driver on the SoundBlaster site for some Xfi models. This Beta driver also fixes a "noise" problem on 64 bit systems with more than 3GB. I've seen posts, on this forum, of other users that have successfully used the Beta drivers. However, I've also worked with another user and the Beta drivers would not work with their Dell OEM model Xfi card. Best thing I can suggest is to try the Beta driver and see what happens.

HERE is the Beta driver download.

one-d · Answer

I recenly purchased a Dell 540 desktop with Win 7 installed, and  continues to have audio problems. This is the second system with the same problem. After contacting Dell support tech, and having them check the computer, it was determine that a new machine would be in order;  Got that one on 12/2/09, and I am still having the same problem. Downloaded all the latest drivers from Dell, but still nothing. Completed all the system checks recommended - but at a deadend.

fireberd · Answer

one-d, you should start a new thread, not add to this one (Hijack the thread). You have a different model PC and although you have "audio problems" (whatever they are you didn't say) it's not the "same" as the user that made the original post.

When you start a new thread, along with your PC Model Number and OS, include what type of sound you have - the basic Integrated (on the motherboard) or an optional SoundBlaster Xfi (and which model Xfi). Also state what the "audio problems" are so someone can try to assist you.

dannyro77 · Answer

Fireberd,

Thanks for the response and the link. When I took the link, if you click on the link right next to beta driver, (driver link) it gives you the latest non-beta driver released in June 2009. Why wouldnt I use the regular driver?

Also, the regular creative driver shows a version # of 1.04.0000 (released 6/30/09) (and says it supports Win 7, Vista, and XP) and the driver on the Dell driver says it is version # RC2.0 , A00-00, released 8/14/09. I have no idea if this is the same driver.

fireberd · Answer

All I know is that the Beta driver is the one that is being referenced on the Windows 7 forum and was what several on this forum found fixed their Xfi/Windows 7 problems.  What you do is your choice.

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Weird Sound Issue - Win 7

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