Creative Xi-Fi with 7.1 speakers reverts to 2/2.1 speakers

[9nines]

I used to have a system with XP Pro and an Audigy 2 sound card, using 7.1 speakers. I noticed about once a month, I would get no sound from back speakers. I would check my creative console and it would be on 2/2.1 speakers. I woudl change it back to 7.1 and it would work fine.

I have a new system, with a new sound card, Creative Xi-Fi Gamer. I use Vista Home Premium 64 now. For about 5 weeks I have no problems - it stays on 7.1 speakers. Just now, I noticed I was getting no sound. I checked and the Creative Console was set on 2/2.1 speakers. I changed it to 7.1 and rebooted and have sound now.

What causes this? Does plug-and-play get interrrupts messed up and the card does not have proper I/O and the console reverts to 2/2.1 - that is only guess I can make.

Is it a common problem? Any solution?

 

[Quiksilver]

The problem is probably just creative. or Perhaps it's just not synced with what windows thinks is default.

 

[CKent]

X-Fi cards are in high demand, you can sell it for close to what you paid and buy a good sound card made by a good manufacturer instead.

 

[PurdueRy]

IIRC there was a setting somewhere that allowed a program to change audio settings. So I use to have this problem with certain programs. Not sure if I ever fixed it.