FEAR sound issue

[aheartattack]

Everytime I start fear, it crashes [black scrren...have to ctrl+alt+del out]. If I use config and disable sound, then it plays ok. I think I saw somewhere that it's coz of EAX 2.0 or something. Is there any way I can play with sound? This is my system:

P4 2.8E, 1GB ddr400, msi 875pneo fis2r motherboard, msi fx5900xt

The mb uses soundmax integrated audio. I've updated the drivers.

 

[40sTheme]

Oops, computer went nuts for a second, double posted.

 

[40sTheme]

Hmm, make sure that it isn't running on hardware accelerated sound. I've forgotten at this moment how to turn that off, but I do believe it is in the configuration utility.

 

[aheartattack]

I tried "disable hardware sound", "disale sound filters" and both....but if "disable sound" is unchecked, fear crashes on start. I can keep all the other options enabled in the config utility, except for sound. By the way, my soundmax driver version is 5.12.1.3538.

 

[40sTheme]

Hmm... try to just disable music. Then, if that works, go to your performance settings and lower all the sound options to the lowest possible settings (although I think there's only one sound option). Also, if you ever get the chance, I recommend upgrading from the integrated audio. Believe me, the change is tremendous when you move from that to a Sound Blaster Audigy High Def sound card. If those settings don't work, I guess you're going to have to play without sound, because I know no other options... Also, that video card's going to have a rough time with FEAR. If you don't care about playing on close to minimum graphics, you're fine.

 

[aheartattack]

Fixed it. It's got nothing to do with the hardware or fear settings. I had ace mega codecs packs installed with prof settings. I lowered the ace codec settings by disabling some [chose player settings]. That fixed it. It seems there was a conflict in the ace and fear mp3 codecs. Thanks for your help. And the card is pretty old and darn well overclocked. I can get medium to low with 1024x768, 4x AA, 2x anisotropic. Gives about 25~35 fps on the average. I'm trying to hold out till a vista system. My board has only agp, see. I might get a mid vga upgrade if I get too frustrated, though. I mainly play UT2004 and very little Half life 2. And tey run on max specs. But fear and oblivion make the temp upgrade very mouthwatering....