Proper way to install Audigy Platinum EX in Win7?

[mazeroth]

My Gigabyte motherboard has the Realtek on-board and when I installed Windows 7 it automatically installed the Windows sound driver. The sound worked, but I didn't have the Realtek control panel. SO, I went into Device Manager, uninstalled the "sound card", then downloaded the driver from Gigabyte and everything is working well.

Well, now I want to install an older Audigy Platinum EX (circa 2000ish) and want to make sure I do it correctly. What steps should I take? I'm thinking Device Manager, uninstall the current sound device. Then shut down, install new card in PCI slot, go into BIOS and disable onboard sound.

Next, is Win7 going to try to automatically install the Audigy sound card when I boot in, or is it going to give me the option to stop it and then do a manual install?

Also, is the the driver I should use? (just says Audigy)

http://support.creative.com/kb/showarticle.aspx?sid=61105

Sorry for the newbness, and thank you very much in advance.

 

[Infinite north]

This is actually why I haven't bothered with win7 on my desktop. there are no supported drivers for non x-fi cards really and someone tried to hack some drivers into working. That lead to a forum war for Creative while the drivers still are not in the best working order.

You can find a lot of info here: http://nomoregoatsoup.wordpress.com/audigy-drivers/

There is also a torrent with all of the stuff that Creative asked to be removed during the forum war. this includes some handy programs that you can install and possibly get working on your card. http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4106373/Creative.Soundblaster.Audigy.Series.Vista.Drivers[by.daniel_k]

I can't give you advice on installing any of it because I gave up. it seems like its a better option for me to just stick with xp until I make a whole new computer and give up on this sound card. I also won't be accountable for any issues you have because of this stuff. use at your own risk.

 

[SonicIce]

looks to me like the win 7 drivers are right there?

latest one is Creative Sound Blaster Audigy series driver 2.18.0017

i dont have win 7 but the process you described should work. and i assume u can stop the windows driver from installing and install your own

 

[CKent]

Your onboard will probably sound better than that card, and Creative's drivers are a nightmare even if they're made for your current OS. Save yourself the trouble... and save yourself future trouble by choosing a better brand if you ever buy another card.