You can disable Creative SB16 Emulation in Device Manager (assuming Windows 98). Right click on "My Computer" select Properties. Click on Device Manager tab. Then click on the small + where it says Creative Miscellaneous Devices.
You will see an expanded menu drop down. Double click Creative SB16 Emulation (or click once to highlight and then click the Properties button near the bottom of this window). Now you are at "Creative SB16 Emulation Properties"
Near the bottom click to put a check in the box for Disable in this Hardware Profile.
You can also elect not to install Creative SB16 Emulation during installation if you use the Custom install option.
If you contact Creative Tech Support they will e-mail instructions how to disable Creative SB16 Emulation in DOS so that it will not start up or use resources. According to Creative it still uses resources if disable in Device Manager.