Sound Cards - Reduced Function With OEM Pulls?

[Texun]

I noticed many sound cards (Creative Audigy and x-Fi) for sale on EB and would like to know if there are any limitations in the functionality when using OEM pulls from PC's like Compaq or Dell in a home built system?

A few years ago I bought a Creative Extreme Music (SB0460) that was an OEM pull from an HP unit. The drivers from Creative enabled the card but not all of the features. Someone in here had a link to some patched drivers that restored the function under XP but now that I have Vista64 I'm sort of screwed again.

Many of the cards listed on EB state they are OEM pulls but they don't say what kind of system they were pulled from. I've emailed questions but the replies have been slow so I thought I would step it up a little and ask here.

I know what OEM is but in the case of my OEM specifically from HP many of the features such as setting the room size, switching from music to game mode, etc did not work. Is this still an issue with OEM pulls from the big brand builders?

 

[mpilchfamily]

There are always some driver issues with Creative soundcards. Especially if your trying to use a pre Vista peice of hardware on a Vista system.

 

[Texun]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
There are always some driver issues with Creative soundcards. Especially if your trying to use a pre Vista peice of hardware on a Vista system.

Well I got a little amped up about closing a deal tonight and bought another Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Music, but this one appears to be retail. I won't know for certain until I have it in my hands.

Rather than link the lengthy thread I copy a post from Shaq here:

From Shaq
okay...spent several hours getting it set up today. I am posting the steps in order so you can have it set up much quicker. This is for XP and now for Vista. The ISO links are below. Use for your OS and replace the support.cab file with Reggie's file. Instructions are in Reggie's file link. You use winrar to extract the ISO and Reggie's file, then replace the support.cab and then run setup in the main directory. Everything should then install just like a retail card. Enjoy.

Download the XP ISO here http://files.filefront.com/ISO...5020773;/fileinfo.html

Download Vista ISO here
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t...Sdqz8JKtYCcLyOnj5QnAzw

Download Reggie's modded support.cab here
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c...fi%20install%20mod.zip

Follow the directions with the modded file. You don't have to create a CD to install, but it is a good idea for backup purposes. After you install the software you can now update the drivers at creative's website and/or windows update.

Everything is functional except DTS. You have all the settings available here
http://www.creative.com/produc...gory=669&product=14066

If you only install the drivers from the creative website or windows update you won't have all the adjustable modes and features. But you can update the driver afterwards and retain everything. The option for flexijack has been tested and is working just as it should according to forum posters. I haven't been able to get DTS to work yet even with posted methods on the web. If you get it to work please post and I will update with the links.

Hope this helps people considering this.

-------------------------
GA-EX58-UD3R
Core i7 920 C0 @ 4.0 (190x21)@1.44v
TR Ultima 90
4GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer @1140 7-7-7-20 1.52v
EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 SC SLI@626/1350/2100
WD Raptor 74GBx2 and 150GBx2
X-Fi XtremeMusic
Logitech Z-5300e 5.1
Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W/900W max
Raidmax Aztec
Logitech G15 and MX Revolution
Windows XP and 7

Edited: 10/12/2007 at 08:58 PM by Shaq Text

IIRC this card was an OEM intended for use in HP systems which is why the modded cab file was necessary in order to use the features. The card I bought shows Creative Install CD is included so I am hoping it's retail. If not I'll toss it back on EB and see if I can break even. It was cheap enough to take a chance. I can get drivers for V64 from Creative - I just hop they work.