Creative X-Fi and Windows 7 problems

[jonnyGURU]

So I have this Creative X-Fi that works in anything that's NOT Windows 7. In Windows 7, as long as it's recognized as a default "HD Audio Device" it works. As soon as Windows realizes it's a Creative card, it installs drivers, reboots and there's no sound.

WTF? This has to be a known issue.

[Elledan]

Which drivers does it install? The official drivers? Latest?

[jonnyGURU]

Official drivers. Any Creative drivers.

For example: It does a Windows Update or something, reboots and the sound stops workling. Creative Labs auto updater comes up, installs newer drivers and they still don't work.

If I put in my CD, it also goes through the auto update process. Neither the drivers on the CD or what's downloaded from the website work.

If I download drivers directly from the link on their website, the sound doesn't work. Then the auto updater runs, doesn't find newer drivers, and exits.

If I go into device managers and "roll back" the driver to "Microsoft HD Audio Device", the sound magically starts working without even rebooting the PC.

In XP, Vista, etc. this card has worked flawlessly. Install ANY driver, let the auto updater run, reboot.... no issues. Weird.

[deimos3428]

The "fix" at the bottom of the page seems a bit dubious, but I thought I'd mention it all the same. Looks like using Vista-compatibility mode is the better solution.

http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/2927-creative-x-fi-no-sound-after-restart.html

[jonnyGURU]

Yeah. I saw that last night when I Googled my problem. Not sure how just running a setup wizard in Vista mode is going to fix the issue. It still installs the same drivers. Just the installer gets run in Vista compatibility.

[Zero82z]

WTF? This has to be a known issue.
It is a known issue. It's commonly known as "Creative drivers", and the best solution is to sell the card to some hapless fool and buy an ASUS Xonar or Auzentech card instead ;).

[Baron]

I had similar problems with my Creative XFi 5.1 external USB card.

Doing a fresh install W7 32 or 64 was a big hassle. I did get sound, but the remote and control panel would not work.........W7 said it couldn't find them.

After using the original install disc (a couple of times) it eventually became fully functional.
Too much hassle with all the other stuff to install without messing around for an hour or so trying to get drivers to work.

Vista....no problem.

I have quit using W7 for my main OS because of niggles like that, and I can't use any 'AA' in BF2 + some mods for it as the ground won't display.
'AA' on - no ground.
'AA' off - ground visible again.

I don't get all the hype over W7 when it causes me so much grief...............all my hardware is about 18mths old, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[jonnyGURU]

Gah! I guess it's not a Creative driver problem after all.

Using the default Microsoft HD Audio driver: My PC suspended. When I logged back in, sound was gone although Windows thought it was functioning properly (showed audio activity, etc.). Rebooted and sound came back.

So apparently this is a pretty serious Windows 7 bug. I don't want to reinstall Vista! :(

[jonnyGURU]

Computer's acting all funky now... Going back to Vista. :(

[kidsafe]

I just uninstalled my X-Fi due to a similar, but maybe a different issue. At some point, my Win7 install decided that I shouldn't be able to switch default playback/recording devices. That was fine until I decided to change my output from the S/PDIF port back to the 1/8" stereo/headphone port. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing the Creative drivers were responsible. I learned the following: Creative's uninstaller is terrible, and an "upgrade install" from my Win7 DVD did fix it.

Right now I'm using a NuForce μDAC (USB) as a sound card and couldn't be happier. Highly recommended if you don't need surround sound or EAX support.

[jonnyGURU]

Yeah. I had the same problem and that's why I'm giving up. When I try to access playback devices, it hangs for a long time. It's just majorly fubarred. I'm backing up my personal data and when that's done, the Vista DVD is already in the drive. Windows 7 Ultimate will be just one more item I'll sell on eBay. :D

[HOOfan_1]

Yeah I remember there were so many problems with creative products when Vista came out...

I thought Windows 7 was supposed to be so much better...

[jonnyGURU]

Believe it or not, it did the same thing in Vista. But at least in Vista, I could "roll back" to the Microsoft HD Audio device driver and it stayed put. So I'm leaving everything well enough alone.

[MrWicked1968]

apparently, Creative started using office temps and cafeteria workers to write drivers for Vista and Win 7.

[jonnyGURU]

Well.. it's working. Not as full featured as it should be, but it's working. I'd yank the card and use the on board audio in a heart beat if it weren't for the fact that this case doesn't have front audio jacks so I actually use the X-Fi drive bay for my headphones. :(