Hi! I just got a "new" computer and I need to replace the sound card. It currently has a Creative SB PCI 128 (Ensoniq ES1371) Sound Card. It does not work. Upon doing some research, I found that this card has problems. I would like to get some suggestions for a different card that I can use in my machine. My machine:

ATX w/Intel Pentium IIIE 866 (6.5 x 133)
Intel Lockport D820LP (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 RIMM, Audio)
INtel Camino i820 Chipset
256 MB memory
AMI Bios

The PCI slots are made to receive a 3.25" long tab on the Card and the tab is offset approximately 1.5" from the back of the machine.

I am looking for a decent sound card to replace the Ensoniq card: one that is not too expensive but not super cheap either. It also needs to be DirectX 9.0 compatible.

Thank you for any suggestions you can give me, as my daughter is very anzious to get the sound going on this machine.

What's the issue with the existing card?

Are you trying to install vxd drivers over the wdm drivers or vicky verka?

Uninstall the older ones before installing the newer one. uninstall from the add/remove programs menu.

Creative's ES1371 drivers on Creative's web site will not work.

Look at your sound card for a code in the format ES#### or CT#### and once you have identified the model or chipset number, you can download drivers here:
http://dmzweb3.europe.creative.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=40,E=0000000000028313454,K=62,Sxi=0,Kb=ww_engl ish,VARSET=ws:http://us.creative.com,Case=obj(2997),Kb=ww_english


Here are some model number examples:
Creative Ensoniq AudioPCI (CT4810, CT4811, CT4812, CT4815 and CT4816)
Vibra 128 (CT4810, CT4811, CT4812, CT4815 & CT4816)
SB PCI 64 with the 1370 or 1371 chipset *
SB PCI 128 (CT4700) with the 1370 or 1371 chipset *

======================

Another option is to download this to ID your card:
http://www.lavalys.com/products/down...ng=en&pageid=3

You may find you have a card that although claiming to be a creative card (or at least a SoundBlaster) isn't actually made by Creative.

BTW What OS have you got?

Hippy Warlock:

Thank you for responding to my post. I used Everest and verified that my sound card is a SB PCI 128 (ES 1371). I tried downloading the drivers you suggested: nothing! My device manager says that the device is working properly with no conflicts. However, there is no sound at all, with none of the programs. I have run through the troubleshooter programs (both main system troubleshooter and the audio device troubleshooter) and both find no problem. I have checked to make sure that the PCI slot is working: it is. I have tried every new driver I could find on the web: those at Creative, those at the site you suggested, those at Driver Guide---all with no luck. All I can figure is that the problem exists with the card itself. That is why I am trying to find what's best to replace it with.

The PCI slots on the MB are made to receive a 3.25" long tab on the Card and the tab is offset approximately 1.5" from the back of the machine.

I am looking for a decent sound card to replace the Ensoniq card: one that is not too expensive but not super cheap either. It also needs to be DirectX 9.0 compatible. My machine specs are:

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP
OS Service Pack -
Internet Explorer 6.0.2600.0000 (IE 6.0 - Windows XP)
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
CPU Type Intel Pentium IIIE, 866 MHz (6.5 x 33)
Motherboard Name Intel Lockport D820LP (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 RIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Camino i820
System Memory 256 MB
BIOS Type AMI (07/31/00)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
Communication Port Brother MFC-8500 USB
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS (32 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce2 GTS
Monitor NEC MultiSync E750 [17" CRT] (8Z56780AA)
Audio Adapter Creative SB PCI128 (Ensoniq ES1371) Sound Card
C: (FAT32) 38152 MB (29799 MB free)
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2
Mouse Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
Network Adapter Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC Network Adapter WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface (172.154.58.28)
Modem Brother MFC-8500 USB
Modem Lucent Win Modem
Printer Brother MFC-8500 USB
Printer Brother PC-FAX
Printer Fax
USB1 Controller Intel 82801AA I/O Controller Hub - USB Controller
USB Device Brother MFC-8500 USB
USB Device Brother MFC-8500 USB
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Printing Support

Again, thanks for your help. I really appreciate it!

I presume that you've already tested your speakers on another PC (or another set of speakers on your PC) to verify that it's not those that are at fault?

My choice for a new card would be a Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit. It's not their cheapest and it's not the really expensive one. At £23.99 plus delivery and VAT for a top-quality card with a 2-year warranty and 7.1 surround sound support, etc., it's absolutely brilliant!

http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpr...t_id=BWOA03X49