can't get sound card to work while all PCI slots are filled

[r0l0e]

hi all,

i've been wrestling with my new 8k3a+ for the past 5 hours. for some reason, i just can't install the on board sound driver. i tried to install from the driver on the CD and the drivers from epox.uk site. but to no avail.

the last time i tried to install the sound driver, i corrupted the isapnp.sys file...WTF....i wonder if one of my pci cards are conflicting with the sound device. my pci config is as fallows:

AGP- geforce 2ti

PCI slot:

1- blank
2- NIC
3- SCSI Card
4- Firewire
5- USB 2.0
6- PCI Video card

i've already disabled the LPT and onboard USB 2.

another thing, what's the best config to set the IRQ assignment in the bios? i remember setting the IRQ in the bios for the 8kha+ and everything worked perfectly.

TIA,
r0l0e

[Samuknow]

Prob out of resouorces. Try turning off the com ports in the bios. Along with anything else you may not need. What sound card?

Can you disable SB emulation. My board will not work with SB emulation installed and it uses another interupt...

[r0l0e]

Originally posted by Samuknow
Prob out of resouorces. Try turning off the com ports in the bios. Along with anything else you may not need. What sound card?

Can you disable SB emulation. My board will not work with SB emulation installed and it uses another interupt...

i'm thinking the same. sorry i want so clear with the sound card...I meant the on board sound.

i don't remember seeing SB emulation in the bios. i'll check again dough.

damn i wish epox used usb 2.0 onboard ...

[nfrenay]

The onboard sound is realtek ALC650... (Depends on the verison tough.. There are some that are a different ALC model)...

No C-Media unfortunatelly (so much better !).

[r0l0e]

arrgg!!!, i'm really sorry about that. i was thinking of my Iwill board at the time i was posting this thread.

anyway, i think i got her stable. i'm still testing for stability so i'll post back in a bit.

[r0l0e]

well i kinda of think i fixed my problem (x'ing-fingers and toes). i downloaded two drivers, one from epox (u.s) and installed the sound driver via device manager. then i downloaded the driver from epox (uk) and proceded to install the Sound Manager. as far as i know, i haven't had any problems yet. i have enabled the rest of the stuff like com1, com2 and so far no problems.

EDIT:

oh ya, one more thing... the parellel port shared IRQ 7 with the scsi, sound, and anther device so i kept it disabled. that may have been the solution also.

side note: this board IS more stable than my previouse 1.0 version non-raid. the only thing thats holding me back is proly my enersux 431watt psu and/or crucial pc2100 at 182fsb 2.5-2-2-1T. but anyway, i can't ask for anything more from a pair of $50 memory sticks.

[nfrenay]

Nice to hear that...

Good luck .

Talking about sound.. I really wished to have CMedia 8738 here... This ALC650 is far away from being good. (I listen to MP3s using the ALC650 plugged in my mini-system).

This sound has some "gaps" in lower frequencies and sometimes has too metallic sound.

[r0l0e]

Originally posted by nfrenay
Nice to hear that...

Good luck .

Talking about sound.. I really wished to have CMedia 8738 here... This ALC650 is far away from being good. (I listen to MP3s using the ALC650 plugged in my mini-system).

This sound has some "gaps" in lower frequencies and sometimes has too metallic sound.

doesn't cmedia make pci sound cards? i beleive i saw the 6.1 card here and they weren't expensive at all.

what board version do you have? i have the v1.2 but i haven't listened to any music yet.

[nfrenay]

I don't know if they do make the cards but they surely do the chips...

I had a PCChips motherboard (crappy!) that had a C-Media 8738 audio chip onboard. The sound was so much better than this ALC650 one...

Also I mounted a computer for my father months ago with Soyo Dragon Plus! motherboard and it has the CMedia 8738 also... It's much better than this.

I don't know why manufacturers insist on these AC97 chips.

My EPoX 8k3a+ is 1.2 version.

[Holst]

You can buy a soundblaster 5.1 for £25.
Thats what I use with my 8k3a.

It does give slightly better sound but not much.

[Superman]

I use the ALC201A that comes with version 1.0 and am perfectly happy. Hey, when you have crappy speakers, you can't tell you have crappy sound!

[nfrenay]

Originally posted by Superman53142
Hey, when you have crappy speakers, you can't tell you have crappy sound!

Exactly... .

It all depends on your speakers .

[robbie]

Originally posted by Superman53142
I use the ALC201A that comes with version 1.0 and am perfectly happy. Hey, when you have crappy speakers, you can't tell you have crappy sound!

What CRAPPY SOUND?? I've been sending you music, looks like now I need to cut you off!!!:-D
Rob

[Superman]

Originally posted by robbie


What CRAPPY SOUND?? I've been sending you music, looks like now I need to cut you off!!!:-D
Rob

LOL.  I thought it was pretty good

[r0l0e]

Originally posted by Superman53142
I use the ALC201A that comes with version 1.0 and am perfectly happy. Hey, when you have crappy speakers, you can't tell you have crappy sound!

i'm on the same boat. it sends shivers up my spine to spend on a speaker system that cost as much or more than my motherboard.

[JayJay]

Originally posted by r0l0e


doesn't cmedia make pci sound cards? i beleive i saw the 6.1 card here and they weren't expensive at all.

THey do sell the sound cards here in the Philippines which are available in PC Express. 4 channel CMI8738 costs 350PHP and the 6 channel CMI8738 costs 550PHP

Ive installed the 4 channel in a friend's PC and it works fine

[r0l0e]

for conversion: $1 = 51 philippine pesos.. thanks JayJay

[Áedán]

Originally posted by nfrenay
I don't know why manufacturers insist on these AC97 chips.

Nowt wrong with AC97. It's a pretty nice standard really.

AC97 V2.3 suports. 6 channels, 20bit resolution, 96KHz sample rate, SPDIF I/O, two modem line DACS , modem handset DAC, Line-In, two modem line ADCs, modem handset ADC and an 3rd ADC input.

Ok, so the modem handset channel and modem line 2 output channel might end up being combined to provide the 96KHz SPDIF output.

Yeah, loopbacks are included so outputs can be looped back to inputs too.



AidanII

[r0l0e]

Originally posted by AidanII


Nowt wrong with AC97. It's a pretty nice standard really.

AC97 V2.3 suports. 6 channels, 20bit resolution, 96KHz sample rate, SPDIF I/O, two modem line DACS , modem handset DAC, Line-In, two modem line ADCs, modem handset ADC and an 3rd ADC input.

Ok, so the modem handset channel and modem line 2 output channel might end up being combined to provide the 96KHz SPDIF output.

Yeah, loopbacks are included so outputs can be looped back to inputs too.



AidanII

huh??? now that Aidan just taught me to read French, i think i can make it on my own now.