Using two soundcards

Astalavista

Having been using Sound Blaster Live Value for 4 years so far, I decided recently that this is not enough. I bought a new soundcard - Audigy 2 ZS. My plan was to use SB Live for TV output and Audigy for games.

I installed both soundcards - no problem here. XP recognized both of them. I installed Creative drivers for Audigy to use 7.1 + EAX4 and KX drivers for SB Live to get a quality sound on my TV. This operation went fine too. I got what I wanted - good sound on both cards.

"Fantastic!!!", I thought. "That's easy!". Unfortunately it was not that easy. An hour later there was no sound from my SB Live. I went to "Computer Management" - no conflicts there. XP claims everything is in a perfect order. I could not believe my eyes and ears.

A thorough investigation revealed the following facts about my new setup:

1) After restarting OS both soundcards work fine. However, if I start intense Internet operations (emule, icq, etc.), SB Live stops working in less than a minute. Sometimes I get high-pitched sound instead of silence, when this happens. I use PCI ADSL modem for Internet (no other PCI cards inside my computer) .

2) If I remove one of the soundcards, then everything works fine.

3) If I remove the ADSL modem or do not use Internet, both soundcards work fine.

4) Re-installing drivers does not help.

5) XP shows no conflicts. There are no messages in the event log.


I am at a loss. I have no idea how to tackle this situation. Has anybody experienced a similar problem? Is it really feasible to get this configuration up and running? I would appreciate your advice on this matter.

videobruce

I don't understand why anyone would want two cards? Are you tring to play games and watch TV at the same time?

Having one is bad enough for problems, especially this SB Live POS! I have one and surely regret getting it. After looking around I'm not along with that feeling. One web site really blasted this card.
It will be the last Creative product I will buy (I also have a PC-Cam 600 web camera that I had problems with also).

NightBreed

More in's and out's for one. Another card for handling more effects .More Midi interfaces, etc...... Multiple sound card setups aren't really done by gammers, there's no logic in doing that for that reason.

If by using a modem is causing you to loose sound in one card, try switching the system bios of your machine to not automaticaly use irq3 to let windows set it. Also try moving the modem to another slot.

dj_stick

some motherboards have pci slots 1 & 5 haveing the same IRQ - you cannot seperate them… this is not good with a sound card - check in ur bios and see which PCI slots (if any) have the same setting ie if the menu is
pci 1/5
pci 2
pci 3
pci 4
then slots 1 and 5 you shouldn't use for a soundcard…

but it may also be EMI from the modem… if you can somehow insulate the modem by foam with one side aluminium foil (making sure that it is not touching any electrical circuit)

ROBSCIX

I would Definately check for an IRQ issue, Newer computers mainly ACPI enabled ones, use IRQ sharing. It may say there is no conflict but if for whatever reason those two devices are trying to "Share" the same IRQ, POW conflict. Windows will not list it as a conflict in the device manager. Goto Accessories>system Information>IRQS>Conflict/sharing.....I think thats where it is, also check to see whats where. SOund cards shoucld always be on there own IRQ's. Yep my money says thats the problem.....seen it many times on other forums.