sound blaster audigy giving errors

Win 7 x64 build 7100
I cleaned the dust from the comp & since then I am getting this error, sound is only working on front 2 speakers. i ensured the card is properly installed, which it is. Last 4 months its been working fine with 4.1 speakers.

Now I cant start the EAX control setting.

I uninstalled the card & drivers & cleaned the registry then reinstalled the drivers from CD.

On installation of the drivers & sound it detects by old speakers as stereo only but all 4 speakers give sound which is too bad, I can now use the EAX control settings
then I run the windows update it download a creative driver which when installed does show me 4.1 speakers but now the EAX control panel wont open & gives error
"the audio device supported by this application is not detected. The application will exit"

any clue what went wrong & how can I get this working?

here is the latest 64-bit driver for your SoundBlaster Audigy Value....

Creative Worldwide Support

After installing this, it will also install an AutoUpdate applet that you can search and update your creative drivers and apps.

I thought EAX support on DirectSound was dropped with Vista (Becasue DX10 didn't include DirectSound)?

Look for the Creative Console Launcher
and also Alchemy, which is a work-around for restoring EAX to DirectSound games.


Alchemy use to be free for X-Fi only,10 bucks for audigy, but after a backlash, they made is free....

You can read more here about the app and decide if you want it:
http://connect.creativelabs.com/alch...digy/Home.aspx

I cant get the bass boost/bass management & EQ to work at all.
When I select EQ & hit the setting button the same window (shown at right) opens up which does not show any equalizer.

How do I get the equalizer?

Another question I don't game at all will I benefit by installing Creative ALchemy 1.25.10 in my mp3 music & watching movies?

The note on creative site says
Do not install this application if you do not play DirectSound3D games in Windows Vista.

Attachment 19381no alchemy only provides EAX for old directsound games.

As far as the EQ (Creative COnsole Lauincher)

I guess it is not supported on Audigys any more, but you could try it:
http://support.creative.com/download...wnloadId=10941

Try to run the autoupdate app if it installed with the driver.

Another way to get the the EQ from the bast driver is
go to control panel>Sound>right click speakers>properties>Tone
You just get the basic treble and bass but its better than the muffled sound of the default sound.