Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtrememusic... Again :(

Any help or should I start looking for the 32-Bit version?

When you check the properties of it in Device Manager and on the Driver tab, what does it show for the driver version?

6.0.1.1375

Date 05.03.2010

That at least is the correct driver version from the ISO.

Without doing a fresh Windows install let's see if we can get the sound card back to at least how it was before anything for it was installed,

1. Open Programs and Features and uninstall anything you find relating to Creative or Sound Blaster. Do not reboot after yet.

2. Download and install this,

Take Ownership Shortcut

3. Go to C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository and locate any folders that look like this (the numbers and letters at the end will be different on any on yours, but the rest will be the same),

wdma_emu.inf_amd64_neutral_c6a1c845acd1f9a7

you may have more than one depending on how many different driver packages you tried.

4. This is where the bit in step 2 comes in. Once you find all the folders like above right click on each and use the new Takeownership shortcut that is there, then delete all of those folders. This will stop Windows from re-installing the driver for the card.

5. Assuming you burned the driver disk to a CD (or if mounted in a virtual drive), navigate to,

SBXFI_INSTALL_CD.ISO\Audio\Drivers\support\amd64

and run ctzapxx.exe found there. from the small window that pops up select Driver uninstallation, and put a check next to "delete all shared...", then click OK. This should remove any leftover driver bits from the uninstall through Programs and Features.

6. Now reboot, and if all went as planned Windows won't try and install a driver for it and it should now show up in Device Manager as an "unknown multimedia device/controller".

7. Now you have two options for installing the driver for the card,

A. Run the driver disk and doing a custom install and only installing the parts you want or need (the driver and any of the apps).

B. Try and install just the driver manually through Device Manager,

Driver Install - Device Manager

when you get to step 5 point it to the SBXFI_INSTALL_CD.ISO\Audio\Drivers\wdm folder, reboot if required. Then check that the driver installed and that you have sound (card set as default in Windows playback settings). If the driver installed and you now have sound now run the driver disk again, and again doing a custom install only this time uncheck the driver and only install the apps you want/need.

Personally I would go with B as there is less installing at once until the sound is working . If it helps any I had to do it that way with mine as not even the driver would install using the setup on a clean Windows install.

No sound.

My card seems to be a special design to drive it's owner insane.

I do a lot of support on the Dell users forum. The first question, when you upgraded to Win 7, did you do a complete new install? On new installs the biggest thing overlooked is the motherboard chipset drivers. If the chipset drivers are not installed the sound cannot be installed or will not work. You didn't list the Dell model number (such as XPS410, Dimension 9100, Inspiron 580, etc) so I can't directly comment on what is required for your model. On an install the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) On applicable models, install Dell Desktop or Laptop System Software (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install device drivers such as video, sound, ethernet, etc.

Finally, SOME of the Xfi models are not supported by Dell and/or Creative and as reported on the Dell forum some users have given up on the Xfi, uninstalled it and went back to the Integrated Audio on the motherboard. However, the Dell Integrated Audio also must have Dell drivers to work or work correctly. SOME Dell's are not supported for Win 7, however if there are Vista drivers they will usually work.

Respond back with the PC model number so we can provide specific help. I'm just guessing or talking generalites with this post.

Dell Dimension 9150

Dell ONLY supports XP and Vista 32 bit on this model. In the Vista 32 bit drivers list they only have the SigmaTel (Integrated - on the motherboard) audio driver.

You are in "uncharted territory" with Win 7 64 bit on this PC. If everything else works OK, I would say disable the Xfi in the Device Manager then restart the PC and enter the BIOS (F2 - Setup) and enable the on-board audio (my be labeled Legacy Audio in the BIOS) then download and install the Dell SigmaTel driver (DO NOT use a generic driver that Windows may install as usually that does not work). You may have to first install the Intel motherboard chipset drivers before installing the SigmaTel drivers. If you get audio, go with the Integrated audio or buy a new Xfi card that is Windows compatible. The only issue with that is that you will lose the front panel headphone and mic jack capability due to Dell's proprietary (and undocumented) front panel connections.

Link to Dell 9150/Vista 32 bit driver downloads.

Ok, I'll try the onboad audio. Is the quality any worse?

Not really. The Xfi's have some added features but the basic audio is generally the same. I have a newer Xfi in my home built PC. I disabled it as it was interferring with my recording studio software (Sonar) and went back to the SigmaTel for all other PC audio (other than Recording) and I couldn't really hear a difference.

I have an older Dell Dimension E510 (about the same vintage as your 9150) and the SigmaTel in it sounds about the same as the SoundBlaster Audigy SE I have installed in it. If it wasn't for the better MIDI synths that are on the SoundBlaster sound card I would be using the SigmaTel with the E510.