Creative Drivers Causing Me To Reduce Maximum Memory

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
       #1

    Creative Drivers Causing Me To Reduce Maximum Memory


    I'm pretty mad about this situation. After hearing all the good things about Windows 7's speed and performance increases over Vista, I said, hey let's try it. Everything seemed to be working well, until I decided to install the drivers for my Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum device. These drivers were working well on Vista; no visible problems. Though, as soon as I installed them in Windows 7, I received crackling and popping noises instead of actual sound or music. So, whenever my computer would want to emit a sound, it would be a very loud pop or crack, or, sometimes, nothing at all. Bottom line: the speakers were pretty much unusable. I could sometimes get the drivers to work without this occurrence, though, as soon as I would restart my computer the problem would come back. I worked at this for days, trying to find different drivers, uninstalling, reinstalling. I even re-installed the whole OS. Nothing worked.

    In a desperate move, I tried something I didn't think would actually work. I went into msconfig and turned on Maximum Memory, something I really did not want to do. After re-booting the sound worked. But this seems like an extreme solution from something pretty simple. After turning this option on, I now only have 3GB of memory. I paid for 4, my computer should use all of it. Obviously, I'm angry that Creative (or something else) is preventing me from taking advantage of my PC's performance. Really, is this the only option I have to fix my sound problem? Or is this it? I'm astounded that the sound driver would even affect my computer's memory usage.

    It might seem as if I'm overreacting, but I really shouldn't be using 45% plus memory (idle) after implementing this fix. Just a few hours ago, I went to see the difference between max memory on and max memory off, and, with it off, I was using about 25 - 35% while the system was idle.

    Core PC Specs (i.e. not all is here)

    Intel Core 2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz
    4.00 GB DDR2 RAM
    nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX
    WDC 500GB HD @ 7200 RPM
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,573
       #2

    whitingrj said:
    ...Everything seemed to be working well, until I decided to install the drivers for my Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum device. These drivers were working well on Vista; no visible problems. Though, as soon as I installed them in Windows 7, I received crackling and popping noises instead of actual sound or music. .... I worked at this for days, trying to find different drivers, uninstalling, reinstalling. I even re-installed the whole OS. Nothing worked.

    ...I really shouldn't be using 45% plus memory (idle) after implementing this fix. Just a few hours ago, I went to see the difference between max memory on and max memory off, and, with it off, I was using about 25 - 35% while the system was idle...
    I have also experienced an issue with this card. I installed the Win7 drivers provided by Creative and the issue resolved itself.

    The remainder of your post is different. What you are observing in the task manager is Windows 7 memory management. What it appears to be on first glance is not what it really is. Memory management has been totally re-worked.

    Let's address the sound card/driver issue first. Then, we will address the memory (which I am confident is not actually a problem).

    Did you acquire the correct driver from here: http://support.creative.com/kb/showa...aspx?sid=61105
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the quick response! Yes, I have downloaded the X-Fi Xtreme Music (Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series driver 2.18.0013) driver from Creative's support site several times. I even tried Daniel_K's driver, which had been frequently recommended around the web.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,573
       #4

    OK. Let's go to step 1. Reseat the card in its PCI slot.

    My card has the audio breakout box. If you have it, also reseat the cable, both ends, and the power connector. While doing so, examine the lines for any visible damage.

    And, because you never know, try a different set of speakers.

    Adviso: On one particular 7 build, I had to install the drivers twice. Don't remember which build. Either 7264 or 7229. Simple fix though. It was the only time that I had a problem, but other users report similar problems.

    Step 2. Re-install the drivers. (I know, just do it).

    Test and report.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    OK. I tried everything you said, but nothing worked. I had already tried reseating the card in previous attempts to fix the problem, even moving it further from the video card.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 238
    Windows 8.1 Enterprise
       #6

    maybe try modified drivers?

    i have audigy 2 and the card works perfect with modified drivers not creative originals.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Update: I swapped out the graphics card for an ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT to see if it was the graphics card causing the problem. No change whatsoever...
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Maybe I was wrong on that. Everything seems to be ok with the audio for now. The ATI drivers installed a High Definition Audio Device which Creative didn't like. I uninstalled AND disabled that and sound seems to be good for the time being. I'll update if things go wrong.

    EDIT: Never mind. As soon as I restarted everything went wrong... I even replaced the sound card and same deal. Back to square one. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do here now. I've tried pretty much everything.
    Last edited by whitingrj; 19 Aug 2009 at 11:35.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1
    Window 7 Professional 64bit
       #9

    I have the same problem, beside what u suggest to reduce memory, u can try to reduce the sample rate to 16 bit, and bit depth to 44100HZ, which is the lowest sound quailty... it will readuce the cracking noise... I have email creative n still waiting for their reply...
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #10

    Fantasykiller said:
    I have the same problem, beside what u suggest to reduce memory, u can try to reduce the sample rate to 16 bit, and bit depth to 44100HZ, which is the lowest sound quailty... it will readuce the cracking noise... I have email creative n still waiting for their reply...
    any news about your email?
      My Computer


 
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