5.1 Sound issues (Rear speakers only)

[Rio]

5.1 Sound issues [ISSUE SOLVED]

Hey guys,

I recently reformatted my computer, and after a lot of issues (dead HDD and RAM) i finally got it working again.
Today i went to start putting my drivers and stuff back on for things and when i got to sound i ran the program as normal and setup everything.
The windows sound scheme is set to 5.1 surround.
The program that comes with the s/c allows me to select 5.1 and press apply, but when i press apply it doesnt actually work.

Whenever i play music, all im getting is my rear 2 speakers. Not even the nobs on my subwoofer (rear speaker control) will allow me to turn them down.
All cables are in the correct ports so i know this is not an issue.

Any ideas?

Card is a C-Media one i think. It doesn't have like specific brand though, i think the chip is cmedia and the card is AudioExcel.

Need any other info, let me know

Cheers,
Rio

 

[kimsland]

Hi Rio :wave: (apologies for the wait)

Have you checked the Cmedia program settings (hopefully installed in your start menu group)

Also are you positive that you have installed the correct driver for your Windows version? (directly from the manufactures support page)

 

[Rio]

I have installed the software and drivers from the CD i received with the card.
This software etc has worked every other time in the past although now, it appears that there have been some changes in the software, and i don't know where they have come from.
I used to see what ports on my computer to plug the speakers into, have the choice of Xear 3D sound and one or two other things that are not available now.

The settings for the program dont want to stick though, i can open it, and set 5.1 then close the program and re-open it to find no speaker settings are even set.
I also have noticed that the task will run, but the program icon will not be in the tray.

Its hard to find the correct drive though as they only manufacture the chips and not the cards so i am unsure what it is. Will check out their page again, but it was very unhelpful last time

Cheers,
Rio

EDIT:
Went to their website and through device manager found the chip model..
Will download now and edit with the results.

 

[kimsland]

Make sure to fully un-install your old software in Add/Remove programs first.
You may want to remove the sound card from Device Manager too (view show hidden devices as well)

This tool can view your installed hardware:
http://members.datafast.net.au/dft0802/downloads/pcivbs.vbs
Not sure if it gives part number.

Actually you might have the correct driver now, I see

 

[Rio]

Yeh,
I have removed drivers...
Just about to run install as brother distracted me.
2 minutes.

 

[kimsland]

I'll wait I suppose !

 

[Rio]

Grr..
I removed drivers, ran the setup but this is a different version and it start asking me all this crap. I followed it to the best of my knowledge and now i wont even let me choose 5.1 in the software, it only allows me to choose headphones, 2 or 4 speakers.

Any ideas?

Also, the installer didnt even put all the software etc into my program files or in start menu so im thinking the setup doesnt work very well. =/

 

[Rio]

Ok so, i changed my cables because i have been given 2 different instructions (one from the box and one from software) and now i have changed plugs around and so it works out now im ONLY getting sound from my front 2 speakers, nothing else.
Center, rears and woofer are missing.

 

[kimsland]

It must come from the manufacture support page.

Did the vbs file above help?

Also I think you need to re-confirm any numbers printed on the card and exactly the download for it.
Mind you it has worked before from the CD drivers. You may be able to check inside any ini file inside the CD (unless it's one of those setup files, that don't display anything else).

Anyway driver. I'll leave it with you for a few hours of searching around!

 

[Rio]

I know i am downloading the right driver, its just for some reason its not the same software etc im used to using.
I know that through the software i used to be able to control each speakers individual volume but now i can put them all down and it doesnt work, so i think that the driver isn't actually like applying. Or something. =/

The mixer is having problems starting. Its been automatically set to start on windows start up but the process will run with no icons or visibility until i end task and restart the program manually.

Its gotta have something to do with the computer think i only have 2 speakers but i dont know where to apply it as 5.1.

 

[kimsland]

Start-->Run --> services.msc and confirm nothing is disabled that shouldn't be.

Or run sfc /scannow (from Start -->Run)
Which will check (takes an hour) all Windows drivers are intact

Or go to safe mode and fully remove the drivers (Actually I'd start up the computer without th card too) You just need to clear out all the stuff that's been done.

 

[Rio]

Thankyou very much for your help.
I solved the problem simply by downloading the update via Windows Update.
And the cables were the right way round but the computer config wasn't and that was why i was only getting rear sound.

Cheers for your time.
Rio

 

[kimsland]

Oh the driver update? or MS security update

Anyway, it's solved

 

[Rio]

The driver update.
It might actually help a few people on these forums on these many a threads about surround sound.

They just need to go to Windows update (Tools -> Windows update in IE) and select custom.
Install all the updates that dont get installed automatically.
These are in the Optional and Software sections.

Later,
Rio

 

[kimsland]

I prefer directly from manufacture, but actually I agree MS updates may help as a suggestion. Done !