Creative X-Fi MB 2 for your G73 (Realtek HD 2.62)

I am creating this thread as an update to the thread that was created by TheMarkness instructing users on how to update their G73 to provide Creative x-fi support via the use of a modded 2.48 driver and license activator.

I have found a modded 2.62 Realtek driver that supports the Creative x-Fi MB2 software, using the same license activator process.

I also have provided the most up to date Creative X-fi MB2 software that I was able to find since there are multiple versions floating around.

The package can be downloaded from the following link:
2shared - download RealtekCreativeXFIMB2.rar

Mirror

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MHFLBZE9

*** UPDATED REALTEK 2.65 Modded Driver that provides SRS/Sonic Focus/Dolby/DTS support via Realtek Driver for all soundcards ***
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F6JOC3OH


This package includes 3 compressed archives, the Activator, the Creative x-Fi MB2 software, and the modded Realtek 2.62 drivers.

I have tested this working 100% on my G73JH after a fresh install of Windows, so I know it works.

Installation instructions are as follows:

Remove any existing Creative software installed. You can run crapcleaner or driversweeper, but I don't know that it's necessary.

Remove your existing Realtek drivers.

Install the modded Realtek 2.62 driver package

Install the Creative X-fi MB2 package

Reboot to safe mode.

Extract the Activator archive.

Run the Run.bat as administrator

Check c:\programdata\Creative\Softwarelock, you should see 11 .kga files

If all looks to be there, reboot to Windows.

Once Windows starts, Launch the Creative Console Launcher from the Creative tray icon.

If all is working properly, you should be able to manage your sound settings and not receive a "no supported devices message".

The installation instructions .doc included within this archive was created for an older copy of the X-fi MB2 software. I updated the archive with the newest installer I was able to find and confirmed everything works. Because of this, the install document may reference some file names that are slightly different.

I just wanted to give back to the community, and I know that many people (myself included) followed the old 2.48 modded driver x-fi MB thread to get Creative software working with our G73s. This gives a much more up to date modded driver and the latest Creative MB2 software I was able to find in my searching.

You MAY be able to update your Realtek driver to the latest version after everything's working perfectly, but I chose to stay with the 2.62 modded driver. If you do update after getting things working without issue, please update this post to share that info. I am fairly confident it will work fine, but I have not tested it.

See images (note THX TruStudio App works on G73JH, but Realtek chipset does not support THX):

 

just a question - I already had this (and other versions) installed, and it just sounds like crap - the only thing worth having is Crystalizer (isn't it named Clarity in the SB control panel?), and it's IMO equal to the original THX TruStudio software found on G73 (and IMO also sounds better). All the other effects just sound cool but degrade the sound more than they enhance it (and don't even try headphones or your brain will melt).

My 2 cents... just keep the original THX TruStudio and don't bother...

 

Hey, I actually don't use any of the processing crap outside of what's enabled by default when I install the X-FI MB2 software. I generally use my Logitech Wireless 930 7.1 surround headphones that I don't think use any of the X-FI processing stuff anyway, but the X-FI software makes my speaker audio on the laptop sound much better than just the Realtek drivers.

It's really a matter of taste, but I offered this thread as a way for people to get the latest X-FI MB2 software installed. I'm running a G73JH, and the Creative software that came with it was garbage. A modded X-FI MB software came out which helped many people (myself included) improve the audio quality on their G73s, and also fixed issues with the base Creative software that came with the G73JH.

This is just a post/guide to getting even the oldest of G73s running the latest and greatest Creative software. I do feel that the Creative X-FI software provides an improvement to audio quality and controls to the Realtek drivers alone, and figured I'd put this out there to help whoever wants it.

Actually, after re-reading your post, it's obvious you are running a more recent version of the G73... The Realtek chipsets have changed since the original G73JH release. The newer G73s support THX whereas the JH does not. It's quite possible depending on which Realtek chipset you have, the options the Creative software shows will be very different. This guide is based on my experience getting things working on a G73JH which does not have as advanced of a Realtek chip. I agree though, some of the audio modification options really don't make significant changes, but I don't think the base Realtek drivers provide Subwoofer controls, and that's something you need the Creative software for.

 

Hi, i have the G73JW laptop which has the Realtek alc269 codec. I installed the creative x-fi MB2 mod ok and have the 11 .kga files installed. All software runs.. the creative console, sound blaster panel and the THX Trustudio Pro software, but the THX app doesn't affect any system sound when i modify any of it's settings.

I noticed that under THX/audio device selection pull down menu, it says 'There is no supported audio device available'.

Does the THX Trustudio Pro not support the alc269 ? Or is it that the activation .BAT isn't creating the needed THX .kga files in the SoftwareLock directory? Or something else?

As well as the original eleven .kga files created, I think it needs to write one or all of these additional .kga files for THX to work:

CTLT99HB0X.kga
CTLT53HURX.kga
CTLT11HL3X.kga
CTLT72HL2X.kga
CTLT46HL1X.kga


Any ideas?

 

I would say I don't think the Realtek alc269 codec has support for the THX Trustudio audio... I agree, I believe those .kga files you mention are required for the THX to work, but I was of the impression from what I read that the activator builds the .kga files based on what the hardware chipset supports.

I know the G73JH does not support the THX trustudio because of the same issue/error.

GÇø¸£Àû£¬¿ªÆô X-Fi MB 2µÄÉù¿¨Çý¶¯£¨ÒÑÐøÆÚ£¡£©(ÒòijЩÔÒòÍ£Ö¹¸üÐÂ)-»ªË¶GϵÁÐÓÎÏ·±¾ÂÛ̳-±¾ÓÑ»á - This site is in Chinese, but when translated mentions the CLTL99HB0X.kga file which is dependent on the hardware from what I can see. The activator process supposedly generates the kga files based on the hardware, so my understanding is that the THX file will only be created if the hardware supports it.

I'll actually do a bit more searching into this, but my understanding is that it's entirely tied to the chipset and whether or not THX support is provided.

After a bit more searching, it appears that THX support is dependent on the system BIOS/Realtek chipset used. I've seen reports of some people getting THX Trustudio working with the installer/activator, but I don't have it personally. The main thing I was trying to accomplish was to get the latest Creative software working with a recent Realtek driver, and that seems to have worked.

 

+1 for your hard work!

 

Yes, that makes sense.. that the activator only creates the THX required .kga files if it finds the supported hardware on the pc. Here's the thing though.. my G73JW model actually came with a 'lite' version of THX Trustudio... not the Pro version. It basically has the crystalizer and a output slider for 2.1 internal speakers, 2.1 external speaker and headphones.. that's it. Of course it only worked with the original realtek drivers that came with the laptop and won't work with the modded realtek driver.

So that's where I'm at.. if this 'lite' version of THX truStudio will install on Realtek alc269 codec, how can i get the thx truStudio Pro to recognize the supported chip and install. plus, in the Bios, there is no setting for audio.

.. trying to figure out how to make it work.

if u want to play around with the THX 'lite' version, do a search for 'Asus G73Jw Notebook Creative THX Driver 1.00' and grab the driver. maybe it will install on the G73JH??

 

i've got to try this
too bad i can't use it with my usb headphones
or is it some workaround ?

 

With regard to getting the Trustudio Pro to work on the G73JW, maybe it's as simple as getting everything working with the "Lite" version. There may be some process that's part of the install that creates that .kga file that the license activator isn't creating. I unfortunately don't have a JW, so I can't really confirm the process.

I'll do some searching to see if anyone has been able to come up with a consistent process to get the THX components working properly. It has been an issue for many of the people who I've seen discussing the install.

I'll update this thread if I find some worthwhile info.

From what I was able to dig up from some Chinese forum posts, the THX Trustudio supports the following chipsets:
ALC885/888/889A/890

I'm going to assume the LITE version is different in some way, but the TruStudio looks at the hdw_ids and specifically these:
FUNC_01 & VEN_10EC & DEV_0269 & SUBSYS_14581100.cfg
FUNC_01 & VEN_10EC & DEV_0269 & SUBSYS_14581405.cfg

http://bbs.mydrivers.com/thread-305132-2-1.html is the thread where I found that info... As mentioned though, if there's a THX driver/installer process that generates that license file, maybe the pro software could be made to work.

 

can you upload the x-fi package somewhere else? tried downloading few times and on different browsers but always got stuck @ 99%.

 

Will do. I'll setup a mirror.

 

thanks, i'm downloading. btw i've already installed that realtek 2.65 driver, so i can just install this x-fi over that and boot into safe mode to activate?

 

Yes, you should be able to just install the Creative package then boot to safe mode and run the activator. As I mentioned, the activator should create copy multiple .kga files to the ProgramData\Creative\SoftwareLock folder, and those should allow the Creative software to properly support your Realtek hardware.

After running the activator, reboot, and then launch the Creative Console. You may have to specify the device, but it should work fine.

 

hmm. you sure that that .rar is ok? because i've downloaded it from that mirror and it give error while unpacking. again, tried several times downloading.

 

I actually just downloaded the file from the mirror link and it opened/extracted fine... The only potential issue I could see you having is that the activator is seen as a virus by some AV products. I had to actually pull it out of my quarantine to extract it. The key-generator is the only item that comes up that way, and it's harmless from personal experience (it's the same file as in the 2.48 modded driver/X-fi MB package).

If your AV is blocking the download or archive, that's the only thing I can think of... The actual archive/install seems to be fine here, and as I mentioned I downloaded the entire file from the mirror link without issue.

 

thank you, good job!

 

This X-Fi package seems to be outdated. The newest one does not require modded drivers.

 

Which package is that? I'm interested.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...rivers-everything-you-need-fresh-install.html under Audio

 

nice job. +1 rep

 

Yeah that's fine for you cool jw and sw users, but the jh doesn't come with X-Fi.
It comes with outdated, crappy, arguably broken audigy package.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...ion-getting-creative-mb-upgrade-g73jh-13.html

 

Neither do the jw and sw. The one I linked to (and am using) is the same X-Fi MB2, just updated, and fixed to work without modded drivers.

 

Oh ok, silly me. Guess I was argueing based on outdated info. I just remember following several discussions about the Creative software back when JH users were having alot of trouble. But that was a year ago.
BTW, great job on that fresh install thread.

 

Hi all,

Thanks OP for posting this ... I'm following the other big thread as well. Anyway - I've been able to install the modded Realtek drivers, but when installing the XFi pack, I only get one file after running the activator "run.bat".

After I reboot, I don't get the XFi MB as a device option in the Creative panel - it only shows my Realtek and then I get the "device unsupported" error.

The actual reason I am trying to do this (install the Cretaive pack, etc.) is to enable Dolby Digital Live processing on my G73SW-3de. From the research I've done, it appears that it's hardware-possible, but that it's not available due to software. Will installing the Creative pack allow for the installation/use of Dolby Digital Live in games?



Thanks much,


LK

 

Any chance for some new links for this stuff that weren't located on MegaUpload?

 

I'm testing the latest version, will update soon.

 

i have just installed Creative X-Fi + realtek 2.67 from gamespirit
it has a lot of option and improvements only if you install the realtek driver , not to mention the X-FI

check the realtek panel

 

Can you help me out and post that link? I was trying to download it yesterday but it seemed like I was on a Spanish speaking website and they wanted me to register.

 

yes it is on spanish and you can understand the instructions probably with google translate
i have downloaded the program elsewere let me search it for ya

here you go mate
X-Fi MB 2012 [Gamespirit].7z
Realtek HD v2.67 [MOD Gamespirit][Win7 x64].7z

if you have any problems let me know

 

Thanks so much!

 

Do you guys recommend the use of the above combination instead of the original and latest Realtek drivers and the Creative software that came with JH?

 

Does this SRS Truebass stuff work on our G73JH with the built in subwoover? Will it switch the low frequencies to the subwoover?

 

yes it works but i use the bass setting from creative
and it works better at higher frequencies

 

For Thx TruStudio, i real a lot of times that uninstalling TruStudio is necessary, whereas my G53JW's sound is clearly crystalized when ThxTrustudio is active. Plus, changing to External Speakers from Built-in speakers doesn't make big difference due to crap speakers in a RoG notebook.

If you turn off ThxTrustudio using TruStudio settings manager the sound gets fuzzy and your attempts in Realtek HD Audio manager doesn't make it as much as clear before including changing equalizer and environment settings. I admit, sometimes TruStudio crashes while you're playing with it but if i turn it off the sound becomes too fuzzy to hear. So is it a must-have application in my RoG notebook?

Without TruStudio enabled, the sound comes TERRIBLE from built-in speakers!

Thanks a lot!

 

the mod realtek driver won't install on j73jh... it seems to work properly until 90%, then tries to install some other (another installshied start) but fail...

error 0xE000024B

[solved:the problem was in the driver signature of win8]

 

I use Gamespirits driver and the related X-Fi software and it seems to be working just fine

 

I get the following errors while installing Gamespirits XFi package.

*sigh* S@*%#est uploads ever. I'll reupload in a bit.

The first 4 occur during the "THX Audio Control Panel" phase and the last occurs during "Creative Vol Panel."

Any ideas?

 

Everything worked and everything installed until I need to execute Creative audio console. I don't see anything by that exact name and anything close that was installed doesn't work. What should I try?

 

I just found out in the device manager I have two HD audio's installed after I deleted the original before trying to update to this software. I am having sound stuttering issues and I can't figure out why.

 

I uploaded a video which shows the advantages of this driver, here is the thread and link to the video -> http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...g7x-models-using-g73-example.html#post8478294

@Outtawack311: I suggest that you uninstall all drivers again and clean the related registry entries, then restart your NB and re-install the drivers.

 

That still didn't work. I am not sure why. Do I need to extract Activation 1.7z to a certain location in safe mode?

 

Ah you talk about the Creative software, well its important that you activate it while Windows is in safe mode and execute the activator as administrator. You followed the tutorial on [GUIA] Realtek HD 2.67 Mod Win7 x64 [Gamespirit][Update 13/01/2012] ?

 

I followed the guide and the software finally worked once I installed a newer version of the drivers that I found outside the original guide. The only thing that doesn't work is the SRS option. It says I need to uninstall creative suite to use it.

My major issue is still prevalent. I originally started to update everything because I have an odd, slight echo/stutter. It is especially noticeable in SC2 and Youtube videos. It is still there even after getting everything updated. Other then that I do like the new sound so far.


EDIT - For some reason the issue just went away today. I have no idea why.

EDIT 2 - Its back again. I don't know what it can be.

EDIT 3 - It might be possible that my new fan in the living room is distorting some of the sounds that are coming from my laptop.....I just tested it and when the fan was off the sound seemed fine, but distorted when I turned it back on. This is going to be obnoxious if that is the case, since I see no way to fix it unless someone knows of some helpful settings....

 

I am still having reverb issues. I still can't tell if it is from my new ceiling fan or not. I don't really see how it is possible, and any tests I do are inconclusive, but it's the only explanation of why it can't always be heard.

 

Grounding issue?

 

How would it be a grounding issue and how would I fix it?

 

It's either the Creative THX Trustudio Pro or THX Trustudio PC software that conflicts with SRS Premium Sound audio enhancements (which I think Gamespirit didn't see coming). THX disables/kills SRS bigtime because it can't get along with SRS. Uninstall THX Trustudio Pro or THX Trustudio PC and reboot to get back SRS. But the Creative X-FI MB2 software, on the other hand, will work okay with SRS. Just don't use both at the same time [ and don't upgrade X-FI software to the MB3 version!]

The big disadvantage of using Gamespirit's modded Realtek audio drivers is that they require real horsepower [think Intel i5 quad-core 3.0Ghz or better with at least 4Gb or maybe 6Gb of RAM] and gobbles up precious CPU and RAM resources since all those Dolby/DTS/SRS/Sonic Focus audio enhancements are implemented on them. It's best to just pick one audio enhancement (either SRS, Dolby, DTS or X-FI MB) and stick with it. Enabling two or more audio enhancements from the modded Realtek audio driver could make things unstable, get distorted sound or worse case scenario crash the system into a BSOD error.