SoundBlaster X-Fi MB Installation

After doing a refresh reinstall on my XPS1645 (and getting the X-Fi MB driver disk from Dell after a phone call), I'm having some issues getting the software to work again.

The installation process appears to go fine, but when I try to open any of the provided Creative programs (Audio Control Panel, etc.), I get the following error message:
The audio device supported by this application is not detected. The application will exit.

I'm going to try reinstalling both Creative and the IDT drivers. Has anyone else run into this?

 

Run the X-Fi MB setup file in Vista compatibility mode and it will work.

 

I'll give that a shot.

 

That did the trick. Thanks!

 

iaTa you are my hero sir. /bow

 

How is the quality compared to the IDT audio drivers? Since both are avaliable for download on the Dell webpage, you guys have any opinions?

 

Both are required to run creative's software, which runs on top of the IDT driver.

 

So is it worth installing the X-Fi? Or just sticking to the IDT?

 

Not really worth it, uses a lot of resources and all it does is install a bunch of sound filters and stuff. There are some software packages that come with it that might be useful, like Creative MediaSource, Jukebox, and editing software. The only other thing you might really want it for is EAX support and Alchemy for games.

 

Well that's odd. All installed fine, but I never had to activate it and use the key on the envelope... Interesting.

 

Any chance you can create an iso and upload it somewhere.. would be appreciated. after 2 hours on the phone tech support couldnt figure out how to send the disk.. thanks

 

Had you tried to install the software before though and entered the key then? If so it will have been stored in the registry - happened to me too.

 

Well technically you can't as it needs a serial number that comes on the back of the envelope. When I tried installing this when I first put Windows 7 on from a fresh install, it made me activate it even though I couldn't get it to work.

Well a month or so later I was told to install it using compatibility mode. So what I did was copied the CD to a folder that I made on the desktop, then right clicked the setup file and clicked use compatibility mode. I set it to Vista SP2. All installed fine and works great now. However, this time I got no activation window either before or after. So it's odd.

That said the guy sent me the X-Fi MB 1.0 CD. Now I'm told that X-Fi MB 1.2 comes installed with all SXPS 16's that come with Windows 7 from the factory. I sadly was not sent the 1.2 CD hence the need to use compatibility mode while installing. And I'm sure the OP got the 1.0 CD as well as he had issues at first.

The good news is there is no difference with the software other than fixing the "no audio device found" error you get if you don't install 1.0 in compatibility mode.

I was lucky enough to get a tech agent to know enough to find the CD to send me - most don't, so keep trying to call, you will get lucky sooner or later. BUT don't expect him to send you the version 1.2. Though you could probably ask for it. Also make sure to look on your invoice. If you got the laptop with Windows 7 it should say "Panzer 1.2" somewhere on it. Since I bought mine in late September, it still had Vista on it and was listed as "Panzer 1.0" on my invoice.

 

Ahh that makes sense. This new CD I got has a different key on it as I lost the original disc. But since it's the same thing and same version it still makes sense that either key would work to activate it. I actually thought about the registry thing and thought to my self that's why it didn't need to be activated.

And iaTa please don't ever leave these forums, you are easily one of the best helpers here and one of the top in the community in my opinion.