Help: Soundcard self-installation

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Kompete

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Can anyone give me a sense of how difficult it would be for a non-technical person (like me) to self-install a soundcard. (is it just plug-and-play?)

I currently have onboard sound with my machine (Intel 965 Lamont MB, Core2 duo 2.4, Thermaltake 500W Case, 2GBDDR, 7900GT, etc ), but have trouble with my VOIP and think the problem lies with the on board sound.

So, question is: should I buy and attempt a self-install (given that I'm no technical expert) or take machine back to supplier (PCIinternational) and have them buy and install a card?

Also, what is a reasonable soundcard for above machine spec (mostly used for gaming <R1500)?

Thx
 
nice machine for a "non-technical person" ;)
why do you think it's your onboard sound that causes problems? How's the sound in games? Playing MP3s / videos?

You can get a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic card for less than R1500. The next step up on the Creative X-Fi chain is the X-Fi Platinum, but that'd be close to R2K.
 
masticore said:
nice machine for a "non-technical person" ;)
why do you think it's your onboard sound that causes problems? How's the sound in games? Playing MP3s / videos?

You can get a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic card for less than R1500. The next step up on the Creative X-Fi chain is the X-Fi Platinum, but that'd be close to R2K.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Creative X-Fi would fit in nicely with that system - and that is a very nice system!

Installation would involve:
- Opening up your computer case
- Removing one backplate
- Placing card in PCI slot (the slot shaped like its connector - easy)
- Attaching the card to the case with either a single screw or clip
- Closing the computer case
- Installing the relevant software and drivers off the CD provided (you may need to do this before you put the card in)

Basically, this is an easy process and you should manage fine!
 
masticore said:
nice machine for a "non-technical person" ;)
Click to expand...
yeah, got the machine 'spec-ked' on this forum :D , but someone forgot to tell me to get a soundcard :p

masticore said:
why do you think it's your onboard sound that causes problems? How's the sound in games? Playing MP3s / videos?
Click to expand...

I cannot talk to other players in BF2142 (but can hear everyone else talk), I also cannot talk on MSN, but can see and hear everyone;
Otherwise there's nothing wrong with the sound in games, mp3's, videos, etc, and outside the game the recorder works fine;
So someone in the gaming forum suggested the issue may be with the onboard sound.

masticore said:
You can get a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic card for less than R1500. The next step up on the Creative X-Fi chain is the X-Fi Platinum, but that'd be close to R2K.
Click to expand...

OK, but is it just a matter of opening the case and sliding the card into a free slot or is it more complicated than that?
 
Flippit said:
Ditto. Creative X-Fi would fit in nicely with that system - and that is a very nice system!

Installation would involve:
- Opening up your computer case
- Removing one backplate
- Placing card in PCI slot (the slot shaped like its connector - easy)
- Attaching the card to the case with either a single screw or clip
- Closing the computer case
- Installing the relevant software and drivers off the CD provided (you may need to do this before you put the card in)

Basically, this is an easy process and you should manage fine!
Click to expand...

aagghh...thanks. As long as I dont have to make any other hardware changes. Will look into this. cheers :)
 
I'll doubt there is something wrong with the soundcard.

Try the following:

1) Double click on the "speaker icon" in the tasktray and make sure nothing is muted or disabled.

2) Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Sounds & Multimedia. Under the Audio tab try changing the "preferred recording device". And then also try the option Recording Device -> Volume.

I'm 99% sure it is a software configuration problem, and not hardware related. What microphone/headset are you using?
 
um, stupid questions maybe, but:

1. are you sure your mic is on? Some mics / headsets have an on/off switch. I've been caught by this bugger a few times :o
2. check the mic volume (I'm assuming you use Windoze XP) in the Windows volume control (the speaker icon in your system tray). If you don't see a Microphone slider, goto Options -> Properties and turn it on.
3. check the microphone is selected in the Window$ volume control

Have you tried a different mic/headset?

Have you tried your mic/headset on another machine?
 
open your box slide card in screw card in close box reboot

bang it blows up then you know youve installed it wrong
 
Franna said:
I'll doubt there is something wrong with the soundcard.

Try the following:

1) Double click on the "speaker icon" in the tasktray and make sure nothing is muted or disabled.

2) Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Sounds & Multimedia. Under the Audio tab try changing the "preferred recording device". And then also try the option Recording Device -> Volume.

I'm 99% sure it is a software configuration problem, and not hardware related. What microphone/headset are you using?
Click to expand...

Already tried all of above, but no success. Am using a Plantronics gaming Mic/Headset. If it is a software config problem, then it must be something else
 
masticore said:
um, stupid questions maybe, but:

1. are you sure your mic is on? Some mics / headsets have an on/off switch. I've been caught by this bugger a few times :o
2. check the mic volume (I'm assuming you use Windoze XP) in the Windows volume control (the speaker icon in your system tray). If you don't see a Microphone slider, goto Options -> Properties and turn it on.
3. check the microphone is selected in the Window$ volume control

Have you tried a different mic/headset?

Have you tried your mic/headset on another machine?
Click to expand...

basically have tried all of above...even different mic's on different pc's
 
Ja, its not too hard to install any PCI/slot based card really.

Do you have hands, not disabled, and can generally use a screw driver? Your pretty much perfect then, just push it into the slot (only one way it can fit) and screw a screw into the top to make sure it stays there.
 
Last edited:
Plug & Pray

Kompete said:
aagghh...thanks. As long as I dont have to make any other hardware changes. Will look into this. cheers :)
Click to expand...

Plug & Play baby, Plug & Play, or shoud I say plug and pray!!!!

Thank G;)d that we now longer need to change jumpers...:eek: They've actually come a long way on Hardware since way back when....
 
Ekhaatvensters said:
Ja, its not too hard to install any PCI/slot based card really really.

Do you have hands, not disabled, and can generally use a screw driver? Your pretty much perfect then, just push it into the slot (only one way it can fit) and screw screw into the top to make sure it stays there.
Click to expand...

kewl then! i think I have the min requirements...must just double check insurance on machine, before stuff goes poof
 
If you say that you're having problems with VoIP, I'm guessing that it's definitely not your soundcard but could very well be the latency of your connection. What connection do you have and what pings to google do you get? Is the problem delays/breaking up of the sound or do you not hear anything at all?
 
Well ja, actually I don't really think its a problem with your onboard sound either. If it works for most things the nit is probably just your VOIP and recording/mic set up.

But a new sound card is a pretty good idea anyway, looks like you have the cash, and it might just sort out your problems.
 
Try different drivers, I have onboard sound, and also had the same problem.

Drivers fixed it!
 
Highflyer_GP said:
If you say that you're having problems with VoIP, I'm guessing that it's definitely not your soundcard but could very well be the latency of your connection. What connection do you have and what pings to google do you get? Is the problem delays/breaking up of the sound or do you not hear anything at all?
Click to expand...

Have a 384K unshaped, WebAfrica account (dont think its latency), but I think you and others may be correct...the problem is probably not my onboard sound...since my VOIP (on MSN and Skype) worked last night(seemed the probem was with the other person), but I still cannot talk on BF2142

Toilet_Duck said:
Try different drivers, I have onboard sound, and also had the same problem.

Drivers fixed it!
Click to expand...

I've not tried this yet. How do I know which drivers to get?
 
Kompete said:
I've not tried this yet. How do I know which drivers to get?
Click to expand...

Find out the exact model of your motherboard (look at packaging, manual, invoice, etc) eg. 965__
Go here, then select Desktop Boards, Intel Desktop Boards 965 Chipset, then your specific board. Select your OS (XP). Find a driver marked Audio, download and install. This will get you the most recent drivers for your onboard sound.
 
Ok, so almost one year later I finally summoned the courage to self-install my new Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeAudio as per your suggestions

However I made 2 mistakes: :o
1) I bought the card from Incredible Connection (.../duck)

Yes I paid way too much and found that the card does not really improve my in-game sound although it did improve my in-game VOIP. Incredible bastards also did not tell me there's a better card available for a few dollars more from other vendors...the "Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro"

2) I already ordered the replacement card from Sybaritic without doing a little research first

So here goes. Has anyone had any experience with the extremegamer sound card? and does it really improve/enhance your gaming experience?
 
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