Creative Sound Blaster PCI128 User Manual

Sound Blaster PCI128

User Guide

On-line Version

Contents v

Contents

Introduction ......................................................................................... ix

System Requirements .................................................................................................................................ix

Latest Information.......................................................................................................................................ix

Document Conventions ...............................................................................................................................x

1 Installing Your Audio Card....................................................................1

What You Need............................................................................................................................................1

Installing the Audio Card.............................................................................................................................2

Installing the Creative Software ..................................................................................................................5

Windows 95.....................................................................................................................................5

Windows 98.....................................................................................................................................9

Windows NT....................................................................................................................................9

Testing the Installation...............................................................................................................................10

Creative Mixer ...........................................................................................................................................11

Real-Time Effects..............................................................................................................11

Recording...........................................................................................................................11

Microphone........................................................................................................................11

Options...............................................................................................................................12

2 Advanced Configurations..................................................................13

Resolving Hardware Conflicts ..................................................................................................................13

Uninstalling the Software ..........................................................................................................................14

Connecting a Joystick................................................................................................................................15

Connecting a MIDI Device .......................................................................................................................15

Contents vi

3 Troubleshooting ..................................................................................17

No sound is heard from audio (music) CDs.................................................................................17

Joystick port is not working ..........................................................................................................17

Determining your Windows version.............................................................................................18

Computer hangs or restarts during installation.............................................................................18

Audio card is not automatically detected .....................................................................................19

CD does not automatically run when you insert it in the drive...................................................21

No sound is heard from speakers..................................................................................................22

Static sounds are heard in wave files ............................................................................................22

Introduction ix

Introduction

Sound Blaster PCI128 uses the latest music synthesis technology to play many notes simultaneously,
creating a new dimension for musical and multimedia applications. Creative’s Sound Blaster PCI128 is
upgradeable with user-selectable banks for loading wave-table samples (digital instrument and sound
samples).

After installing the Creative audio software, refer to the on-line User’s Guide, located in the audio card
group, and on-line Help for detailed information about the Creative Mixer and other utilities.

System
Requirements

For the best results from your audio card, you need:

• IBM-compatible PC with an Intel® Pentium or AMD-K5™ Series processor rated at 133 MHz

• 16MB RAM (Random Access Memory)

• 6MB of storage space on your hard disk

• Windows® 95, Windows® 98, or Windows NT 4.0

• SVGA display card that supports 640x480 resolution and a minimum of 256 colors

•CD-ROM drive

• PCI 2.1 compliant expansion slot for the audio card

• Headphones or amplified speakers

Latest Information

The README file on the Sound Blaster PCI128 installation CD contains information and changes not
available at the time of printing. Read the file before you begin.

The colored insert in this manual
gives you the latest information
about your audio card, and contact
information for Creative Labs.

Introduction x

Document
Conventions

The following typographical conventions are used throughout this document:

Bold Bold face type identifies words and phrases that are to be entered exactly as shown. For

example:

SET SOUND=C:\SB16

Italic Italic type identifies words and phrases that are to be replaced by you. For example:

DEVICE=C:\SBCD\DRV\SBIDE.SYS /D:MSCD001 /P:xxx,yy

In the example, you must supply a value for xxx,yy.
Italic in the text emphasizes or identifies a word or phrase that is being defined. In this
document, it is also used to identify a button or menu item that you are to select: for
example, “Select the Play button on the main menu.”

ALL CAPS A word in all capital letters identifies a key you are to press. For example, “Select Yes

and press ENTER.”
The notepad icon indicates information that is of particular importance and should be

considered before continuing.

Designates a caution or warning that can help you avoid situations involving risk.

Installing Your Audio Card 1

1

Installing Your Audio Card

What You Need

Most of the items you need for installation are included. The following illustration shows the basic
components necessary for a complete installation.

CD Audio Cable

Phillips Screwdriver
(not included)

Audio Card

Creative
Audio
Software

Installing your audio card requires
you to perform the following steps:

• Install the audio card

• Install the Creative audio
software

• Test the installation.

Refer to the colored insert for
specific information about the
audio card.

Installing Your Audio Card 2

Installing the
Audio Card

To install the audio card:

1. Turn off your computer, and
disconnect the power cable.

2. Disconnect the monitor and other
devices that are connected to the
computer.

3. Remove the computer cover.

4. Locate a PCI slot to
accommodate the audio card.

5. Remove the slot cover from your
computer—save the screw to
secure the audio card.

1

2

3

4

5

PCI Slot

Before you remove the computer
cover, touch a grounded metal
surface to discharge static
electricity.

Remove or disable any existing
audio card and its driver from your
computer. Refer to the
manufacturer’s documentation for
details.

Installing Your Audio Card 3

6. Align the gold-striped tabs on the
bottom of the audio card with the
PCI slot, and firmly press the
card into place until it fits snugly.

7. Use the screw from the slot cover
to secure the audio card to the
frame of the computer—securing
the card assures proper
grounding.

8. Connect the CD audio cable from
your CD-ROM drive to the audio
card CD_IN connector.

6

8

7

CD_IN
Connector

Installing Your Audio Card 4

9. Connect your speakers, headphones, microphone, joystick, MIDI devices, or other devices to the
back panel of the audio card.

10. Replace the computer cover.

11. Reconnect the power cable, monitor, and other devices.

Joystick

Microphone

Stereo, CD player,
tape deck, etc.

Powered speakers
(rear) or amplifier

Powered speakers (front),
headphones, or amplifier

MIDI device

You may connect passive
speakers to the Sound Blaster
PCI128 but you must first enable
the amplifier on the audio card.
See the colored insert for details.

Installing Your Audio Card 5

Installing the
Creative Software

The Sound Blaster PCI128 Software CD contains drivers necessary for operation and utilities to make
the most of the audio card. The software installation varies according to your computer’s operating
system:

• Windows 95

• Windows 98

• Windows NT

Windows 95 When you turn on your computer, Windows 95 automatically detects the new hardware, and prompts

you for the software installation disk. The installation may vary from the instructions below based upon
previously installed software and hardware.

To install in Windows 95:

1. Turn on your computer for
Windows 95 to automatically
detect your new hardware. The
New Hardware Found dialog
appears.

2. Select the Driver from disk

provided by hardware
manufacturer option, and click

OK. The Install From Disk
dialog appears.

3. Insert the Sound Blaster PCI128
Software CD in your CD-ROM
drive. Enter the path for your
CD-ROM drive and the software
on the disk. For example, use the
Browse button to locate, or type,
the following: D:\AUDIO\ENGLISH\WIN95DRV (D:\ represents your CD-ROM drive). Click
OK to install the Windows 95 drivers.

4. When prompted, install the gameport/joystick drivers from the installation CD. For example, use
the Browse button to locate, or type, the following: D:\DIRECTX\DIRECTX\DRIVERS\USA.
Click OK to install the gameport/joystick drivers.

1

2

3

This manual reflects a software
installation in an unmodified
version of the operating system.
Your installation screens and
procedure may vary slightly from
what is shown and described. The
variations may be caused by other
software/hardware installed on
your computer, or the version of
the Windows 95 operating system.

If the Sound Blaster software
installation screen appears, click
on Exit. You must install the audio
card drivers before insalling the
applications.