HP Pavilion 9723 User Manual

Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card User's Guide

Safety Instructions
Introduction
Setup
Using the Sound Card
Software
Troubleshooting
Specifications
Internal Connectors
Regulatory

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 1998-2000 Creative Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

Trademarks used in this text: Sound Blaster and Blaster are registered trademarks, and the Sound Blaster Live! logo, the Sound Blaster PCI logo, EMU10K1, E-mu Environmental
Modeling, Environmental Audio, Creative Multi Speaker Surround, and DynaRAM are trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. E-Mu and
SoundFont are registered trademarks of E-mu Systems, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Creative Technology Ltd. disclaims any
proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

This product is covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents:

4,506,579; 4,699,038; 4,987,600; 5,013,105; 5,072,645; 5,111,727; 5,144,676; 5,170,369; 5,248,845; 5,298,671; 5,303,309; 5,317,104; 5,342,990; 5,430,244; 5,524,074; 5,698,803;
5,698,807; 5,748,747; 5,763,800; 5,790,837.

Version 1.00
July 2000

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Using the Sound Card: Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card User's Guide

Using Sound Blaster Live! Value
Running MS-DOS games in Microsoft Windows
Selecting the Best Audio Options in a Game
Understanding the Installation Program in Windows 98 Second Edition
Understanding the System Resource Settings
Understanding the Environment Variables
Determining Resources
MS-DOS Mode Utilities
Changing Audio Card Settings
Creative Diagnostics

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Understanding the Environment Variables: Sound
Blaster Live! Value Sound Card User's Guide

Overview • CTSYN Environment Variable • BLASTER Environment Variable

Overview

Environment variables are used to pass hardware configuration information to the software in
your system. For MS-DOS, your audio card includes the following:

CTSYN Environment Variable

●

BLASTER Environment Variable●

CTSYN Environment Variable

The CTSYN environment variable points to the location of the CTSYN.INI file, which usually
resides in the Windows directory. The syntax for this variable is as follows:

CTSYN=path

where path is the location of the CTSYN.INI file.

BLASTER Environment Variable

The BLASTER environment variable specifies the base I/O address, IRQ line, and DMA
channels of the SB interface. Its syntax is:

BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6

The parameters in the command are as follows.

This
Parameter Specifies

Axxx SB interface’s base I/O address.
Ix IRQ line used by the audio interface.
Dx First DMA channel used by the audio interface.
Hx Second DMA channel used by the audio interface.
Pxxx MPU-401 UART interface’s base I/O address.

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Tx Card type. x must be 6.

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Regulatory: Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card User's Guide

Safety Information • Notice for the USA • Notice for Canada • Compliance • Declaration of
Conformity

Safety Information

CAUTION: This device is intended to be installed by the user in a CSA/TUV/UL certified/listed

IBM AT or compatible personal computers in the manufacturer’s defined operator access area.
Check the equipment operating/installation manual and/or with the equipment manufacturer to
verify/confirm if your equipment is suitable for user-installed application cards.

ATTENTION: Ce carte est destiné à être installé par l’utilisateur, dans un ordinateur compatible
certifié CSA/TUV/UL ou listé IBM AT, à l’intérieur de la zone définie par le fabricant. Consulter
le mode d’emploi ou le fabricant de l’appareil pour vérifier ou confirmer si l’utilisateur peut y
installer lui-même des cartes périphériques.

Notice for the USA

FCC Part 15: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B

digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, this notice is not a guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

●

Increase the distance between the equipment and receiver.●
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is

connected.

●

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician.●

CAUTION: To comply with the limits for the Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules, this device must be installed in computer equipment certified to comply with the
Class B limits.

All cables used to connect the computer and peripherals must be shielded and grounded.

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Operation with non-certified computers or non-shielded cables may result in interference to
radio or television reception.

Modifications

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the grantee of this device could void
the user’s authority to operate the device.

Notice for Canada

This apparatus complies with the Class "B" limits for radio interference as specified in the
Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations.

Cet appareil est conforme aux normes de CLASSE "B" d’interference radio tel que spe’cifie’ par
le Ministère Canadien des Communications dans les règlements d’interfe’rence radio.

Compliance

This product conforms to the following Council Directive:

Directive 89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC (EMC)

●

Declaration of Conformity

According to the FCC96 208 and ET95-19

Name:

Creative Labs Inc.

Address:

901 McCarthy Boulevard
Milpitas, CA. 95035
United States
Tel: [phone]

declares under its sole responsibility that the product

Trade Name:

Creative Labs

Model Number:

CT4830

has been tested according to the FCC / CISPR22/85 requirement for Class B devices and
found compliant with the following standards:

EMI/EMC: ANSI C63.4 1992, FCC Part 15 Subpart B
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

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This device may not cause harmful interference, and1.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause

undesirable operation.

2.

Ce matériel est conforme à la section 15 des régles FCC.
Son Fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes:

Le matériel ne peut étre source D’interférences et1.
Doit accepter toutes les interférences reques, Y compris celles pouvant provoquer un

fonctionnement indésirable.

2.

Compliance Manager
Creative Labs, Inc.
June 9, 1999

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MS-DOS Mode Utilities: Sound Blaster Live! Value
Sound Card User's Guide

Overview • SBECFG.EXE • SBEMIXER.EXE • SBESET.EXE • SBEGO.EXE

Overview

The SB Live! Value card includes a few MS-DOS utilities. These utilities require the SB Live!
DOS driver SBEINIT.COM to be loaded.

SBECFG.EXE

Use the SBECFG.EXE utility to obtain the hardware settings and the status of the SB Live!
Value card.Typing SBECFG.EXE at the command prompt displays the following hardware
settings:

PCI Hardware Settings: Port, IRQ

●

Sound Blaster Emulation: Port, IRQ, DMA●
MPU-401 Emulation (GM, Roland MT-32/LAPC-1) Emulation: Port●
Adlib Emulation: Port●

The emulation settings appear only if they are enabled.

SBEMIXER.EXE

Use SBEMIXER.EXE to change the volume levels of the MPU-401 instrument set used on the
SB Live! card. You can use SBEMIXER.EXE from the command line—useful for advanced
users who want to set up batch files with particular volume levels—or within the SBEMIXER
screen. The settings for SBEMIXER.EXE are independent of the Creative Mixer settings in
Windows 98 Second Edition.

To set SBEMIXER values in the command line:
At the DOS prompt, type the SBEMIXER command in a single line. Its syntax is:
SBEMIXER [/S:x] [/W:x] [/C:x] [/M:x] [/?]
where square brackets [ ] denote optional parameters, and:

This
Parameter Specifies

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/S:x Synth volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.
/W:x Wave volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.
/C:x CD audio volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.
/M:x Synth MT-32/LAPC-1 mode. For x, 0 is Off, 1 is On.
/? View a short description of the parameters.

An example of an SBEMIXER command is
SBEMIXER /S:64 /W:120 /C:50 /M:0
which corresponds to "set the synth volume to 64, the Wave volume to 120, the CD audio

volume to 50, and turn off the Synth MT-32/LAPC-1 mode".
To set SBEMIXER values within the Mixer screen:
At the DOS prompt, type

SBEMIXER

The interactive editor mode allows you to change the mixer settings with the mouse, <Tab>,
<PgUp>, <PgDn>, or arrow keys.

Use the Save button to save the settings for the next session.

SBESET.EXE

Use SBESET.EXE to manually configure SB resources or disable SB Emulation. By default, SB
Emulation in DOS follows the Windows settings. For example, if you disable SB Emulation in
Windows, in the next boot to DOS SB Emulation in DOS disabled. Under rare circumstances
you may need to manually reconfigure DOS SB Emulation, for example, if there is conflict in
DOS before it can boot to Windows. SBESET.EXE is run from the command line.

To set SBESET values in the command line:
At the DOS prompt, type the SBESET command in a single line. Its syntax is:
SBESET [-Axxx] [-Ix] [-Dx] [-Hx] [-Pxxx] [-dx] [-wx]
where square brackets [ ] denote optional parameters, and:

This
Parameter Specifies

-Axxx SB interface’s base I/O address.

-Ix IRQ line used by the audio interface.

-Dx First DMA channel used by the audio interface.

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-Hx Second DMA channel used by the audio interface.

-Pxxx MPU-401 UART interface’s base I/O address.

-dx SB Emulation mode. For x, 1 is Off, 0 is On.

-wx Set x to 1 to use the Windows-assigned resource configuration.
Set x to 0 to use (your) user-assigned resource configuration

NOTE: See "Understanding the System Resource Settings" for a list of the possible
values.

An example of an SBESET command is

SBESET -A240 -I5 -D3 -w0

which corresponds to "set the SB interface’s base I/O address to 240, the IRQ line used by the
audio interface to 5, the First DMA channel used by the audio interface to 3, and use the
Windows-assigned resource configuration".

SBEGO.EXE

Use this to confirm whether SB16 Emulation is properly installed and working.

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Safety Instructions: Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card User's Guide

WARNING: Use of controls, adjustments, or procedures other than those
specified in this documentation may result in exposure to shock, electrical
hazards, and/or mechanical hazards.

Read and understand all instructions before using the sound card.

●

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not immerse the sound card in water or any other
liquid.

●

Never disassemble the sound card. This action could result in electrical shock.●
Service or repair work should be done by a qualified service person. Incorrect reassembly

can cause electric shock.

●

To keep from damaging your sound card, avoid exposing it to moisture and extreme
temperatures.

●

Do not attempt to disassemble, short circuit, or subject the sound card to high
temperatures or fire.

●

Use of an accessory attachment not provided or recommended by Creative Technology
Ltd. may cause fire, electric shock, or injury.

●

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Introduction: Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card User's Guide

Overview • Features and Benefits • System Requirements • Getting More Information

Overview

With the Sound Blaster Live!— the most powerful sound card ever—taking the industry by
storm, Creative now introduces Sound Blaster Live! Value for the mainstream market. The
casual PC entertainment enthusiasts and even the non-gaming music lovers can now enjoy the
wonders of Sound Blaster Live!’s Environmental Audio. Sound Blaster Live! Value offers the
same quality and performance of the highly successful Sound Blaster Live!—without the
extended Digital I/O card—with features and performances surpassing professional audio
equipment. Sound Blaster Live! Value incorporates the superior surround-sound rendering of

Environmental Audio

™

to create sound so real it has to be Live! You'll enjoy music productions

so dynamic like you're right in the middle of an orchestra. The Sound Blaster Live! Value
hardware-accelerated Environmental Audio Extensions

™

(EAX™), supporting new titles, offers
an experience that goes beyond 3D Audio. Add the ability to enhance all your existing games
and legacy audio with true digital processing and it will blow your home theater away!

Features and Benefits

The Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card has the following features and benefits:

Hollywood-Quality Audio Re-creation

With professional-quality synthesizers and digital I/O, Sound Blaster Live! Value provides
audio fidelity that rivals movie theaters with digital sound. Excellent overall audio fidelity is
achieved with an average Noise Floor of -120 dB, a level unheard of in the PC industry.

●

Powerful Audio Processing Engine

The EMU10K1

™

audio processor is the most powerful integrated music, audio and effects
engine available. Every signal is processed at 32-bit, 192 dB, 48 kHz using 8-point
interpolation to smoothen the sound, instantly improving any audio source. Apply
real-time effects including Reverb, Chorus, Flanger, Echo, and Pitch Shifter, that rival
stand-alone expensive professional effects processors.

●

Environmental Audio™ Enhances Existing Contents

Experience depth and realism beyond existing 3D audio. Apply preset environments such
as hall, cave or underwater that can be applied to your existing games and applications
for incredibly true sound. Game environmental settings also make your existing games
come "alive" instantaneously.

●

Multiple Speaker Output●

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Produce surround-sound audio on your PC with built-in support for two or four analog
speakers.

512-Voice Music Synthesis

512-voice capability goes beyond the quality and performance available in most
professional music equipment. Using host memory, you can choose from E-mu's 2 MB, 4

MB, or 8 MB SoundFont

®

professional-quality sample banks for music reproduction. Or
use up to 32 MB of memory for amazing SoundFont music fidelity. All these without
sacrificing on CPU utilization.

●

Sound Blaster PCI Standard

You can be assured of near-perfect Sound Blaster compatibility on the PCI bus while
enjoying all its benefits. It works with the existing MS-DOS

®

-based and Windows®-based

titles, completely replacing your existing ISA sound card.

●

Environmental Audio Extensions™ (EAX™)/Broad Driver Support

Environment Audio Extensions is an open standard that allows the broadest support from
software developers. Supports Microsoft DirectSound

®

, DirectSound3D, and derivative
technologies. Advanced architecture is ready for the coming generations of WDM, DLS,
and IEEE 1394/Firewire devices.

●

Sound Blaster Live! Web site - www.sblive.com

Exciting new applications and developer support will be available on the Sound Blaster
Live! Web site. For instant access to the latest applications, enhancements, drivers, and
more, visit www.sblive.com.

●

System Requirements

For Creative software, your card requires at least:

Pentium

®

class 133 MHz or equivalent processor●

Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennim Edition, Windows NT 4.0 or Windows
2000

●

32 MB RAM for Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennim Edition, Windows NT

4.0,
64 MB RAM for Windows 2000

●

115 MB of free hard disk space●
One free PCI bus slot●
Powered speakers or external amplifier●
CD-ROM drive required for software installation●

Sound Blaster Live! Value gives you an estimate of the hard disk space required when you
select it on the installation screen. Some applications may require a system configuration
greater than that listed above. Refer to online documentation (README or HLP files) or
specifications on the outer box for details.

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Getting More Information

See the online User’s Guide for MIDI specifications and connector pin assignments, as well as
instructions on using the various applications in your audio package. To access the online

User's Guide, click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Creative, point to Sound Blaster
Live! Value and select User's Guide.

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Setup: Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card User's Guide

Installing the Card and Related Peripherals
Positioning Your Speakers
Connecting Creative PC-DVD
Installing Software

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Installing Software: Sound Blaster Live! Value
Sound Card User's Guide

Installing the Software in Windows 98 Second Edition/Windows Millennium Edition
Installing the Software in Windows NT 4.0
Installing the Software in Windows 2000

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Using Sound Card Software: Sound Blaster Live! Value Sound Card User's Guide

SB Live! Experience
Creative Launcher
Creative AudioHQ
Creative WaveStudio
Creative Recorder
Creative PlayCenter

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Creative AudioHQ: Sound Blaster Live! Value
Sound Card User's Guide

Overview • SoundFont Control • Creative Keyboard • Creative Mixer • Speaker Control •
Environmental Audio Control

Overview

AudioHQ can be accessed from Creative Launcher or by opening the Programs menu from the
Windows taskbar-click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Creative, point to Sound
Blaster Live! Value, and then click AudioHQ. AudioHQ uses the familiar Windows group to
display the icon for each utility.

Figure 1. AudioHQ control panel.

The AudioHQ interface has the standard look and feel of the Windows Control Panel. It
contains several control utilities that allow you to view, audition, or set up the audio properties
of one or more audio devices on your computer.

SoundFont Control

Creative SoundFont Control allows you to configure MIDI banks with SoundFont files and
instruments, as well as set the caching algorithm and space.

Configure a MIDI Bank

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Figure 2. Soundfont Control dialog box where you configure MIDI banks.

To configure a MIDI bank:

In SoundFont Control, click the Configure Bank tab.1.
In the Select Bank list, select the MIDI bank to configure.2.
Click the Load button and load the SoundFont file you want to the MIDI bank. The latest

file loaded always appears at the top of the Bank Stack box. The top of the stack is
indicated by an arrow.

3.

To replace a SoundFont file, click the file and then click the Replace button.
OR
Double-click the file, and select the replacement.

4.

To clear a bank from the stack, select the bank and then click the Clear button. A
variation bank can only be cleared by clearing its main bank.

5.

Repeat Steps 3, 4 or 5 as required.6.

By stacking a SoundFont file instead of replacing one with the other, you may return to the
original sounds or use the new selection.

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You can "spot" hide particular instruments by loading one or more SoundFont files on top of the
original.

When you clear a SoundFont file, you remove the latest configuration of the main bank and any
variation banks, including the latest configuration of instruments on the Configure Instrument
tabbed page.

Configure an Instrument
Figure 3. Soundfont Control dialog box where you configure instruments.

To configure an instrument:

In the SoundFont dialog box, click the Configure Instrument tab1.
In the Select Bank list, select the bank whose instruments you want to configure. You can

select any bank.

2.

In the Select Instrument list, select the instrument to configure.
In the Instrument Stack, you may see an instrument entry although you did not load an
instrument on this page. The instrument can be found in a bank loaded on the Configure
Bank tabbed page.

3.

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Click the Load button and load a SoundFont or single-instrument (for example, .WAV) file.
The last file loaded always appears at the top of the Instrument Stack with an arrow
pointing to it.

4.

To clear an instrument from the stack, select the instrument and then click the Clear
button.

5.

For faster processing of SoundFont files, the files are loaded into memory. You need to
set the maximum amount of cache memory your SoundFont files can occupy, so that
your system performance does not suffer from insufficient memory.

6.

NOTE: Setting the maximum amount of cache memory for SoundFont files does not
mean setting aside or reserving the space. The space can still be used by your
computer or other files if needed.

SoundFont Caching
Figure 4. Soundfont Control dialog box where you configure other soundfont settings.

To specify the caching algorithm:

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