Correctly Installing PCI Soundcards
(c) 2003 Terratec Electronic GmbH, M.Dreese
First...
This document is designed for users who want to check their knowledge
of PCI card installation routines and possibly even learn something new
along the way :-)
This document will follow a step-by-step installation for a soundcard. This
is of course applicable for TV cards or other PCI hardware as well.
Please be aware, TerraTec cannot be held responsible for possible
damage that may result from using this information.
Before the Installation
Even if you already have itchy fingers to get cracking on your new
audio composition, it pays to remain calm and keep your wits about
you. The few minutes before installing the new card will determine the
success of the installation and quite possibly affect the quality of the
newly installed product.
Because soundcards are particularly sensitive to improper
configurations, we recommend you take the following steps:
Open the package and check the contents
In particular, the PCI card itself should be checked for
mechanical integrity. It is also recommended to check the
contents list from the manual to make sure all the components
are present.
Driver CD version/age verification – driver update
Unlike the common handbook allergy many suffer from, an
allergy against old driver CDs can generally be viewed as positive
:-) This „condition“ leads one to always demand the newest
driver/software versions and update CDs.
This is not strictly necessary, but it is generally recommend to use
the newest drivers and software available for your devices. These
are best downloaded directly from our website under
www.terratec.com and installed according to the following
instructions.
Uninstalling old soundcards
This is particularly important for onboard soundcards, which are
commonly integrated directly on newer mainboards. It is likely
because the quality and functionality of these chips is often less
than desirable that you are holding a new PCI soundcard in your
hand at this very moment :-).
Best is to uninstall the old soundcard drivers and then remove the
old card before you even open the anti-static bag on the new
card.
Should you have questions about the proper method of
achieving this goal please co ntact your mainboard or soundcard
manufacturer, who should be very familiar with every last detail of
their components.
Due to the fact that modern mainboards come in many flavors
and revisions, it is impossible for TerraTec to provide you with
adequate information regarding proper deactivation of
integrated devices. Consult your mainboard manual or contact
the manufacturer for specific information.
RTFM (read the f… manual :-)
Commonly decreed in a somewhat louder tone, this desperate
pleading to pay attention to the documentation should not be
ignored. Sometimes a brief glance at the handbook can provide
insight into unresolved issues.
Step One: Preparing the Driver
Many manufacturers, us included, tend to view their hardware as
lovable new additions to the PC family - and like a newborn they
require an adequately prepared nest to develop properly. The simplest
manner of fulfilling these obligations is to install or prepare the driver
before actually installing the soundcard.
Start message from
update.exe with version info.
Main window with target menu for decompressing
files. Action confirmed with „Unzip“
Unzip confirmation with
the number of
successfully unpacked
files.
We are assuming here that you have downloaded the newest driver
from our website. This is generally „update.exe“ or two *.exe files with
two essential components :
Driver
(Short DRV)
The driver is the most important part of the
installation process. Without the driver nothing is
possible. The card cannot be integrated into the
system, will not function, and cannot be used in
conjunction with any software.