Guide: How to install SoundBlaster Audigy 2ZS drivers on Live!/Audigy/Audigy 2

dj_stick

any software written specifically for the 10kX series chips doesn't work on the A-LS, proof that it is not a 10kX variant card. Im pretty sure the chip on it will be different in size to the one on your audigy 2

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Eck

KAMi911,

No, not CTAPP, but CTZAPP.EXE in the driver folder.

And, no, Driver Cleaner is not the same as choosing uninstall in CTZAPP. It removes certain nagging driver, program, and registry files that the regular Creative uninstall routines leave behind. This helps to insure a clean installation. Find it elsewhere on this forum (Driver Heaven Tools).

Anytime I have tried to just uninstall Creative Software and remove the driver, trying to run setup always gave me that "No Creative Audio Hardware Detected" message that you get. Anytime I have installed a driver with CTZAPP.EXE first, the installer has then run without a problem.

Since I have a Live card, and could not get the Audigy 2 ZS aps to run (got the "required hardware not installed, app will now close" message), I use the aps from the Audigy 2 cd (the multilanguage.rar from that other guide here), the Creative ap updates for those Audigy 2 aps I installed, and the Audigy 2 ZS drivers (402, then the 441 and 443 updates).

It's possible that the EQ will not run on an Audigy 1, but the EAX Console and Speaker Calibrator, that should not be installed on the Live since they screw things up, should run on the Audigy 1. Just use the EAX Console or the EAX Control in AudioHQ (your preference) to adjust for equalization (choose Rock, Disco, whatever) and the bass and treble controls.

Try just the ZS 402 drivers installed with CTZAPP.EXE like I told you, then Ctcomp the Audio/Setup folder of not the ZS cd, but the Audigy 2 cd (the one you used before). You'll still get more than us Live card users get (EAX Console, Speaker Calibrator, and MediaSource Player), but won't get the EQ and DTS stuff from the ZS software.

In other words, do what you did before this mess started but instead of using the drivers from the multilanguage.rar Audigy 2 cd, install the ZS drivers (the 402's) with CTZAPP, reboot, run the Audigy 2 install, make sure you uncheck windows drivers, update the aps, reboot, ctcomp the 441's and install them with their setup.exe, reboot, and do the same with the 443's. That should work.

Don't reinstall Windows. Nothing is messed up by this stuff except the Creative software which is easily removed by the procedure I outlined in my previous response to you. ( The one you didn't follow.)

Hope you get it sorted out,

Dennis

KAMI911

Hello!

Thanks for your help, Eck!

I tried to uninstall Creative softwares, drivers then ran Driver Cleaner. I tried to install 402, reboot, but not detected audigy 2. Setup is patched of course. I remove everything again, the tried install old SPA2 drivers 3xx. Then i rebooted, and the dreams come true: The A2ZS drivers started, and installed everything... So I have working A2ZS suite except lot of application. Then I upgraded to 441 and 443 and rebbot. Now everything seems to be fine.

Thank you for your support,
KAMI

Eck

Heh, heh.

Not sure I understand what you did, but if all's well than OKAY!

Enjoy,

Dennis

kontorista

Problems with the 4 disk rar files? rename the first part of them to:

106431634152_a2zs-i.r00
106431634152_a2zs-i.r01
106431634152_a2zs-i.r01

as in the file 106431634152_a2zs-i.rar

f0rbez

or just delete all the numbers from the beginning so that theyre all a2zs-i.r** the forum put those numbers on them anyway.

Deam

Thanks very much for this guide, and the ISO link.

It worked perfectly for me, and I thank you all! I have an audigy1.

However, here is one thing I saw, maybe I missed it in this thread.

I did not install the patch to get the EQ working, I did what was suggested here and just copied the pfmod.dll and it worked.

However, when I installed the DTS update, it would not work. Low and behold, when I checked the pfmod.dll again, it was a newer version, that I guess got installed with the update. However, I just replaced it with the older version and it all works now.

What exactly is PFmod.dll? Does using an older version change anything?

BiGBrOwNPimpsta

i have no idea dude, but its something related to getting the eq working. dts neo screws it up so gotta install it FIRST then patch

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Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music | Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers | 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners | Logitech G700 Mouse | Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

Deam

Ah, then it for sure must be the update .dll file the Neo installs.

Either way, just thought I'd let others know.
Everything working here on Audigy one, and very pleased!

I do notice the actual volume level is lower than it was before at same settings, but this is likely due to increased dynamics of the drivers, as the quality increase is easily noticeable.

blast

Eck,

I had no problem with the Mediasource player installing on my SBLive/Value. Even downloaded the update for it. What model card do you have ?

To get the Surround mixer and Speaker Settings working , I downloaded the regular Audigy2 software CD and opened the Audio folder in the main program folder and ran the Setup.exe for each one. This way in Add/Remove programs it doesn't show 2 SBLive Value's and has the exact name of both apps . So now all of my software has been updated and matches the Mediaplayer instead of looking like the PlayCenter. The onlything I haven't tried is burning a CD using the MediaPlayer. Everything else works.

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P4 3.06 533|1GIG PC800RDRam|PNY 6800 128mb 16/6 360/780 78.05|SBLive Value #CT4780-Using Audigy2ZS drivers|WD Caviar SE 120 G HD|Logitech MX518 mouse|Logitech Z560 4.1 speakers|Logitech Wingman Formula Force GP wheel|17"Trinitron monitor|Windows XP Home

Eck

blast,

Yes, the MediaSource Player works fine with the Live, but the EAX Console isn't installed and that's where you turn CMSS on and off if you don't have PlayCenter.

I currently use an SB0224 (retail box, like all my cards are). I bought it recently because I wanted to have an extra card in case my SB0100 ever went on the blink and they stopped selling retail box versions. I also have my first, a CT4760. I refuse to buy any more Live cards! (Heh, heh.) I also bought the new one to have the full new driver/software set.

It's not necessary to install the aps individually. I first CTZAPP in the 402's from the ZS cd, reboot 2x, ctcomp the Audigy 2 cd, then run START.EXE from the Audigy 2 cd and install all but the EAX Console, Speaker Calibrator, MediaSource Player, and Windows Drivers (the later driver is already installed). Then I install the ap updates (the ones in that older guide plus the newer Soundfont Bank Mgr). Then I install PlayCenter from either the new cd I got with the SB0220 or the Compaq cd (this, so I get the different skins not included in the same version posted by Creative in their downloads). I finally reboot. I then install the PlayCenter 3.02.70 full version update from the Live Download Section and reboot. Then, I run ctcomp on the 441's, run setup, reboot, CTZAPP them over themselves so they show up properly in Device Mgr as signed and the correct version (the setup leaves them unsigned!). Reboot 2x. Do the same as above for the 443's, and finally I have it all installed. I finish up by copying the 4MB soundfont file from the Audigy 2 cd and the 8MB soundfont file from my old Live X-Gamer (CT4760) cd to the Windows System32 folder, and the EAPCI8M.ECW file from my old Creative Ensonic cd to System32 as well. Then I replace the 2MB soundfont installed by CTZAPP with the 8MB one in both the SynthA and SynthB cache's with Soundfont Mgr, and rename default.ecw in System32 to EAPCI2M.ECW and rename EAPCI8M.ECW to default.ecw. Reboot. DONE!

See how easy?

Amazingly, I've read in the Rage3d forum that Creative is working on separate driver/software sets for the Live line and the Audigy Line, and intends to abandon the Unified driver scheme. The guy there claims they are basing the new Live set on the really old set he posted there as being sort of a beta Liveware 3.1 that got abandoned when Creative pulled its Liveware team over to work on the UDA drivers. It's in a post "Drivers for SoundBlaster Live! users with Windows XP," and it's in the Hardware forum. The thread first talks about using the EMU APS drivers on the Live, but that's not what I mean. Later in the thread they discuss the driver I'm talking about, and the poster includes links to both the Liveware set and another rar file with patches to get more EAX presets and fixes. The first post that has these links doesn't work, but a few pages later the guy that hosts the files explained that he switched providers and he provides links that work. I peeked into the files with WinRar, and saw that the inf's include drivers for every card through the SB0101's, but no specific inf (there's a seperate one for each card) for my SB0224, or 220 for that matter. There is also no CTZAPP in there, so you either run his installer (which seems to be, like the readme, a Creative issued installer) or trust Windows to do it by pointing to your inf (if you just want to try the driver instead of installing all the software with it). Then you follow the instructions in the second rar file to install the EAX additions and fixes.

The folks who use that driver claim a better sounding card than any UDF driver (252, 443, whatever) provides, as it was optimized specifically for the Live card. Maybe I'll try it on my SB0100 at some point, but I'd rather stick with the Microsoft signed stuff we have at this point and see if Creative is really coming out with something new.

Dennis

jpinard

What do thse new Audigy 2ZS drivers do for an Audigy 2 user?

Compared to normal Creative drivers on an Audigy 2 - does it lower cpu utilization?

Does it make the sound, sound much better?

I saw the nice equalizer, so I know about that...

I'm real sorry if I missed the boat on this, and answers woudl be greatly appreciated!

Eck

jpinard,

Those drivers are provided for your card direct from Creative! Just go to your creative.com driver download page and choose to manually download them (safest). Run the 441 setup, reboot, run the 443 setup, reboot, and your done.

While your there, see if you've got the application updates. (If you haven't downloaded them before, you don't have them.) Install those too, to make sure your aps will still work with the new drivers.

Yes, they will sound better and you will be all set for any EAX 4 games that come out. They fix bugs too.

As far as the software, if you're pining for EQ sliders that's basically all you would get by going through the risky hastle of uninstalling everything and reinstalling from the ZS cd. I wouldn't bother. Just update your aps and drivers the official way from the Creative downloads for your card.

Now, as to my post above, I tried those old Creative drivers on my Live SB0224. I had to extract the thing and enter in my card id in several places in the closest inf to mine since there is no inf there for my card. I just made a few changes to it so it would match mine as an SB0220, saved it as an SB0220.inf, and also saved the matching file to the inf I used as SB0220.cab. Windows had to install it as there is no CTZAPP for the set and the setup.exe came up with that "no Creative audio hardware installed" crap. What I did worked, and besides needing to okay Windows to install unsigned drivers they install and run fine. Like the guy suggested, I needed to edit the registry to "AutoEndTask," changing it to a 1 so Devledr.exe wouldn't cause a problem while rebooting. The edit fixed that.

I strongly advise against using this driver. The files were slightly modified versions of the last Windows 2000 driver of the Liveware 3.0 series with the exception of better compatibility with XP. XP is named in the inf's. They do not sound as good as the official 252 unified drivers and they have all the bugs that have been fixed in the driver issues since then. I had a problem that the Surround Mixer wouldn't open, though AudioHQ and the Windows Mixer worked fine. It's just a not ready for primetime driver/software set. I don't know how that guy got a hold of it, but it wasn't worth my bother. I managed to wipe it from my system and did a clean install of the official 252 drivers and software.

That's right, the 252's. Once again I found that the newer Audigy series drivers run the Live fine. I mastered the setup of the accompanying software. No problem. But, you know how that midrange treble is so much stronger and clearer on the 402 and up drivers? Nice, huh? That's the improvement everyone is raving about to the sound of the Live card with the official 252 driver. Well, I HATE THAT! When I was a kid, the greatest invention known to music listening pleasure was the Graphic Equalizer. We could now keep the crisp highs and lower that horrible midrange! You can't do that with the Audigy 2 drivers! The Advanced EQ eliminates some of it, but I just think the driver itself is made to make the Audigy 2 sound good, but not the Live cards. When I listen with the official 252 drivers and software, there is less mid. PERFECT! I then pick the corresponding Advanced EQ that matches the music and raise the Bass and Treble (usually Bass 75, Treble 68).

So, yeah the Audigy 2 stuff works with the Live, but what we've got officially from Creative right on the download page for the Live works perfectly, sounds fine, and installs with no hastle. If they can make it sound better with future updates I'm all for that, but I don't think the unified driver series for the Audigy 2, 2ZS improves the sound for the Live. It's just a different sound that, on the Live, has unnaturally emphasized midrange that won't go away. I've also used a Santa Cruz and an Acoustic Edge. I found that I loved the sound on each of those, but the Santa Cruz had unnatural upper Treble, and the Acoustic Edge had unatural bass. I guess I'm crazy mad but I like the Live better.

So, to hell with mods. Just use the stuff they give ya and it works fine!

Dennis

dj_stick

eck regarding you sb0224 - this card model is technicallyt the same as the sb0220/sb0222/sb0226 model cards

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The_neo

HI Eck!!!!
I have gone through yur posts, but, it was confusing somewhat to me...i m having sblive 5.1(sb0100)....can EQ for audigy can works for live???? can u pLz elaborate the audigy inf file info regarding use for live ???
Thanx in advance....

dj_stick

the_neo, weren't you using kX… kX has far superior EQs and filters

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Eck

the_neo,

Well, I couldn't get the EQ, Surround Mixer, Speaker Settings to open when I had the Audigy 2 ZS software installed on my Live. I tried the whole EQ patch, and I tried the just replacing the pfmod thingy. So, when I was using this stuff, what worked was following the other thread regarding the Audigy 2 (not ZS) drivers and software for the Audigy 1, Live. I just modified it by starting off with CTZAPPing in the 402 driver from the Audigy 2 ZS cd and unchecking Windows Drivers in the setup options of the Audigy 2 (that multilanguage.rar download) software. I also unchecked EAX Console and Speaker Calibrator (they screw up the Live software if installed), and did not install MediaSource Player, opting for PlayCenter instead. I gave the full description several times in other posts.

So, no I never got the EQ. But, Live users have the Advanced EQ (as does everyone else) available for pre-customized EQ presets provided by Creative. This is the same as having the EQ, in my view, as Creative simply took the parametric eq and adjusted it for us for several different listening types (rock, jazz, etc.) I combine that with the Surround Mixer's bass and treble control to get essentially the same result as having slider bars to adjust manually.

dj_stick,

Yep, knew that! That's why I used SB0220 and the associated VEN id numbers when modding the driver inf to get those old drivers (made before the 220 existed) to install easily. I could have forced Windows to install the SB0102 inf (the one I modded to use since the VEN id number was only 1 digit different and it was still for a Live 5.1). You know. I would get that "This driver wasn't designed for this hardware, do you want to install it anyway?" question. Copying the inf and cab to the desktop, changing the inf and renaming both, then dropping them into the driver folder with all the others made Windows install it easily. The driver worked okay, but I couldn't get the software installed because whatever CTZAPP does to reestablish that I do indeed have "Creative Audio Hardware" installed is not done when simply having Windows install the driver. I tried rebooting a second time, like I had to do sometimes with CTZAPP, but the setup just would give that stupid message and exit. What I then did was install the SB0100 Liveware 3.0 software, which has, by the way, the exact same Surround Mixer version as the one that would have been installed by the driver setup had it run. I figured I'd have the benefit of a full set, with Soundfont mixer, etc. Well everything did work, except the Surround Mixer. It opened semi-minimized with just a graphically corrupted portion of it on the desktop. I had to end task it. Plus. stuff didn't sound any better than any of the modern driver versions that are Microsoft signed and have the additional pleasure of completely working with all the software! So I got rid of it and reinstalled my favorite flavor!

It's been fun playing with this stuff, but I'm kind of disappointed that all I got was a return to what Creative says I'm supposed to be using! I kept looking for better, but wasn't impressed. I even prefer having the EAX built in to the Surround Mixer like the 252 software has. The light blue look is kinda nice too! All these threads and playin around was fun, though. Especially the "I can muck around with drivers and software without destroying Windows" feeling. Like Church Lady would say, " aren't you feeling special."

Dennis

The_neo

Hi DJ_STICK,
Yes, i m using KX drivers.....i m having installed window Xp on different drives 1 with KX n other with creative (modded).....i love to do experiments.....hoping for some good.... but, i think i will stick to Kx in near future...as i m tired of doing these drivers installations part.....anyway.....by doing all these setup installations n the knowledge i got from this site is invaluble.... i m helping other guys in my campus who is having live/audigy....
Thanx again to all the guys who have directly or indirectly helped me in gaining so much......


//The_neo

dj_stick

i think the day kX has EAX support, even EAX 1, will be the day that gamers all over the world download it

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The_neo

Yes DJ_Stick .....optimistic abt that day...... on that day creative user to turn themselves to Kx drivers.....becos of Kx drivers i have started learning basic electronics from my friends n i think i will contribute to Kx in some programming level someday......


//The_neo

markm

EAX console works on SBlive value.
Never thought il get that to work, but it's running without problems with 3 of the features.
Also I got Surround Mixer from Audigy 2 ZS to run. (the changes I saw from older version is more accurate "percent" adjustments on volumes and "Advanced" tab is a bit changed).
Speaker Settings from Audigy 2 ZS is running too, but when it's "Close"-ed it it gives a error witch doesn't create problems for me becouse settings are saved (only changes is "Speaker Test" graphics and sounds).
Now back to EAX console, the 3 features that works are : Karaoke, Clean-up and "Due to Live! not having the EAX Advanced HD chip, there are a few limitations such as no time scaling" of course that is no longer available as Time Scaling is the third feature that works on Live!.

Eck

Well, I've discovered where the old driver set I was talking about came from. Remember the SBLiveXPUpdate.exe? It was posted by Creative soon after the release of Windows XP. I got a brainstorm and dug out that old file from my extensive old junk collection. I extracted it and, low and behold, it was the same set being offered by that guy on the Rage3D forum as an abandoned LiveWare 3.1. His download simply includes a seperate installation exe that you click to get it to install. It looks like he simply extracted the SBLiveXPUpdate.exe and relabled the exe with a Live Icon. It was the second version from Creative that included drivers for both the 4.1 (Value) and 5.1 card versions. He then takes the EAX stuff from Liveware 3.0 and mods a reg file so it will point to the correct folders. Same as installing your installation cd and then running the SBLiveXPUpdate.exe.

I now wonder whether he was being honest about Creative actually working on seperate Live drivers. It's incredible what people will do to make themselves feel important!

Dennis

The_neo

HI markm!!!
How u did it???. Can u elaborate ???may be helpful to LIve users???
thanx in advance...

Hi Eck!!!
the Drivers available on rage3d site r with me....sud i give a try? i have not installed it till now...due to its complexity....
anyway .....any thing new abt Zs drivers applications working on live?

bye
//The_neo

Chilljf

This thread is kinda old now but I ran into a problem. I have Audigy 2 & I just installed farcry 1.1 & noticed I do not hear some sounds like gunfire, jumping, water swish, talking, sound during intro. I have tried every sound setting possible.. headphones, stereo, with no eax in game, no doppler, made sure audio effects are off in eax console. I found a post on ubi forums sayin uncheck cmss 3d & set sound accel 1 down in dxdiag, but nothing worked. I am using YouP-PAX-V-Drivers & trying to find if others using these drivers have same problem. I am goin to reinstall the YouP-PAX driver & or try creative a2 zs drivers to see if that fixes my sound. I will also reinstall farcry as maybe I had bad install. I have had no problems with bf1942, bf:v, cs1.6, wc3:tft & everything thing except farcry. I will post back my results & if others can post if they have any farcry problems wit YouP-PAX on audigy 2.

__________________
E2180 M0 w/Nirvana NV120 (AS5) @ 3ghz
IP35-E (bios 15) 300x10 - 1.405vcore
(2) 1g Ballistix PC6400 (5-5-5-15 2T 2.2v)
MSI 8800GT OC
Audigy 2
(2) 36g WD Raptor
600w Ultra X-finity (2 80mm Fans) w/ CM690 Case (3 120mm Fans)
Plextor PX-712A
Win XP Pro SP2

dj_stick

try the a2zs drivrs first, and if they do not work go back to the original drivers for your card model

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Eck

The_neo,

Well, if the driver you mean is the one that is claimed to be some unreleased LiveWare 3.1, but is in reality simply the SBLiveXPUpdate.exe from Creative, then no. I tried it and saw no difference in audio quality. There is the additional hastle of, when following the instructions, installing the old EAX presets, registry changes, and also a workaround to avoid Devloder.exe holding up Windows from shutting down.

In actuallity, if you have a Liveware3.0 Creative install disk, you could install that and then update it with those drivers. Then you'd be going back in time to what users had a couple of months after Windows XP was released. They are unsigned when installed independently, as well. I think I recall stuff being Microsoft signed if used as an update to the Creative cdrom software/drivers.

The Audigy 2 and Audigy 2 ZS drivers do sound different. I wasn't sold on that sound being "better," however. I find that I'm comfortable with the drivers and software installed as Creative recommends. In other words, install the install cd, and update with the Unipack drivers and software updates on the Creative website for the SBLive. I say this, after having experimented and successfully run the 443 driver and the Audigy 2 software.

If you mean the EMU APS driver, that isn't mean't for the Live and you will lose some EAX stuff and have to deal with confusing software that best runs what it is designed for: the EMU Audio Production Studio card.

It's up to you.

Dennis

Chilljf

Well I tried reinstalling the YouP-PAX drivers & tried the hacked a2 zs drivers, but still no sound. I then just reformatted & installed normal audigy 2 drivers & updated everything to latest version. Everything is workin fine now in Farcry, so I dont know if I had bad Farcry install or hacked a2zs drivers dont work wit Farcry. Can anyone else using hacked a2 ZS drivers check out farcry for sound problems?

__________________
E2180 M0 w/Nirvana NV120 (AS5) @ 3ghz
IP35-E (bios 15) 300x10 - 1.405vcore
(2) 1g Ballistix PC6400 (5-5-5-15 2T 2.2v)
MSI 8800GT OC
Audigy 2
(2) 36g WD Raptor
600w Ultra X-finity (2 80mm Fans) w/ CM690 Case (3 120mm Fans)
Plextor PX-712A
Win XP Pro SP2

Robbitop

I tried YouP PAX 2 and got the same Problems.
I will try to hack the drivers @my own.

__________________
KX User
Creative SBLive! Value
EMU 10K1
German User
(my english isn't the best)

jimmybob479

It tells me i dont have an audigy 2 card, even after i patched the files with ctcomp 7.3.0.

Eck

jimmybob479,

Yes, that'll happen. What most of the time fixes that is CTZAPP.EXE located in the driver folder. Install the base driver (version 402) with that, reboot, reboot again. Then run the START.EXE and the install should take. You should also run the Audigy 2 application updates at this time. Do you have a Live or an Audigy 2. I know it's not a ZS or you wouldn't need this. With a Live, do not install from the Audigy 2 ZS cd. Yes, CTZAPP the driver in from it, then get the multilanguage.rar Audigy 2 cd file. That's what you need, as most folks don't seem to be able to get the ZS applications to open and run after the install but the regular Audigy 2 applications run fine. Make sure you uncheck Windows Drivers (so you don't get the older drivers overwriting the 402's you already installed), EAX Console, and Speaker Calibration. Also, I recommend not installing MediaSource Player. Although it will work fine, this would give you no access to turning CMSS on or off. Without PlayCenter you will have no 5.1 except on DVD's. To get 5.1 that includes the center channel you must activate CMSS through the PlayCenter's CMSS control. (You switch to player view and open up the right side to access CMSS.) So, Install the Audigy 2 applications and updates and PlayCenter 3.02.52 from a Creative cd or the Creative SBLive download page and reboot. Then run ctcomp on the 441 update, install it, reboot, run CTZAPP to reinstall the 441 file's over themselves (put a check in overwrite existing files), reboot, run ctcomp on the 443 update, install it, reboot, run CTZAPP to reinstall the 443 file's over themselves (trust me, or XP will think your set is unsigned and Device Mgr will list incorrect versions), and reboot. Now install the PlayCenter 3.02.70 FULL download from Creative.

Still continuing for your Live install here. Since you installed the drivers with CTZAPP instead of the cd setup, you will only have the 2MB soundfont in Windows\System 32. Just copy the 4MB soundfont file from any cd package (Audigy 2, ZS, SBLive, whatever) to System 32 and use Soundfont Manager to switch both banks to the 4MB version (at least-I use the 8MB one from a really old cd or even sometimes UtopiaLive 2.0!). I would also set AudioHQ to show in the systray and load on startup so you'll have easy access to the EAX Control, which is not part of the Surround Mixer in this new software.

If you have an Audigy 1, you can install the whole package, although I would still use PlayCenter rather than MediaSource Player. You also don't need to CTZAPP the 441 and 443 updates over themselves as they are designed to install fine on the Audigy 1 (just not the Live).

There you go! And it does work.

Dennis