Soundblaster Z Issue

[oxygene]

Ok I will add to the tons of threads regarding Soundblaster card issues since windows updates...

So I recently changed motherboard, and updated windows from 17xx to 18xx. Since I did both at once I'm not certain the culprit.

As it stands on windows bootup after a period of time being switched off my sound wont work. My sound card will show as SB Recon3d instead of Soundblaster Z, and the control panel for it wont work.

Solution: I repair the drivers, or uninstall and reinstall, then restart twice and it all works fine.

Problem: I go back to the computer the next day and have the same problem. Its happened a good 6 or 7 times now. And I cant find anyone with the exact same issue or anyone who updating drivers didnt help (I am on the latest drivers).

 

[oxygene]

Ahh cheers for the replies, I will try that tonight. The funny thing is I tried completely uninstalling the drivers last night then installed the soundblaster Z drivers from the website, and even at that stage it said Recon3d as the card. So not sure its windows fault at this point.

Someone mentioned on another forum that there might be an issue with Soundblaster cards in pcie 1x slots. I have mine in a 1x but I have a spare 16x. However the case screw for that slot might as well be welded in and no amount of torque from me gets it loose

 

[oxygene]

Apologies for the late reply. I've now tried creatives own advice as well which was a clean boot of windows with all startup items disabled, and to remove the drivers then reinstall them. Same issue.

I've also moved the card from PCIE x1 to PCIE x16 and no difference. I've also disabled windows driver updating.

It should be noted, I can completely remove the drivers and remove / uninstall the sound card and when I windows boot it will find it and show it as Soundblaster Z. But same as before, on restart its fine but on power off and startup it again comes back as recon3d.

This is driving me a touch nuts now as every time I want to use the computer I need to reinstall the drivers and restart twice, then change the sound settings to what I like

I would just give up and use the onboard sound but I've gotten very used to the luxury of toggling a switch in a control panel to change from headphones to speakers!

Plus I paid for this so it should work hehe.

 

[oxygene]

Oh crap dont say that!

My Motherboard:

GA-AB350M-GAMING 3 AMD B350

What does this hardware defect do? Anything in those slots doesnt work right, or something related specifically to soundcards?

*edit
Some chap on some other forums described this issue too and said it was fixed by disabling UEFI in bios. Would this cause other issues?

 

[oxygene]

Ahh yes thats what I have. Soundblaster Z and Soundblaster Audio Controller.

So theres nothing that can be done about it?

Currently the quickest way I have found is to not reinstall the drivers, but to uninstall them, then let windows install it again. This cuts it down to 1 restart :/