Strange X-Fi problem

MeatLoaf

MeatLoaf

MeatLoaf

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Anyone else had this issue. Spec in sig.

Recently replaced an X-Fi Xtreme Gamer with an Elite Pro. The gamer worked perfectly in all 3 modes.

The Elite Pro works perfect in Audio Creation and Entertainment mode. In game mode however, it just emits very loud hiss that can bne best described as the sound you get with old TVs when you hadnt tuned the channel in and you had the ********* effect. Sometimes it also emits a high pitched squeal. Disabling Eax solves the issue and it then works perfectly fine, but game mode without EAX seems a bit pointless. Sometimes switching modes then changing back to game mode solves it and its ok with eax on.

I dont think its a problem with the card itself as its works perfect in the other 2 modes with EAX enabled. If the card was duff i think it would be the same in all modes. I have also tried it without the external console connected and its the same.

Ive tried it with the You-Pax drivers, Daniel-K drivers and the official creative ones with the same issue.

My next thought was it dosent like my systems so i tried it on my dads old 939 rig with 2Gb RAM and a A8R-MVP mobo based on an ATI chipset. Same problem.

Both systems have Win 7 on them, i havent been able to try Win XP to say 100% that its Win7 the problem.

This is the 1st time ive had an issue with an X-Fi and Windows 7 and it has me stumped. Any ideas short of a clean install?

Im thinking of asking on MM fir an Xtreme Music to borrow or if anyone locally has an XP system i may be able to test my card in thier system.
 
Not got that problem.

If I remember the reviews correctly, game mode activates another part of the card, which is why it was claimed to improve frame rates in games, this leads me to believe the card is dodgy, you tried it in other machines and drivers, can only lead to this conclusion.
 
Thing is tho if you switch modes a few times its ok then in game mode. I got it mainly for music creation so im happy enough i guess :)
 
Does the system crash after squealing?

It could be the infamous Creative squeal of death (google it). I had a similar problem on my Audigy 2. It would squeal and crash the PC but only in a select few games. It never initially had the problem but it developed later. Enquiries on forums pointed to some sort of hardware deterioration. It was most likely to manifest in games as they stress the Creative hardware besed chips (such as on Audigy 2&4 and hardware based X-Fis) more than most other usage.

Never had the problem again in that system with onboard Realtek, generic C-Media card, 2 X-Fi Xtreme Musics, Xonar D2 or two X-Fi Preludes.
 
Uriel said:
Does the system crash after squealing?

It could be the infamous Creative squeal of death (google it). I had a similar problem on my Audigy 2. It would squeal and crash the PC but only in a select few games. It never initially had the problem but it developed later. Enquiries on forums pointed to some sort of hardware deterioration. It was most likely to manifest in games as they stress the Creative hardware besed chips (such as on Audigy 2&4 and hardware based X-Fis) more than most other usage.

Never had the problem again in that system with onboard Realtek, generic C-Media card, 2 X-Fi Xtreme Musics, Xonar D2 or two X-Fi Preludes.
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No its runs as normal, turning EAX off, switching mode, swithing back to game mode and re enabling EAX fixes it but its a pain
 
I've heard nothing but problems with the high end X-fi cards. I've never had an issue with my xtremegamer, but I wouldn't be surprised if this were down to drivers as usual. Even Daniel K can't fix everything.

At that price point it seems to make more sense going for a xonar or M-audio depending on your needs.
 
alexhull24 said:
I've heard nothing but problems with the high end X-fi cards. I've never had an issue with my xtremegamer, but I wouldn't be surprised if this were down to drivers as usual. Even Daniel K can't fix everything.

At that price point it seems to make more sense going for a xonar or M-audio depending on your needs.
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In fairness it cost me £55. A bargain really just for the breakout box. Im going to try and get my hands on an xtreme music and go from there :)
 
Overheating can be an issue if an X-Fi is in close proximity to a hot graphics card or stuck in a case with not much airflow. It's not all drivers.
 
Terrible! My X-fi had the same problem!!! and it kept making popping sound like mad! and also their customer service was totally a nightmare!! so afterward I replaced x-fi with a Xonar HDAV 1.3, which is much better and with good C/P.
 
Uriel said:
Overheating can be an issue if an X-Fi is in close proximity to a hot graphics card or stuck in a case with not much airflow. It's not all drivers.
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Airflow seems ok, its in the lower slot away from the GFX card. The previous owner said it did get hot in use so the X-Fi chip now has some funky blue zalman ramsinks on it :p

 
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I have the XFI fatality which I believe is a similar card and don't have any of the issues you describe, my card does pop the speakers when changing modes though yes.
 
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