Linux Format forums

heiowge · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject: Windows 7 audio

For all the linux sound problems I've had, at least it acknowledges the existance of my sound card! Rolling Eyes

Win7 has (after a day of messing about and searching) finally acknowledged I have a sound card, but can't run it. I put pics of it here:

http://www.linuxformat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12729

Can anyone either point me at the drivers or help me to identify the maker so I can try and find them myself, please? Crying or Very sad

PCNetSpec · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 9:56 pm Post subject:

It's a generic card based on the C-Media CMI8738 chip.

Windows Drivers here:
http://www.cmedia.com.tw/en/DownloadCenter_Detail.aspx?pserno=0&dtype=ALL

They appear to want a login and password to download from the above site.

But you can get the CMI8738 Win7 8.17.40 drivers directly from this link:
http://www.cmedia.com.tw/Upload/Download/Driver/_PCI-8738-091211-7.12.8.1740(W7-RC-01).zip

(You'll have to copy/paste the above link including the black part as this forum seems to dislike it, or get it from the page below)

Above link found on this page:
http://www.downloadatoz.com/driver/articles/cmedia-cmi8738-lx-sound-card-driver-8-17-40-download-for-windows-7.html
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heiowge · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes...

***edit***

Ok, there is now a recognised device that I can tweak, that still has no sound coming out! Laughing

Any ideas...?

PCNetSpec · Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:21 am Post subject:

Are you sure the card works?

Are there any warning symbols in the Windows device manager?

Was the chip on the card a CMI8738 ?

Have you tried it in a different slot?
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heiowge · Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 8:43 am Post subject:

The card is recognised and works fine in Linux Mint 8. It's just windows that has the problem. I could probably switch to the onboard sound card, but when I tried that last, Mint stopped producing sound!

I'm not sure about anything with the sound card. It came with a windows driver disc that I foolishly binned because I was 100% linux at the time. But that was for XP only.

The slot it's in was the only free one, but I suppose I could play musical slots! Laughing

I'll give it a whirl later when I've got chance.

PCNetSpec · Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 2:45 pm Post subject:

If you go into the Windows device manager (Open Start, type devmgmt.msc and press enter), is there a yellow triangle symbol on the sound card?
(might indicate an IRQ or base address problem)

Can you check the chip on the sound card to make sure it's a CMI8738 (written on the chip itself)

See if there is anything on here that helps:
http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/62138-no-5-1-cmi8738.html

I'm amazed that Win7 has issues with CMI8738 chips, as they were one of the most common generic sound chips.

Some people say the WinXP drivers work...

I'll dig out a CMI8738 based card tonight, and see if I have any probs with Win7... other than the fact that it's Windows Wink

[EDIT]
Sorry I couldn't find a CMI8738 based card, but I'll see if I've got one at work, and get back to you.
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PCNetSpec · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:06 am Post subject:

Argh... Win7 has decided not to boot, and I can't be ar*ed to fix it... if you PM me your address, I'll post you a couple of sound cards if you want.
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heiowge · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:09 am Post subject:

Actually, I'm tackling it all from another perspective.

I logged on today and win7 was nice enough to accuse me of actually installing a <<gasp>> illegal copy! Rolling Eyes

So I ditched it and went back to XP. If I can get that working, I only have to (I think) rebuild grub to retrieve my linux setup.

Give me a couple of days to play about with it and I'll update you.

Cheers for all the help, btw. Very Happy

PCNetSpec · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:11 am Post subject:

Ok, good luck... gimme a shout if you decide you want the cards.
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heiowge · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:18 am Post subject:

Cheers. Will do. Very Happy

heiowge · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:09 am Post subject:

Scary. I might have to ditch XP in favour if 7 again. The graphics keep crashing when I run flash. There was a problem installing the default drivers...

heiowge · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 1:25 pm Post subject:

I pulled the sound card and reverted to the default one. I installed win7 and the default driver and now windows has sound. Now I just need to fix my linux system (simplistic by comparison)....

heiowge · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 5:39 pm Post subject:

After much faffing about I got a fully functional windows and linux setup again (without the soundcard!) Laughing

Sometimes the simplest solutions are staring you in the face...

Thanks for all the help. Oh, and PCNetSpec, that file you recommended helped. Cheers. Very Happy