Sound Card Purchase Dilemma

UPDATE - Sound Blaster card now working.

First, I switched the slot with the already installed WiFi card I installed two years ago, the sound card started working. I was shocked. Then, I installed the WiFi card where I removed the sound card from, that worked; another surprised. What I did was just leave them there and not touch either again. Whatever the reason for the malfunctioning earlier, that's no more.

The Dell's system audio (BIOS) and the Dell's monitor audios are all disabled.

Thank you all for your helping me resolve my dilemma, well appreciated.
Stay safe enough!

Great stuff, got there in the end.

Torquemada said:

Great stuff, got there in the end.

Thanks!
But why won't the card's software install?

Have you definitely got one of these variants? You could try uninstalling anything connected with Realtek and rebooting.

It seems to me that you have dirty Sound Card contacts and PCI-E slots.

Whilst plugging cards in/out may shift dirt, you really need to clean both to make sure of reliable contacts.
For the PCI-E or RAM slots etc, I use a piece of Card dampened with alcohol.

"But why won't the card's software install?"

Same thing as above, could still be dirty contacts or Card not being fully plugged in.

Also make sure you have the correct driver for the particular Card and OS. Sound Blaster has a lot of minor variations.

Helmut said:

It seems to me that you have dirty Sound Card contacts and PCI-E slots.

Whilst plugging cards in/out may shift dirt, you really need to clean both to make sure of reliable contacts.
For the PCI-E or RAM slots etc, I use a piece of Card dampened with alcohol.

"But why won't the card's software install?"

Same thing as above, could still be dirty contacts or Card not being fully plugged in.

Also make sure you have the correct driver for the particular Card and OS. Sound Blaster has a lot of minor variations.

I had to unplug everything, took the case into the garage, vacuumed and then used the air can to really blew off dust. I did not go as far as cleaning with alcohol; got this after I had already used air.

The software I used was from the link in the literature with the card, and am sure it's the correct one. I'll keep researching to find out why.

Thanks for your time.

- - - Updated - - -

Torquemada said:

Have you definitely got one of these variants? You could try uninstalling anything connected with Realtek and rebooting.

Last night, I completely removed all Realtek traces in my system, including the registry. This eveing, when I get home, I'll give the OEM driver another shot. Nothing (I think) is connected to the Realtek. I disabled the system audio (BIOS) and the Dell monitor audios in the Sound tab.

I'll keep trying; won't give up on this.

Thanks for your time!

caxtin said:

I had to unplug everything, took the case into the garage, vacuumed and then used the air can to really blew off dust. I did not go as far as cleaning with alcohol; got this after I had already used air.

The software I used was from the link in the literature with the card, and am sure it's the correct one. I'll keep researching to find out why.

Thanks for your time.

- - - Updated - - -



Last night, I completely removed all Realtek traces in my system, including the registry. This eveing, when I get home, I'll give the OEM driver another shot. Nothing (I think) is connected to the Realtek. I disabled the system audio (BIOS) and the Dell monitor audios in the Sound tab.

I'll keep trying; won't give up on this.

Thanks for your time!

I'd double check the software. Here's my link. Creative Worldwide Support - Sound Blaster Audigy Fx