Windows Vista

[DanaG]

I figured out how to get Dolby Digital and DTS decoding back! Just copy the Dell ctac32k.sys (and perhaps ctdvda2k.sys) to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers, after you've installed the newest Audigy or X X-Fi driver set. You may also need to reboot (or at least go into device manager, check "show hidden devices," open properties of non-plug and play devices=>Creative AC3 Software Decoder, and then stop and start the service.

Now why didn't Creative do that for us? They give Dell working drivers, but they remove that feature from the drivers for everyone else, even though it WORKS! It makes no sense... but perhaps I shouldn't be surprised.

I try not to be biased against specific companies -- I hate when people are {Microsoft,Apple}-{lovers,bashers} (note that this gives 4 combinations) -- but unfortunately I'm finding it hard not to dislike Creative. I don't fault them for broken DirectSound, but I do fault them for expiring working drivers (those ones that expired in January).

Edit: make sure you copy those .sys files AFTER you have already installed the drivers. You should get the Decoder tab in Audio Console, and testing Dolby Digital and DTS in the SPDIF-Out device's properties should give you an OSD (many of the original CD's apps DO work if installed under XP SP2 Compatibility). I'm not sure if whether it's software or hardware decoding, though.

Edit again: changed title to suggest 32-bit only.

Message Edited by DanaG on 03-09-200708:23 AM

Message Edited by DanaG on 03-09-200703:33 PM

[WayneW]

Where can I find these Dell drivers?

[DanaG]

http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=Vista&message.id=8628

[WayneW]

thanks. 

[Darkstorm]

hi,
i have no "Creative AC3 Software Decoder" in the non plug and play devices.
Must i install the dell driver before install the creative driver ?
In the drivers folder is a CTAC32K.SYS..

[DanaG]

I used the latest X-Fi drivers -- extract them, and run the setup.exe in the Drivers folder. It may also only show up after the reboot that runs the READREG application.

[Darkstorm]

hi,
you have used vista32 or 64bit ?

[nickmo]

Hi,
so I have an X-fi xtreme music and an amd athlon64 x2. I installed creative's new drivers. rebooted blah blah. Then I copied the ctac32k.sys file from the dell driver archive to windows/system32/drivers. I also copied the ctdvda file from the dell drivers.
when i go into device manager/hidden devices i see Creative AC3 Software Decoder, but it is stopped and will not start. Under the general tab in the Device Status box it says "This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed. (Code 24)"

Any suggestions? I also tried rebooting, but it didn't fix anything.

[WayneW]

Nickmo, did you install the latest drivers posted for your X-Fi for Vista first?

[nickmo]

yup, i installed the drivers that were released yesterday.