No Sound With Working Soundcard

[Doctor Varney]

Strange title, strange problem - and even stranger solution. Well, I mentioned earlier that my sound card had suddenly stopped working - just when I needed it the most.

I completed the work I needed to for the week with my digital dictaphone, took a couple of days off and now finally had chance to take a look inside the machine. I took the sound card out of it's PCI socket and promptly re-seated it. When I turned the computer back on it immediately popped up a 'Found New Hardware Wizard' and re-installed software/ driver (even though it was already installed). Sound is restored.

Curiously, during the time when the sound was down, my Windows system properties were reporting "This device is working properly". Even the DSP mixer software was registering meter activity.

Question is - can anyone offer any clues as to what could have caused my sound to go down in the first place? 'Cos I'm damned if I can work it out. I hate to say it - but it seems this thing has a mind of it's own. The sound card was in as tight as it was the day it went in there and the computer had not been moved, so no chance of it being dislodged. Just one day, suddenly no sound... but nothing was disconnected or seemingly damaged to the naked eye.

I don't know if this is a common occurrence but I remember it happening once before with another computer (if that's any help). I can't remember exactly if it was the same sound card or a different one. If you have any idea what could have caused the problem, I'd be very grateful if anyone could enlighten me, as the last thing I need is a repeat performance of this at another inconvenient time.

Kind regards

Dr. V

 

[Bobbsy]

The driver and/or associated software for your sound card became corrupted for some reason. It's far from common but I have heard of it happening, particularly with non-specialist gamer's cards.

What sound card is it?

 

[Doctor Varney]

Hi Bobbsy. It's the E-MU 0404 PCI card. I don't think it's a 'non-specialist gamer's card'. It was sold to me as a pro audio sound card, for recording on. If that's any help?

 

[Doctor Varney]

BTW, sorry if I've posted this in the wrong section. I forgot to check before I posted.

 

[Bobbsy]

Ah, that starts to make more sense. Creative have, in effect, stopped supporting their E-MU brand (pity as they were very good) and haven't released any new drivers since they posted a pile of Betas a couple of years ago. They've been harrangued like mad over on their own user forums but continue to claim they are still trading even though the last "real" driver they released was for Vista (with an early Beta for Win7 and, obviously nothing for Win8).

Typical of Creative Labs...develop a range of gear that is actually very good then totally screw around with the people who bought it.

FYI, the problem you had is mentioned frequently on those user forums--it's a known problem with their antique drivers.

 

[Doctor Varney]

Thanks for that information, mate. It might never have occurred to me. But just one thing... how does the driver go AWOL when nothing was changed? Could this be anything to do with Windows updates er... I dunno... disturbing things? Perhaps I should mention I am using Win. XP Pro. Will be moving over to 7 in a few weeks, with a bit of luck.

Cheers

Dr. V

 

[Bobbsy]

Could be anything really--including your guess of Windows updates. Most interface manufacturers get advance notice of updates from Microsoft or Apple so they can be ready with compatible drivers--but, if E-MU aren't writing drivers....

Or it could just be a minor glitch that would have be fixed by E-MU in the next driver release...

Or an error writing to disc on your previous session..

Or....

I have to say, I'd approach your upgrade to Win7 with caution as long as you're stuck with the E-MU sound card. Creative have done you no favours.

 

[Doctor Varney]

I have to say, I'd approach your upgrade to Win7 with caution as long as you're stuck with the E-MU sound card. Creative have done you no favours.

Thanks for the tip. I will remember that. Now, perhaps more people will see see what I was getting at, when I said: "Computers go wrong in many interesting and colourful ways". I'm not sure how I would go about predicting this sort of error or safe-gaurding against potential future surprises. This has sealed my decision to get a hardware layer, expressly for recording.

Thanks for your time, Bobbsy. This has been a valuable lesson for me.

Regards

Dr. V

 

[miroslav]

Have a purpose built DAW running off the Internet.
No need for Antivirus...no need for endless OS patches/updates...etc.


My older DAW has been running without a single issue for about 12 years now. It was stripped down to only the bare necessities for audio. It's running on W2K, has never been patched or upgraded since. Never had to reinstall the audio software, drivers or anything of that nature...never had a crash with it.

 

[Doctor Varney]

Have a purpose built DAW running off the Internet.
No need for Antivirus...no need for endless OS patches/updates...etc.

This... might be possible... we'll see, depending on what bargains lie around the corner... For editing purposes, you know I rate this as good advice.

But when it comes to voice capture, for all the reasons I stated earlier, (silence, portability, dependability etc) I still think the hardware recorder is the sensible option for me. 'Course, I will be recording with this computer until I can raise the cash for a decent recorder. I'm dead pleased to have the system back up and running but I still aim to get something that will bring more freedom and confidence, before I go fully professional with my little venture.

My older DAW has been running without a single issue for about 12 years now. It was stripped down to only the bare necessities for audio. It's running on W2K, has never been patched or upgraded since. Never had to reinstall the audio software, drivers or anything of that nature...never had a crash with it.

Well, this is very good (and I'm aware you know more about computers than I probably ever will). I mean, as if I wasn't already sure, I'm now doubly assured that dedicated computers (if I must have computers at all) are the way to go.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Cheers

Dr. V

 

[miroslav]

You can have a multi-purpose computer...lots of people do it...I'm just saying that having a single purpose system, off the Internet will certainly minimize the amount of potential computer drama.


Now...AFA portablity....have you considered laptops?
There's a lot of audio guys doing pro tracking sessions, and they have a small portable rig....converteres, preamp, whatever...all house in a road case, and you can take it anywhere and be set up for tracking in no time.
Not sure how involved you would need it to be, but even at the minimum level, a laptop with a combo-converter would be no more/less cumbersome than a standalone rig...unles you are talking about small, handheld recorders.

 

[Doctor Varney]

Now...AFA portablity....have you considered laptops?

Feel inclined against. Okay, maybe it works for some people - and for DJs I imagine it would be a necessity. But Laptops... well, due to my experience, they raise a few concerns for me. Do you not think perhaps, far too much, crammed into too tight a space... far too many moving parts to go wrong and a direct invitation to over heating issues, leading eventually to break downs - and expensive repair bills? I'm not saying there are no good laptops, but at my price point, I worry I might be wasting my money, when I could get a dedicated, cool running piece of professionally rated, solid state hardware for... maybe half the price?

But that's just my initial gut reaction, based on advice I've been given, experience so far and instinct.

Regards

Dr. V

 

[ecc83]

Dr V. Re the original problem, the card seemingly "forgeting" its drivers:
I have 2 M-A 2496 cards, one in each of 2 desktops ( one P4 XP. One AMD dcore 2.7G W7/64). The card in the W7machine has just once gone AWOL for no apparent reason after 2 yrs faultless service. I downloaded fresh (but same version) drivers from M's and voila! Problem solved. That was nearly a year ago, been G as G ever since. The P4's card has never so much as blinked in 5 years.
*it'appen.

Dave.

 

[Doctor Varney]

Dr V. Re the original problem, the card seemingly "forgeting" its drivers:
I have 2 M-A 2496 cards, one in each of 2 desktops ( one P4 XP. One AMD dcore 2.7G W7/64). The card in the W7machine has just once gone AWOL for no apparent reason after 2 yrs faultless service. I downloaded fresh (but same version) drivers from M's and voila! Problem solved. That was nearly a year ago, been G as G ever since. The P4's card has never so much as blinked in 5 years.
*it'appen.

Dave.

Nice to know I'm not the only one! Well, not glad that you had a problem... but you know...

 

[Chili]

I have the same EMU0 404 pci card. Never a problem even when using the Win7-64 bit beta driver. There's a good chance your card wasn't seated properly in the PCI slot. That might have happened when you plugged the break-out adaptors in the back. The clue to not being seated properly is it loaded the drivers again. I'd expect that after reseating a card.

Also, I use the same computer for everything. A little pre-planning for catastrophies can go a long way. Image your c: drive and back up all the others routinely. Check out your computer after every Windows updates. Stay off the gaming sites and free download sites.

 

[Doctor Varney]

There's a good chance your card wasn't seated properly in the PCI slot.

You'd think so... but I checked that. Not sure how more far seated it needs to be than it was... like, fully in all the way. As said, nothing happened since installation to dislodge it.... unless the elves came in while I was asleep.

That might have happened when you plugged the break-out adaptors in the back. The clue to not being seated properly is it loaded the drivers again. I'd expect that after reseating a card.

Erm... yeah, it can. That happened with another computer where I had this flimsy case and the thing kept popping out when I drove in the retainer screw. Thankfully, that problem ceased when I upgraded to a far more solid case. It's very nice, actually.

Stay off the gaming sites and free download sites.

Oh yes! I don't game and never use torrent sites. Or anything like that. Nuthin' there to interest me, really.

Regards

Dr. V

 

[Bobbsy]

Thanks for the tip. I will remember that. Now, perhaps more people will see see what I was getting at, when I said: "Computers go wrong in many interesting and colourful ways". I'm not sure how I would go about predicting this sort of error or safe-gaurding against potential future surprises. This has sealed my decision to get a hardware layer, expressly for recording.

Thanks for your time, Bobbsy. This has been a valuable lesson for me.

Regards

Dr. V

I think the valuable lesson from this one isn't that computers go wrong. It's more that, even if they appear to be changing their ways, one should never, ever get involved with bloody Creative Labs because they'll come back and bite you in the posterior.

The move to a hardware recorder is, of course, your choice. However, don't assume that these are without their own problems. I recall spending a lot of online time a while back trying to help somebody with a particular model of Tascam recorder--it was noisy and low level when he plugged in a mic. It turned out that the Tascam was built to expect a non-standard input impedance and level.

I only mention this to show that a hardware recorder is NOT a magic fix, especially as you've mentioned that you need to use a computer for editing and mastering anyway.

 

[miroslav]

The other thing to remember with standalone digital recorders is that if they crap out/die....you can just toss it in the garbage and then start all over with a new device.
With a computer (laptop or desktop)....your actual DAW software is *portable*...so if the computer dies, you don't completely lose the DAW apps you purchased, you just reinstall them on a new computer.

 

[ecc83]

The other thing to remember with standalone digital recorders is that if they crap out/die....you can just toss it in the garbage and then start all over with a new device.
With a computer (laptop or desktop)....your actual DAW software is *portable*...so if the computer dies, you don't completely lose the DAW apps you purchased, you just reinstall them on a new computer.

Unless of course the software is Steinberg's or Magix in which case you will be judged a thieving illegitimate out to score a free go!

Or am I just a cynical, BOF?

Dave.

 

[Chili]

The other thing to remember with standalone digital recorders is that if they crap out/die....you can just toss it in the garbage and then start all over with a new device.

Start all over as in re-record whatever song you had on the standalone. What a pain that is. I had a portastudio when I first started out. Could never figure the thing out. Eventually tossed it out of frustration. The good thing was all the songs I had were horrible and I gladly threw them away never to listen to them again!!!