NT4 + SoundBlaster Audigy Platinum SB0090 - Sound is working only right after installation before reboot, but not after reboot - silence

[ruthan]

Hi,
im trying to make Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum SB0090 on Windows NT4 - SP6 on IBM x235 (socket 604) server converted to retro gaming rig.

  This machine has only free PCI-X slots so i cant use just some PCI sound card, i have only 2 PCI cards which are able to work in PCI-X slots (slot notches/holes) and Windows 98/ NT4 - SB0090 and SB0570 (this maybe can work within Win98/WinNT - have tried to force some drivers, there is not exclamation mark on devices - but only got noise sounds as at least 1 more user it the same situation ). Card is Working fine in Windows 98/XP/2000 - to Windows 2008. 

 I so far have only find drivers in the form of bundled CD images - their date is - 2001, July 7, expected that there would be updated drivers with fixes, but so far i did not found some.

  Problem is strange, right after i install drivers, without reboot sound is working fine, but after reboot i there is second part of installation and after that no more sound, even after addition reboot. If uninstall drivers, reboot, install them again, sound is working again.

  Other problem is that i cant install drivers just by pointing them to drivers directory with inf file (Win NT had not Device manager or Add New Hardware Wizard) from Multimedia control panel, its simply not accept folder with driver as source, its like folder does not contain driver.. In sound device description is strange text Sound Blaster ... (emulated).

  So only way how i can install driver is use *.exe installer (CTZAPXX.exe). I checked devices - services which are  running right after start, i have tried to simulate the same state but stopping device services, or removed devices right from registry to reach the same services state (only 2 are running after install when sounds are working), but sound is still not working even after reboot.

  There is no error in Event log, because system consider driver as running fine, device is processing data from Control panel Windows sounds, or Winamp, Diablo 2 demo etc as i case of working sound card, bu not real sound is produced.

  The i try Scitech audio driver installer (snapaudio-winnt-1.1.2-.exe) - recommended by BearWindows, i get only not supported card found message.

   Im no sure is problem is not connected to Direct X3, afaik NT4 are limited to DirectX3, newer versions (5 or 6) are supported only some unofficials installers. I have to dive yet into it.. When i checked some Dxdiag replacements there was not Sound devices with DX3 - only after i installed new DX hacks - but that threre was Primary sound card driver and SB Audigy 220 emulated, but sound was still not working.

  As WinNT are not Dos based, i guess some PCI registry hacking (save state right after install and upload it after reboot ) would probably not way how to fix it.

I dunno if its matters. but before restart its name of Device in Multimedia control panel - Emu10Kx Audio [2200], but after restart its Sound Blaster audigy [2200] emulated.

 Pictures from the working state after install before restart, all CT*  devices are related to Creative drives (only 2 device "services" are actually running):

Edited March 31 by ruthan

[ruthan]

Here drivers package right from cd..
It includes Win98 and Win2000 folders, im not entairy sure if installer does not use some files from them for WinNT4 too.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kfc2bunrfl75y98jscszh/SB0090-Drivers-ProvenBeforeRestart.7z?rlkey=8xdaurug2om1azwj6ze0hj7af&dl=1  // 16 MB

  

[ruthan]

Any idea how to bypass need for reboot to reinstall sound drivers? It would be nice workaround, to same me reboots and i can auto uninstall / install drivers at system start up.. I tried to search for Reboot registry key, i would some with some strange ABCD-EFXX-XXX format set 0 under some Creative Tech path, i set it to 1 but it wasnt right one.