How to Update to Creative Sound Blaster When My Sound Doesn't Work

Creative Sound Blaster can enhance your computer's audio.

Creative Labs is a company largely devoted to audio such as speakers, headphones and computer sound cards. Their Sound Blaster cards come in both PCI and PCI-Express slot types, which refers to the type of slot they fit into and interface with on your computer's motherboard. These cards, like most computer hardware, require drivers for them to function correctly in Windows. In the event your drivers end up out of date, your Creative Sound Blaster card may quit working until it is updated.

Instructions

1. Click "Start" in the lower left of your screen to open your Windows Start menu. If you are using Vista or Windows 7, it will just be the Windows icon.

2. Right click on "My Computer" and select "Properties" from the pop-up menu. In Vista and Windows 7, it will just be "Computer."

3. Select the "Hardware" tab in the tabs at the top of the System Properties window in Windows XP and click "Device Manager" in the top section. If you are using Vista or Windows 7, click "Device Manager" at the top of the left-hand menu in the System Properties window, then "Continue" when prompted.

4. Click "Sound, video and game controllers" to expand it. Locate your Creative Sound Blaster card in the list of items. It may be listed by part number followed by "PCI Audio Device."

5. Right-click on your Creative Sound Blaster card and select "Update Driver..." from the pop-up menu.

6. Select "Yes, this time only" when asked whether to connect to the Internet in the Hardware Update Wizard. Click "Next" at the bottom of the window.

7. Select the option to install the driver software automatically when prompted and click "Next." Windows will now search the Internet for updates for your Creative Sound Blaster card.

8. Click "Finish" when the process completes. Close your Device Manager and System Properties windows.

Tips & Warnings

• If your Windows Update service is set to look for driver updates as well, you can check with Windows Updates for driver updates.

• If your Creative Sound Blaster card is up to date, Windows will not install any new drivers but will inform you that newer driver software could not be located.

• You may need to reboot your computer after updating your Creative Sound Blaster driver.

References

• Microsoft Support: Update a Driver for Hardware That Isn't Working Properly

Resources

• Creative Labs: Sound Blaster Products