This download is a driver providing Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ 64-bit and Windows Vista 32-bit support for Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ series of audio devices. For more details, read the rest of this web release note.
Take note of the following:
* THIS IS AN UNSUPPORTED BETA DRIVER. There is no technical support for this driver.
* We recommend that only experienced users install this driver. Do not install this driver for critical tasks.
* This driver is for installation with official release versions of Windows Vista only.
This download supports the following audio devices only:
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic,
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty
* Creative Sound Blaster Elite Pro
Take note of the following:
* THIS IS AN UNSUPPORTED BETA DRIVER. There is no technical support for this driver.
* We recommend that only experienced users install this driver. Do not install this driver for critical tasks.
* This driver is for installation with official release versions of Windows Vista only.
This download supports the following audio devices only:
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic,
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty
* Creative Sound Blaster Elite Pro
Current release features:
* X-Fi Crystalizer™
* X-Fi CMSS®-3D
* MIDI Playback
* EAX® Effects
* PCM stereo output through optical out
* Line-in connectivity
* Recording capabilities.
Known issues:
* This driver does not support the following:
o Decoding of Dolby® Digital and DTS™ signals
o DVD-Audio
o DirectSound®-based EAX games
o 6.1 speaker mode.
* SPDIF passthrough is supported on Vista 32-bit only.
* Applications from the original Sound Blaster X-Fi CD will not work with this download.
Notes:
* Do not install this driver for Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio.
* To install the driver, do the following:
1. Download the SBXF_PCDVTBETA_US_2_13_0001.exe file into your local hard disk.
2. Double-click the downloaded file.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
* To uninstall the driver, do the following:
1. Click Start -> All Programs -> Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Device Manager icon.
3. Double-click the Sound, video and game controllers option.
4. Right-click the Creative SB X-Fi option, and select Uninstall.
The Confirm Device Uninstall dialog box appears.
5. Select the Delete the driver software for this device option.
Note: This check box must be selected to avoid reinstallation issues.
6. Click the OK button.
7. Restart your computer.
* To reinstall the driver, do the following:
1. Double-click the downloaded file.
2. When the message You must restart your computer to apply these changes appears, click the Restart Later button.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Going to test all my games later
after install, i switched to 7.1 surround in the creative audio console. then i went to sound in vista control panel and selected 7.1 speakers. The sound test then worked (it didnt previously).
I've just tried NFS Carbon and its working fine in glorious 7.1 surround
Do these drivers have the direct sound hardware intercept going on? NFS doesnt use openAL does it?
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