RejZoR’s OpenAL Generic Fixer

1 07 2008

RejZoR, the mighty Guru, has provided all of us Creative victims with a handly little tool. The tool solves a number of OpenAL issues that Creative never bothered to address (probably never noticed). Respect most high to the sheep-like one. You might want to add RejZor’s blog to your favourites too…

OpenAL Generic Fixer 1.0 released!

I’ve made this tool to solve some of OpenAL issues. OpenAL is an open audio subsystem that has replaced old DirectSound (starting with Windows Vista). Most of new games use it to utilize hardware accelerated sound and special effects like EAX Advanced HD.
But when things go wrong, it’s usually because of either very old OpenAL libraries, corrupted OpenAL files or something similar. This tool deletes old files, automatically downloads latest OpenAL installer and executes it. It should be easy enough for anyone to at least try to solve sound related problems without extensive help from tech support or the geeks around

Oh and don’t forget to update your audio drivers if you haven’t already!

Situations where this tool might help:
- no sound in games
- sound is skipping or has bad delay
- cannot enable Hardware Acceleration in games
- cannot enable EAX audio effects
- when games crash with error “OpenAL32.dll cannot be found” or something similar

Download: OpenAL Generic Fixer.zip

Works for me!





X-Fi Crystalizer for SB Audigy Series

18 05 2008

Warning: This software is unofficial, not supported by Creative Technology Ltd.

Use it at your own risk. 

 

This utility was written from scratch and does not contain any copyrighted code. Creative’s director of developer relations, George Thorn told me, in a chat session, that is OK to provide mods as patches.


 

X-Fi Crystalizer for Creative SB Audigy series 1.2.0.0 - by Daniel Kawakami


WARNING: Use this utility at your own risk, without any guaranties.

This small utility will unlock X-Fi Crystalizer on any Audigy card, except the Audigy SE/Value/LS.

 It requires Windows running in Safe Mode.

 

 
How to use:

 1) Install the unofficial “SB Audigy Series Installation Disc for Windows XP/Vista” (new version, unreleased) or “SB Audigy series Vista Support Pack” from Daniel Kawakami (daniel_k).

 Restart Windows to complete the driver installation.

 2) Restart Windows in Safe Mode.

Install the X-Fi Console, then run CrystalizerUnlocker.

Restart Windows in Normal Mode.

 3) Open the X-Fi Console and enjoy!

 IMPORTANT NOTES:

 This is a software (host-based) implementation of Crystalizer

 CMSS in Audio Console/EAX Settings only works with OpenAL/ALchemy

These utilities configure CMSS in hardware mode, that requires OpenAL or ALchemy. Disable CMSS to avoid conflicts with X-Fi CMSS-3D.

 In software mode, used by Windows Vista, use the X-Fi Console to enable X-Fi CMSS-3D.

X-Fi Console

Provides the following audio enhancements:

- EAX effects
- X-Fi CMSS-3D
- X-Fi Crystalizer

These enhancements only work with the Windows Vista audio system, that uses software processing and don’t work with OpenAL and ALchemy.

When using X-Fi CMSS-3D, disable CMSS in Audio Console/EAX Settings to avoid conflicts.

 *** There were some bugs in the previous version.

*** To install this new version, you must remove everything, including the driver, applications, “Creative” folders in “Program Files” and all registry entries.

 The X-Fi Console is just the “X-Fi Audio Console” renamed to co-exist with the Audigy Audio Console and the unnecessary tabs were removed.

Without the CrystalizerUnlocker, it does nothing, so it was not “cracked”.

X-Fi Console and its files are property of Creative Technology Ltd.

Download: Crystalizer Unlocker (19.4 Kb)

                 X-Fi Console 2.50.11 (5.78 Mb)

 

“Beefy Bass Has Returned”

In practice, the Crystalizer is a dedicated, dynamic equalizer (Exciter). Its main function is to enhance the high and low frequencies of the input audio. Other functions include modifying a certain range of frequencies in order to achieve better perceived sound quality on a wider array of equipment such as headphones and speakers, and also to digitally increase the volume by about 3db. The Crystalizer emphasis can be adjusted between 0-100% when enabled, however even at 0% the audio is still processed partially. As a consequence of enabling the Crystalizer, the original signal is altered, and whether the result improves upon the original audio is purely a matter of perception and can depend on the type of audio being played.





Creative ALchemy 1.10.01 Available

15 05 2008

This download is an application for Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ and Sound Blaster Audigy® series of audio devices. It restores 3D audio and EAX® effects for certain DirectSound®3D games in Microsoft® Windows Vista®. For more details, read the rest of this web release note.

This download supports the following audio devices only:

* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty® Pro
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Video Editor
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS SE
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum EX
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2
* Creative USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy LS

Fixes:

* Enables the DirectSound3D game audio to be processed by your Sound Blaster X-Fi to deliver EAX effects, 3D audio spatialization, sample rate conversion and hardware audio mixing. Without this, most DirectSound3D games will be reduced to stereo output without any EAX effects.
* Resolves issues with some games if Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is installed.

Requirements:

* Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit or Windows Vista 32-bit
* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi or Sound Blaster Audigy audio device listed above

Notes:

* Do not install this application if you do not play DirectSound3D games in Windows Vista.
* To find out more about Creative ALchemy or view the list of DirectSound3D games supported, click here.
* To install the application
1. Download the ALMY_PCVTAPP_LB_1_10_01.exe file onto your local hard disk.
2. Close all other Windows applications.
3. Double-click the downloaded file.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Download Link 1

 





Creative “Offer” ALchemy Refunds For Audigy Owners!

8 05 2008

I really couldn’t believe this post on the Creative user forums. It looks as if Audigy owners may finally be getting heard. It’s called an “offer”. It’s as close to an apology as we are going to get I’m afraid.

Hello Soundblaster forum users,

I have an update for ALchemy for Audigy users. The same rules Cat mentioned apply, keep the discussion constructive and in the Feedback Thread please.

_______________

Creative has reviewed the discussions concerning ALchemy for Audigy on this forum and others. A new free version of the ALchemy application for Audigy owners will be released in the week of May 19th. Audigy owners that have already purchased ALchemy are being offered a refund of the purchase price of $9.99. To request a refund, please visit here. Complete the email form specifying the email address you used to purchase ALchemy For Audigy. The refund will be made to the credit card that was used for the original purchase. Please allow 30 days for the refund to take place. This offer is valid until 30th June.

The ALchemy application is being provided independent of the drivers, as it is not a driver. The new version of the application works with both X-Fi and Audigy products, and we have added additional updates relating to some popular games that behave differently on the X-Fi chipset as compared to the Audigy chipset. We would suggest you download the latest version from CREATIVE.COM when it becomes available.

Thank You.
The Soundblaster Team.

Forum Moderator
Creative Labs

So there we have it. If you purchased Alchemy from the Creative online store you are entitled to a full refund. You need to do it fast, because the “offer” ends 30th June 2008.

I personally welcome this move. Customers shouldn’t have to buy their features back simply because a new operating system arrives. I refuse to be persuaded in to buying an X-Fi until I see a company worth buying from. I don’t understand why the “offer” can’t last longer either.

I was sold my Audigy cards based on their high end features and luxurious glossy advertisements. Maybe they should have government health style warnings that state “the support is only valid for 90 days and is usually automated”.

Yes, I welcome the move -it’s a step in the right direction.
Shame they can’t “offer” working official drivers yet.

 GOAT LIKE IT

“Most people downloaded ALchemy Universal anyway”.





Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector XP/Vista Driver Version 1.06 (10/22/07)

4 11 2007

Finally I can dispose of my Windows XP partition.

Recently, I decided to try one of the many work arounds to try and get our Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector working in Vista. I’d tried before, but had very little success to say the least.

As a last resort, I visited the Nintendo download section. I say visited, what I really mean is trawled through millions of pages trying to find the actual download page. I am quite amazed that Google didn’t find it with terms such as “WiFi Vista Nintendo” and “Nintendo WiFi Driver”. Anyway I eventually found the page I was looking for….. and it had been updated!

Wow. Nintendo have finally updated the software to work on Windows Vista. I knew the software wasn’t going to be too great, but I had nothing to lose so gave it a shot. I have to say -it works much better now.

This version features the following upgrades/corrections from version 1.05:

  • Reduction of CPU load when the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector is not connected.
  • Changes to certain registration tool message displays.
  • Added Windows Vista compatibility.
  • Change to specification that requires the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector to be attached when uninstalling.

Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector version 1.06 - Install Instructions

! You MUST uninstall any previous versions of the software.
! You MUST have the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector plugged in during the uninstall.

1. The uninstall can be found in your Programs list in the “Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector” folder.

2. Run the “Uninstall Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector Registration Tool” click OK.

3. If the software prompts you to insert the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB connector, please ensure the connector is inserted into the USB port it was inserted into during the installation process.

4. The software will ask you to restart your PC, click “Restart.”

5. Remove the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector.

6. Open the NintendoWiFiUSB106 folder where you found these
Instructions, and open the NintendoWFCReg folder. Run the Setup.exe file found there.
For complete setup instructions:
Wii: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/connectingOnline.jsp?entryId=usbInstall
DS: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wfc/en_na/ds/connect.jsp?entryId=usbInstall

For troubleshooting, go to:
http://support.nintendo.com

Download:
Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector
XP/Vista Driver Version 1.06
FROM HERE.
Having problems? Try This Download Link instead.





RocketDock - Too Cool To Keep To Myself

3 10 2007

Well I’ve found something really cool, so cool. It’s a groovy way to tidy your desktop and it’s very practical. Forget Vista’s sidebar and it’s CPU-hogging evilness. Forget your quick launch toolbar.

It’s also totally free, which is a real bonus. There are many ways to customise it and works on both Vista and Windows XP. I was really impressed with the way it uses minimal resources. It has to be said, it works really well on all the systems I’ve installed it to.

On my Vista machine, it minimizes videos to icon size - which really looks cool. I love it -and now you can too.


Program Features

  • Minimize windows to the dock
  • Real-time window previews in Vista
  • Running application indicators
  • Simple drag-n-drop interface
  • Multi-monitor support
  • Supports alpha-blended PNG and ICO icons
  • Icons zoom and transition smoothly
  • Auto-hide and Popup on mouse over
  • Positioning and layering options
  • Fully customizable
  • Completely Portable
  • ObjectDock Docklet support
  • Compatible with MobyDock, ObjectDock, RK Launcher, and Y’z Dock skins
  • Runs great on slower computers
  • Unicode compliant
  • Supports many languages and can easily be translated
  • A friendly user base :)
  • And best of all… its FREE!!!

Download
Download Mirror 1: Latest Version 1.3.5 (6.20 MB)





Guru3D - Driver Sweeper v1.0 Final Relased

24 09 2007

No More Goat Soup Salutes FnF
FnF has updated the Guru3D - Driver Sweeper. This release includes many improvements on previous version and even a handy Desktop Icon Position Restorer. Best of all, he’s very kindly added a whole bunch of Creative Vista files/entries for us. Mainly the files that have caused many hours of stress for many people here….

This utility is awesome. It’s going to solve many install errors, and I find it an essential tool for Creative updates in Vista. I’ll also take a moment to add that the Guru3D.com community rules.

Go download it right away!

Guru3D - Driver Sweeper is a fast tool to remove driver leftovers from your system. It’s very important to remove your drivers on a proper way, because driver leftovers can cause problems like stability and startup problems. You can use it if you want to update/remove drivers from your system. The current supported drivers are NVIDIA (Display and Chipset), ATI (Display), Creative (Sound) Realtek (Sound), Ageia (PhysX) and Microsoft (Mouse).

More info can be found at the Guru3D Driver Sweeper homepage.

System requirements:
The Guru3D - Driver Sweeper is fully tested on Windows 2000, XP and Vista. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are supported.

New functions: 

  • Desktop Icon Position Restorer. This can restore the positions of your desktop icons. Only 32-bit Windows versions are supported at the moment.

Updated: 

  • Help is now opened maximized.   
  • Improved Creative File Cleaning. Thanks to MrBozack.   
  • Improved Creative Registry Cleaning. Thanks to MrBozack.   
  • New icons on toolbar.   
  • Added Spanish translation. Thanks to GalForD.   
  • Added Portuguese translation. Thanks to AmnesyA.   
  • Optimalizations.   
  • Window positions from Logs, Backups, Options and Desktop Icon Restorer are now at the center of main. Special thanks to Na’Ryan and Mr. T. for this release! 

Download: