center channel on 5.1 doesnt function

hi guys,

i just formatted and reinstalled winxp pro - also reinstalled the latest software for the Audigy 2ZS (downloaded off their website)

what i did was to install from CD, then install the one from the web (it wanted to uninstall old software then reinstall, which i did)

i'm using logitechs z5500, and the center channel doesnt work
when i click on noise test it only tests the front 2, not even the back 2 or the sub

any idea on how to help me out here guys? i'm kind of stumped. playing music will make all 4 channels work but not the center channel

cheers

update: reverted back to original CD drivers but still cant get the center channel to function - it worked prior to my format, any ideas?

bump - anyone?

i found on the creative website how to 'completely' remove the drivers/software and all traces, apparently the add/remove function doesnt work properly

should i try that and then try again with the original install CD? i'd really hate to format one more time, not for the installation of the software, just those damn windows updates!

thx

another update: completely wiped out any traces of the sound card and started over from scratch - apparently the front and back audio channels are playing simultaneously

front and rear left play the same audio at the same time, while front and rear right do the same
center channel and subwoofer are completely bypassed

has anyone ever witnessed this before and is there a way around it?

if not, i might as well just format because this is taking alot longer - by now i couldve just formatted and reinstalled all the patches/updates and the sound card audio (and hope for the best)

thx

skinlab said:

hi guys,

i just formatted and reinstalled winxp pro - also reinstalled the latest software for the Audigy 2ZS (downloaded off their website)

what i did was to install from CD, then install the one from the web (it wanted to uninstall old software then reinstall, which i did)

i'm using logitechs z5500, and the center channel doesnt work
when i click on noise test it only tests the front 2, not even the back 2 or the sub

any idea on how to help me out here guys? i'm kind of stumped. playing music will make all 4 channels work but not the center channel

cheers

update: reverted back to original CD drivers but still cant get the center channel to function - it worked prior to my format, any ideas?

Click to expand...

I have indeed had the same problem, how is the 5500's connected to the audio card? by the three cables? or by a spdif or fiber?

if you have it connected through the three analog cables make sure they are pushed in all the way as well as connected to the pod.(Also make sure they are plugged into the right slots) also make sure that you have the slider switch on the back of the z-5500 pod switched to "6 channel analog" then you need to make sure the pod is switched to six channel speakers, can't remember seeing how im at work, but i think it is "Analog surround" or "6 channel analog" or something like that, if not there will be others saying like dolby movie, dolby music...etc. and that will not give you all 6 channels. also just to make sure everything is setup properly, run the "TEST" button on your 5500 remote to make sure all is connected. then from there make sure you have 5.1 on the creative software as well as selected for analog output.

if it is fiber optics, and your pod is connected fiber make sure the setting is on "Optical" on the pod, and note that it will not play surround unless you are in a movie that supports it....and if you are testing it with a movie, go into to your Control Panel -> AudioHQ, and make sure that it is set on external decoder.

I believe that is the same with the digital coax. It will also not play 5.1 with games even though they are dolby digital supported. that is why i reccomend analog connections only seeing how the degregation of quality is only minimal and yet I have experimented with the analog vs. optical...I have found that the Optical does indeed produce a crispier, more defined sound, but the disadvantages much outweigh the advantages of having it connected through digitally, so I have mine hooked up with analog cables.

I have had the same troubles... problem is usually in the windows sounds > speakers

May depend on your wiring as stated above. 6 Channel Direct for the analog. This is how I have mine setup. And try testing the speakers by clicking "Channel" in the speaker settings. If that's no good maybe check your wiring? But if its fine and you don't get sound for mp3's I would try messing around with CMSS3D settings.

i did a reformat and installed drivers straight off the site

seems like 6 chan direct works fine, surround and surround x2 doesnt get the center chan working, so ill try messing with that, movie and audio digital work fine with center channel as well

oh well, seems fine for now...

thx fellas

skinlab said:

i did a reformat and installed drivers straight off the site

seems like 6 chan direct works fine, surround and surround x2 doesnt get the center chan working, so ill try messing with that, movie and audio digital work fine with center channel as well

oh well, seems fine for now...

thx fellas

Click to expand...

From what I understand about this post, you are stating that when in surround and surround x2 (the dolby movie and dolby music) you do not get center channel? well you won't if you are in that option, so nothing is messed up, I would just recommend keeping it in 6 Analog Channels and dont mess with the extras as long as you want to keep all 6 channels working. Im glad you got it all figured out and I know how much of a pain it is getting that to work, the first time I ran into this problem, it took me more than 3 hours to get it straightened out!