51

ADDING A SOUND CARD

CONTENTS AT A GLANCE Considering a Sound Board Upgrade

The pros and cons of sound boards Install the DOS software Install the Windows 3.1x software Install the Windows 95 software Test the sound board

Performing the Upgrade

Static precautions Prepare the system Removing the old board Install the new board Connect the cables

Troubleshooting the Upgrade Further Study

Of all the expansion devices developed for the PC, the sound board is certainly one of
the fastest-growing and most exciting. Only a few years ago, sound boards were little more than high-end replacements for the PCs internal speaker. But today, the sound board represents a sophisticated piece of audio engineering and digital signal processing that is capable of reproducing sound and MIDI files with a startling fidelity. Current sound boards offer many extra features, such as rudimentary speech recognition and sophisticated MIDI ports capable of recording and synthesizing orchestra-quality music. Even CD audio can be mixed and played through current sound boards. Although the sound board has become a vital element of most modern games, it has also become a staple of business presentations and multimedia displays. Practically speaking, the sound board is standard equipment for todays PCs. You will probably find yourself
1406

CONSIDERING A SOUND BOARD UPGRADE

1407

FIGURE 51-1

Inserting a sound board into an available expansion slot. Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.

adding sound boards to older systems (Fig. 51-1), or recommending and replacing the sound boards in current systems to take advantage of newer features. This chapter is intended to explain the important points to keep in mind when planning an upgrade, illustrate a typical upgrade procedure, and show you how to deal with upgrade problems.

Considering a Sound Board Upgrade

Choosing a sound board is not always an easy task. The many different models available cover a wide range of price and performance levels. Although virtually all sound boards exhibit similar basic functions, their noise and distortion levels can be noticeably different, as well as their performance in the bass and treble frequency regions. Sound boards also compete, based on added functionality, such as a MIDI port, joystick port, CD-ROM adapter, and add-on software utilities. As with all upgrades, advance planning is important for success (and a vendor with liberal return or exchange policies is often your greatest ally):
s Check your customers requirements Selecting an appropriate sound board is largely dri-

3
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

ven by your customers preferences. For example, a customer looking for a basic sound board to support game play is probably looking to spend as little as possible, and will likely be satisfied by a simple, low-cost board. On the other hand, an audiophile who plans to connect a MIDI organ and compose music needs a very wide response, low-noise, low-distortion sound board and a MIDI port with a large selection of voices. If youre replacing a defective sound board, the replacement should have features and performance specifications similar to the original board (unless the customer specifies something different). s Consider the PC system resources needed by the board This is an important (and often neglected) consideration because sound boards are often the single greatest resource

1408

ADDING A SOUND CARD

TABLE 51-1 RESOURCES USED BY A TYPICAL SOUND BOARD FEATURE Game port Sound port MPU-401/MIDI port FM music synthesizer WAV effects WAV effects WAV effects CD-ROM interface IRQ DMA I/O 200h-207h 220h233h 330h331h 388h38Bh 620h623h A20hA23h E20hE23h 340h343h

1 or 5

11

load in a PC. Table 51-1 lists the typical resource assignments for a Creative Lab AWE32. Most sound boards are built as 16-bit expansion boards, so the host PC must have a full ISA slot available. A sound board will require at least one IRQ line, one DMA channel, and one I/O port address (an extra I/O area might be needed for a joystick port). However, most of the current general-purpose sound boards are being built with integrated CD-ROM drive controllers. That drive controller will also require its own IRQ line and I/O port. A MIDI port and WaveEffects options (when enabled) demand additional I/O ranges for a base address and advanced synthesizer operation. Thus, one sound board (such as the Creative Labs AWE32) might demand up to two IRQ lines, two DMA channels, and up to eight I/O port ranges to support all of the boards features. s Consider the sound cards MPC compatibility Although MPC support is not mandatory for a working sound board, it might complicate operations under Windows or Windows 95, but virtually all sound boards manufactured today are compatible with the Multimedia PC (MPC) standards supported by Microsoft Corporation and other MPC members. Sound boards that are MPC-compatible will often bear the MPC logo somewhere on the box or manuals. Sound boards made by companies that are not members of the MPC council might carry markings on the box such as MPC-compliant (you can find MPC specifications in Appendix A). s Choose new speakers carefully No matter how good your sound board is, the output quality that you hear is largely influenced by your speakers (Fig. 51-2). Using a set of cheap, unshielded $20 speakers with a high-end $200 sound board is a serious waste of money and performance. Similarly, feeding the signal from a $70 Sound Blaster into a $200 to $300 amplified speaker system will not improve the sound cards output. For best results, match the quality of the speakers with the quality of the board. If the customer does not want to spend extra money on an appropriate speaker setup, they can run the sound cards line output to the auxiliary (AUX) input of a stereo system. s Choose the appropriate microphone for recording As with speakers, the sound recordings made by even the best sound board are only as good as the microphone itself. A good-quality, sensitive (-47dB or better) microphone with a wide frequency response, a low impedance (about 680 ohms), and a high signal-to-noise ratio (60 dB or better), and shielded cabling will yield a better recording than low-end microphones. Once again, match the microphone with the application.

CONSIDERING A SOUND BOARD UPGRADE

1409

s Check for motherboard sound systems In addition to drive and video controller features,

new motherboards now sometimes include a Sound Blaster-compatible sound system. If you choose to install a stand-alone sound card to take advantage of superior features, youll need to DISABLE the motherboards sound system before installing the sound board. On-board sound systems are typically disabled through a jumper on the motherboard or through the systems CMOS setup. You might also need to remove the references to the motherboards sound system through the Windows 95 Device manager. s Consider the package deals seriously Sound boards are typically available as standalone products, but the explosive growth of multimedia applications has resulted in the trend toward multimedia kitshardware and software bundles including a CD-ROM, integrated sound board/drive controller, interconnecting cables, matching microphone, and piles of software titles. Such kits are just a bit more expensive than sound cards alone, but provide several upgrade options in the same purchase. The sound board contained in a kit is also a bit lower-end. Audiophiles might be disappointed, but is often satisfactory for casual and business use. General-purpose users who need a CD-ROM drive and sound board might find a multimedia kit to be an unbeatable value. s Check the cost and availability The prices for sound boards are dropping quickly and older models are rapidly being outdated by newer, more powerful designs. As a result, the sound board installed in a system today will likely not be available in 18 to 24 months this makes direct replacement of failed sound boards very difficult. On the other hand, it offers the customer an interesting choice: replace the board with a similar model that will probably be much less expensive than the original or buy a new card for about the same money as the original and take advantage of the new features that are available.

THE PROS AND CONS OF SOUND BOARDS

There are very few negative aspects of having a sound boardeven a low-end sound board is generally better than no sound board at all. However, the playback of sound and

3
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

FIGURE 51-2

Connecting speakers to the sound board.

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.

1410

ADDING A SOUND CARD

voice files requires a substantial amount of data (especially at high sampling rates). All of this data must be moved across the expansion bus, which is almost always ISA. The problem is that older systems (usually i286 and many i386 systems) could not process data fast enough to keep up, and still handle all of the systems other processing demands (e.g., timers, drives, video, etc.). The net result was invariably problems with the playback, such as clicks, pops, hiccups, and outright sound interruptions. Ultimately, sound boards are well-suited for most i486 and all Pentium-based systems with plenty or processing power. But in older systems, sound boards are sometimes a less-than-ideal choice.

Performing the Upgrade

Fortunately, adding a sound card to a system is a remarkably straightforward procedure. The only real problem areas are in hardware conflicts and software installation. This part of the chapter covers the essential steps and precautions that you will need to remember when installing a sound card. Although the chances of a system failure during the upgrade are extremely remote, it is always wise to backup any vital files or programs before opening the system.

STATIC PRECAUTIONS
Most of the ICs used in todays expansion boards are fabricated with technologies that make them extremely sensitive to ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD). To ensure the safe handling of sound boards and other system components during the upgrade, take the following precautions. First, use an anti-static wrist strap whenever handling components or tools inside the PC. Cable the wrist strap to another reliable earth ground. Next, always try to handle expansion boards by their edgesavoid touching the individual IC pins or printed wiring. Third, if you will be removing an old sound board, have a good-quality anti-static bag on hand to store it in. Under no circumstances should you allow a sound board (or any expansion board) to rest on a synthetic or static-prone surface. Finally, excessively dry environments tend to allow substantial buildups of static charges in objects, clothing, and bodies. If it is possible, try to work in an environment with at least 40% humidity.

PREPARE THE SYSTEM

At this point, you can prepare the system for its upgrade. Be especially careful of screwdriver blades when working inside the PC. If you should slip, the blade can easily gouge the motherboard (or an expansion board) and result in broken traces. It pays to be careful and gentle when upgrading a expansion device. Before you even consider opening the PC cover, turn the system off, and unplug it from the ac receptacle. This helps to ensure your safety by preventing the PC from being powered accidentally while you are working on it. Remove the screws that hold down the outer cover and place them in a safe place. Gently remove the PCs outer cover and set it aside (out of the path of normal floor traffic). You should now be able to look into the PC and observe the motherboard, along with any expansion boards and drives that are installed. If you will be replacing an existing sound

PERFORMING THE UPGRADE

1411

board, now is the time for you to label any cables connected to it. Labels need not be fancya roll of masking tape and an indelible marker are all that is required.

REMOVING THE OLD BOARD

If no sound board is in the PC, feel free to skip right down and continue with the next step. Otherwise, start by disconnecting any cables that are attached to the current sound board (be sure each cable is labeled). You can then remove the screw that attaches the board bracket to the chassis, then gently ease the board from its expansion slot. Be sure to handle the board by its edges. When the old board is removed, seal it in an anti-static bag and set it aside. Look for several important cables:
s s s s s

The speaker output cable. The microphone input cable (if a microphone is attached). The line input cable (if youre mixing in a source from outside of the sound board). The CD audio cable (between the CD-ROM drive and sound board). The CD-ROM drive interface cable (if theres a CD-ROM in the system using that interface). s The 15-pin joystick or MIDI interface cable.

INSTALL THE NEW BOARD

Find an open expansion slot for the new sound board. Virtually all sound boards today are 16-bit devices, so you will need a full ISA slot. The card slot should also accommodate a full-length board. For legacy-type sound boards, check each jumper on the new sound board and see that none of the IRQ, DMA, or I/O settings conflict with other devices in the system. Use the PC Configuration Form in the Appendix to record the sound boards settings and tape the form inside the PC enclosure. If problems arise, this list will help isolate conflict problems. Ease the new board into its expansion slot (Fig. 51-1) and be careful to avoid flexing the motherboard too much in the process. Once the board is installed properly, secure the board bracket to the PC chassis with the single screw.

CONNECT THE CABLES

Now that the new sound board is in place, re-connect the cables as required. As a minimum, you will need to connect speakers, but you might also have to connect a CD-audio cable, CD-ROM drive interface cable, microphone, MIDI or joystick cable, etc. After each of the cables are secured, you can re-connect ac to the computer and reboot the system.

3
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

INSTALL THE DOS SOFTWARE

Sound boards require the installation of DOS driver software to set up and configure the board each time the PC is initialized. Other sound-board specific software is usually needed to operate the CD-ROM drive (if the sound board contains a drive controller). Where configuration utilities are loaded, executed, then discarded during initialization, drive controller software typically takes the form of device drivers that stay resident in

1412

ADDING A SOUND CARD

memory after initialization. If you are installing a CD-ROM also, you will need the DOS extension: MSCDEX.EXE. When installing a new sound board to replace an old board, you will need to replace the software already configured in CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT. Before installing the new software, open CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT into a text editor and place a REM statement before each command line that references any old sound board softwarethis effectively disables those lines without removing them. Be sure to save each of the changes you make. You can then proceed to install the new sound boards software (usually from an installation diskette). Most current installation routines will automatically add the new command line references to CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT.
Be sure to make a backup copy of your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files before you attempt to edit them.

These alterations to the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files are only needed if youre using the sound board under DOS or Windows 3.1x. If you work exclusively under Windows 95, you do not have to provide DOS support.

INSTALL THE WINDOWS 3.1X SOFTWARE

To support the sound board in Windows 3.1x, you will have to see that any necessary sound board drivers are loaded under the Windows 3.1x Control panel. Add any necessary drivers. If you have a CD-ROM drive and CD-audio cable attached to the sound board, be sure to include the MCI CD audio driver, which allows CD audio to be played through the sound board. If youre using a Windows 95 system, refer to the step below.

INSTALL THE WINDOWS 95 SOFTWARE

Once Windows 95 starts, youll need to install the proper drivers and utilities for the sound card. If the sound card is Plug-and-Play ready, Windows 95 will probably identify the new sound hardware automatically, and attempt to install drivers for it. If your sound board has a Windows 95 driver diskette, be sure to use the driver diskette as the source for the new drivers (otherwise, Windows 95 might install older or incompatible drivers).
Even if Windows 95 correctly identifies and installs the new sound card, you might need to manually remove the old sound card (if one was installed) from the Windows 95 Device manager yourself before the new sound card will function.

If the sound card is an older legacy device (or does not fully support Plug and Play), Windows 95 will not identify the new sound card automatically. Instead, you will need to remove the old sound-board references in the Windows 95 Device manager, and use the Add new hardware wizard under the Windows 95 Control panel to identify the sound board and install its drivers. Once again, you should have a Windows 95 driver diskette handy to ensure that the latest drivers are installed for your specific sound board.

TROUBLESHOOTING THE UPGRADE

1413

TEST THE SOUND BOARD

Many different sound boards include a small test routine on the accompanying software disk. You can usually run such a routine directly from the floppy disk or install it on the hard drive and run it from there. Typically, the test routine will check sound (i.e., a .WAV file) and MIDI (music) operation. If both features work as expected, you can be confident that the speakers are connected and that the sound board is installed properly. If either (or both) features fail to work, re-examine the installation, check that all necessary software was installed correctly and check for any hardware conflicts between the sound board and other devices in the system.

Troubleshooting the Upgrade

Sound boards are modular devices that are interconnected by relatively few cables. As a result, sound boards are reasonably easy to troubleshoot. The most difficult part of troubleshooting is the inconvenience of removing and re-installing a legacy sound board to check jumper settings. The following symptoms are intended to help guide you through some of the more difficult installation problems.
Symptom 51-1. After a new sound board is installed, the system locks up when trying to play sound and/or MIDI files This is typical of a system hardware

conflict between a legacy sound board and one or more other devices in the PC. Unfortunately, the only real way to resolve this type of problem is to remove the sound board and check its IRQ, DMA, and I/O settings against other boards in the PC. This is often a cumbersome and time-consuming process. As an alternative, try a diagnostic (such as MSD or one of the shareware diagnostic tools included with this book). If the diagnostic results prove inconclusive, try a hardware diagnostic, such as The Discovery Card by AllMicro, which reveals active IRQ lines and DMA channels. You can compare the active resources against the sound-board settings, then adjust any settings that overlap. Also check the sound-board software that is called by CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you have replaced an older sound board, be sure that any command-line references to the older software has been properly disabled with the REM statement. If you need assistance with conflict troubleshooting, refer to Chapter 10. If youre trying to use a PnP sound board under DOS, youll need to add a DOS PnP configuration utility to your CONFIG.SYS file. The driver diskette that accompanied the PnP sound board should include an appropriate version of this driver. You might need to use this configuration utility to reserve the IRQ, DMA, and I/O resources being used by other legacy devices in the systemthis will prevent the PnP BIOS from accidentally assigning the sound board to resources that are in use elsewhere.
Symptom 51-2. The system does not lock up during use, but there is no sound provided by the board Start with the basics. Be sure that the speakers are

3
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

turned on and powered properly, then check that the speaker cable is properly plugged into the speaker out jackspeakers inadvertently plugged into the microphone in jack will not

1414

ADDING A SOUND CARD

produce any sound. Next, check the sound boards volume control and be sure it is turned up at least 75%. Under DOS, check the sound-board software that is called by CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT. See that the sound-board software is installed properly. If you have replaced an older sound board, be sure that any command-line references to the older software has been properly disabled with the REM statement. Under Windows 95, see that no conflicts are listed in the Device manager and verify that the correct sound board drivers are installed. If problems persist, a hardware conflict might occur between the sound board and PC. Remove the sound board and check its IRQ, DMA, and I/O settings against other boards in the PCthis is often a cumbersome and time-consuming process. As an alternative, try a diagnostic, such as MSD or one of the shareware diagnostic tools included with this book. If the diagnostic results prove inconclusive, try a hardware diagnostic, such as The Discovery Card by AllMicro, which reveals active IRQ lines and DMA channels. You can compare the active resources against the sound board settings, then adjust any settings that overlap. If all else fails, try another sound board.
Symptom 51-3. The sound board works, but there is no CD audio under DOS In almost all cases, no audio cable is between the CD-ROM drive and the sound

board, or the cable is damaged. Check the cable and try a new one. Some CD audio cables are wired a bit differently and will not work with generic CD-ROM and sound-board combinations. Also verify that the correct complement of DOS sound card and CD-ROM drivers are installed to support CD audio playback (check to see if a patch or update driver is available).
Symptom 51-4. The sound board works, but there is no CD audio under Windows 95 First, suspect that the audio cable between the CD-ROM and sound board

is absent, disconnected, or damaged. Check the cable and try a new one. If the cable checks properly, check the Device manager to verify that the correct complement of Windows 95 sound card and CD-ROM drivers are installed to support CD audio playback (check to see if a patch or update driver is available).
Symptom 51-5. There is no sound during Windows events Windows sounds

are selected through the Sounds dialog under the Control panel. If no sounds are assigned, no sounds will be generated during Windows events. Check the Sounds dialog and be sure the desired sounds are assigned. If the proper sounds are assigned (but there are still no event sounds), check for the presence of sound-board drivers in the Device manager.
Symptom 51-6. The sound board appears to work properly after installation, but now there is not enough conventional memory to run DOS applications This problem is typical with current systemsthe many drivers and

TSRs used to support advanced features each demand their own area of memory. Eventually, there will no longer be enough memory for running applications. Use memory optimization techniques to load as many drivers and TSRs as possible into the Upper Memory Area (UMA).

FURTHER STUDY

1415

Further Study
That concludes Chapter 51. Be sure to review the glossary and chapter questions on the accompanying CD. If you have access to the Internet, take some time to review these sound upgrade resources: Creative Labs: http://www.creaf.com Altec-Lansing: http://www.altecmm.com Aztech Labs: http://www.aztechca.com Diamond Multimedia: http:/www.diamondmm.com Sony Multimedia: http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/ccpg/index.html

3
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT