I had put up a post before about this problem. http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=103228 dropped a creative labs tech an email about it and his response help fixed my porblem. in case anyone has this issue in the future, check out what he said. With regards to your issue, I would like you to do a fresh installation again for the card. Remove all Creative related programs from the system in the 'Safe' mode (Do it with caution): 1) go to window explorer->c:\program files\, and remove Creative contents. 2) run-> type 'regedit' 3) when in the 'registry editor', click on the 'hkey_local_machine' folder. 4) click on the 'software' folder. 5) remove 'Creative' folder. 6) exit program and do a reboot of computer. Once all Creative related contents have been removed, reboot again and go to main menu (F5) and select 'Normal' mode. After which do a full installation for the card. Make sure - That the card is seated properly in the PCI slot. - That the on-board sound on your motherboard is disabled through the BIOS. - That your motherboard BIOS is up-to-date. - That the operating system is up-to-date with the latest service packs and patches. - That there are no background applications open when you attempt the installation. - That the anti-virus program is disabled. As for the distortion on sounds, here is a guide to assist you. ************************************************ The EAX Audio Clean-Up option can be applied to existing audio files, or audio files being recorded in real time. To apply the Audio Clean-Up effects to existing audio files, follow the procedures below. 1. Open Mediasource Player. Click on Tools, the EAX Console. Alternatively, click on the EAX Console icon beside EAX at the bottom of MediaSource Player. 2. In the EAX Console, click on the Clean-Up tab, then check the box next to Enable Audio Clean-Up. Under the Audio Source box, select "Media Files". 3. Adjust the "Noise Removal", "Noise Band Adjust", and "Click Removal" to the desired settings. 4. In MediaSource Player, click on the View tab, select "Show Record Status" 5. Select the recording source set to WAV/MP3. 6. Open the file to wish to clean up. 7. Click on the Record button, then the Play button in the Mediasource Player. You can also enable Record Sync (under Tools) in Creative MediaSource Player. 8. When the recording has finished, enter a name for the recording. 9. Turn off Audio Clean-up in EAX console. 10. Play the new file, and test the effects. To remove clicks and pops while recording from a external source: 1. To record a track from an analog source to a digital audio format. Connect your source device (tape or record player) to the Line In connector of the audio card. 2. Open Mediasource Player. Click on Tools, the EAX Console. Alternatively, click on the EAX Console icon beside EAX at the bottom of MediaSource Player. 3. In the EAX Console, click on the Clean-Up tab, then check the box next to Enable Audio Clean-Up. 4. In the Audio Source box, select the source that that you are to record from, for example, Line-In 1, . If you have a Platinum Kit it may have other inputs listed like Line 2, Line 3 or Mic. 5. Adjust the "Noise Removal", "Noise Band Adjust", and "Click Removal" to the desired settings. 6. Click on the View button in MediaSource, and select "Show Record Status" 7. Set the recording source set to Line 1 or another source that you are to record from. 8. Press record on Mediasource then start play back on your external source. 9. When the recording has finished, enter a name for the recording. 10. Turn off Audio Clean-up in EAX console. 11. Play the new file, and test the effects.
