DOS Games Discussion

Gameboy kid · Guest

i have a sound blaster 32awe. it worked great with my 98 but when i put in xp when the other one died it wasnt recognized. i coudnt get any drivers anywhere. but i did find some but they were crap. i also found one that was compatible but said it coudnt find enough resources and no sound was coming through. adn i have no idea what to do. any help?

dosraider · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject:

More info please.
Correct type of SB AWE.
System specs? (CPU-RAM ?)

When you know the exact type of SB AWE (there are several) you can search for drivers@
http://www.driverguide.com/
Free registration is needed.
If you can't find specific XP drivers for your AWE type, try the Win2000 (W2K) ones, usually they work on XP.

BTW, do you have the XP install CD? Original one? I've installed XP on several PCs with SB-AWE (several types of AWE) and they all worked fine.

You could also try configuration screen-> add hardware.

gameboykid · Guest

its a soundblaster 32 awe. i dont have the xp cd though wish i did (damn gates and his bloody expensive things) but hav ebeen looking around hte internet again and i read that theres this file called Pnpisa.inf. it said that you can get it off a winodws nt cd or 2000. i have been looking for a download of it but coudnt find it. if you still dont know which sound card im talking about heres a picture of it www3.sympatico.ca/getit/ebay2005/awe-32-1.jpg

i have a windows xp (pentium 3)

dosraider · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:49 am Post subject:

The closest to XP that's downloadable I can find is:
SB AWE drivers for NT

It's for NT4. (XP is a NT)

That pnpisa.inf file you talk about is only a txt file that tells XP how and what to install to get it working, besides that you still need the drivers.
So you will need the XP install CD if you must install it manually.

[Edit: Some more thoughts .....]
1) Wouldn't you better be with W2K on such PC?
It will run much better than XP, there isn't much added value on a P3/XP, it will be to slow anyway for newer games.
2)Check first in the BIOS if you don't have an onboard soundchip, most P3 PCs have one, and those are easier to setup in XP (and W2k). Great chances that by simply enable the onboard soundchip in BIOS XP will recognise it automatically. (Sometimes you need to change a jumper on the mobo on older P3).

Gameboy kid · Guest

well i have an award bios chip. heres some information on the chip(i checked with the everest home edition)

BIOS Type : Award Modular
Award BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
Award BIOS Message: (AV61S214) VIA Apollo Pro PCISet
System BIOS Date:05/29/00
Video BIOS Date:08/21/96

dosraider · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:24 am Post subject:

Says nothing.
AWARD BIOS is customisable by the motherboard manufacturor.
And if the soundchip is disabled everest won't see it.
Your motherboard manufacturor+ model would say more.
I guess you don't have the PC manual at hand?

To get a look in your BIOS:
Hit DEL whilst booting your PC and look if there isn't a 'audio device', usually in periphicals.
Don't alter anything in the BIOS if you don't know what you're doing, you could end up with a dead PC!

Or look first on the back of your PC, if there is possibility to plug in speakers/mic it has onboard soundchip. (A 3.5 mm hole with a green plastic ring is usually for speakerset).

[Edit]
Something as this:

Directly on your mobo, means it has onboard soundchip.

gaemboykid · Guest

well i have no such thing like that and i chekecd in periphels and i dont see it there. i tried looking for a bios upgrade or update and i didnt find it there either. i tried that sbawent file and it aid it coudnt find some dll file or what even though it was right there and i dont know what else to do about it.

dosraider · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:03 am Post subject:

gameboy kid · Guest

well what do ya know i got a new card from a junk yard adn i put it in the computer and it works
wonder why someone would throw this card out? oh well but it works now