Download SoundMAX
 

Swapped a motherboard recently - and am now getting (at boot up) a message saying...

Audio components have changed - you must re-install soundMAX.

I don't remember installing it in the first place - so guess it came either with the OS (Vista Ultimate 64 bit) or the motherboard. Wasn't me though, I didn't do it.

I've tried a search of "SoundMAX" but all attempts to find a website (by them) or a safe looking download of the driver (I'm *assuming* that "SoundMAX" *is* a driver) have proved fruitless.

I also seem to come across various "models" of driver - how is a guy supposed to pick?

It's onboard sound, works through the cpu as opposed to a separate sound card. Their website's not helpful, but to get a handle on what you need, try start/RIGHT CLICK computer/manage & select device manager from the dialogue box & then look for sound & audio devices from the list - if the pc recognises it, it will be listed in detail there.

That should guide you in your search for a driver. Alternatively you can use the update driver option from device manager & tell shyster - sorry-Vista to search automatically for a new driver I.e. online. In my experience that works quite well & certainly worth a try.

Yup, per Parapunter.

My ASUS P5N32-SLI motherboard came with SoundMax on board and I too had to reinstall the drivers after a rebuild, but in my case it was very easy to do so as I had been supplied with a CD that contained the drivers.

I will say though that for the small cost involved (I paid about £15 from memory via a web store) installing a Soundblaster Audigy SE sound card was a smart move. Much better, I can now "record what I hear" (which my version of SoundMax didn't support but I wanted so that I can record internet radio shows for playback on my long haul flights) and the dolby surround is actually stable and well defined now which it never was with SoundMax. Although the PC's CPU isn't short of horsepower I won't complain that it's now got one job less to do, either.

For the record I have left SoundMax physically installed (in my case at least it came as a small circuit board mounted on the motherboard) but have disabled it in the Hardware options as well as in the BIOS.

I would agree with XV that a soundcard is nearly always a better option as they are more controlable - the software is better & give much higher fidelity. It comes down to the value you place on sound quality really.

Beware though, adding any product from Creative into a Vista system. There are driver issues with them, particularly on the Audigy & Xfi range, which while surmountable, have had creative users baying at Creative on the user forum.