How to Install a Sound Card

This document will take you through the process of installing a sound card into your system. We are using a Creative Labs SoundBlaster / Vibra 16 as the default sound card. You will need to consult the documentation that comes with your sound card for specifics.

Changing the Hardware Settings

Most sound cards today have software to change the system settings (IRQ, Address, DMA Channels, etc.). The only setting you may have to change are if you plan to use the card to control a CD-ROM. If you do plan to do this, you will need to set the harware manually. Most CD-ROMS will operate fine wit the defaults, but it is best to check now before the hardware is installed.

To determine which IRQ to use, please consult the Info Sheet on Resolving IRQ conflicts. If describes what your options are. SoundBlasters usually default to IRQ 5. Your software will scan the channel just to make sure it is available.

Installing the card

If you have a CD-ROM, it should have come with an audio cable. The ends are keyed, so it will only go in one way. This cable provides the audio signal when you listen to a music CD. If you do not have this cable, you can still listen to music through the headphone jack on the CD-ROM itself. One end plugs into the drive, and one into the card. Install this cable now.

Some sound cards also have a re-direct for the PC speaker to the sound card. If you wish to enable this feature, you will need to attach the appropriate cable now. It has 2 pins that attach to the sound card, and 4 pins that attach to the motherboard. I have used this feature, and found it a bit annoying. If you wish to do so, however, the capability is there.

Now install the card iteslf. You will need to open your case and find an open ISA slot. Any one will do. Plug it in and be sure to screw it down. If your sound card falls out while the system is on, you may burn the card and the motherboard.

Installing the Software

This part is fairly easy. Insert the first disk and type a:install. It will do almost everything for you. All default values should work. It will tell you when you need to change disks. When it loads the Windows drivers, it will find duplicate copies ove some files. It is best to select the Backup option at this point, just to make sure your changes are not irrevocable.

If your sound card loses its configuration for any reason, you can reconfigure it by running the DIAGNOSE program in the directory you installed the software to (SB16, VIBRA16, AUDIO, etc.). This program will test your sound card and make sure you system files are accurate.

Listening to music CDs

In dos, simply run the program that came with your CD-ROM or sound card. Either or both should contain a program called CDPLAY.EXE or similar.

In Windows, you will need to load the MCI CD Audio Driver. To load this driver, click on the Control Panel icon located in the Main group. You will see another subdivision of icons. Select Drivers. On the right hand side tou will se a button that says Add. Click on this. You will then see a list of drivers to add. Select MCI CD Audio. It will then ask you to insert one of your Windows install disks. After it copies the files, the driver installation is complete. You can now use the Windows-based CD players without any problem.

Fine-tuning your system

The sound card installs the drivers very conservatively into memory. As a result, you will have less usable base memory (memory under 640K). To increase your free base memory, we recommend a utility such as MS-DOS's memmaker or Quarterdeck's QEMM. Memmaker comes with DOS 6.0 and above, and QEMM is available in almost all software stores. They will maximize your system's performance overall.