Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 21 to 30 of 34

Thread: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA USA
    Beans
    115
    Distro
    Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal

    A complete installation

    I was having many problems with my configuration. I always had errors of alsamixer reporting "No file", "aplay -l" could not find an audio card, and no sound devices were installed in /etc. Driver compiling was successful, but something was missing. Finally, success!! Here is the complete process. Jaunty 9.04, Gnome, 2-channel stereo (the 5.1 channel test in Post #1 works correctly for my Front R/L speakers).

    First, do everything in Post #1. If you have problems with sound, then try this. Based on the Debian X-Fi Wiki (thank you!) with a few changes. When you run 'su', notice the prompt changes to "#". You are now root. Be careful. You can also put "sudo" in front of each command. Copy the entire line except for the "$" or "#" command prompts.

    Install the alsa-base and alsa-utils packages, along with necessary compilation packages:
    $ su
    # aptitude install alsa-base alsa-utils build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r)
    Unload any currently loaded ALSA drivers:
    # alsa unload
    If previously installed, remove the alsa-modules-* package (built from alsa-source) from your system:
    # aptitude remove alsa-modules-$(uname -r)
    Since the script in Post #1 has already downloaded and unpacked the drivers, skip to the driver installation. First, create the sound device directories. Then, configure and compile drivers providing X-Fi device support. Note the different command line than Post #1 and you are still root:
    # cd alsa-driver-1.0.21
    # snddevices
    # ./configure --with-isapnp=no --with-cards=ctxfi,ca0106,hda-intel --with-moddir=/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/updates/alsa
    # make
    Install only the kernel modules:
    # make install-modules
    The driver should be ready to go. Now, load the ALSA driver (insert into kernel).
    # modprobe snd-ctxfi
    You should have sound. Run alsamixer to un-mute the channels. Hit "M" on each channel to mute/unmute.
    alsamixer
    Let's make some noise.
    aplay /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Noise.wav
    Configure Ubuntu to load the mixer settings at boot. From the ALSA Quick Install wiki (the filenames have specific meaning). The last line will take you out of root:
    # ln -s /etc/init.d/alsasound /etc/rcS.d/S59alsasound
    # ln -s /etc/init.d/alsasound /etc/rc1.d/K15alsasound
    # ln -s /etc/init.d/alsasound /etc/rc6.d/K15alsasound
    # exit
    Save your mixer settings, from the Comprehensive Sound Problem Solutions Guide:
    sudo alsactl store 0
    Now, configure Ubuntu to load the drivers at boot.
    sudo gedit /etc/modules
    Add the following 2 lines (the first is a comment):
    #X-fi
    snd-ctxfi
    Configure ALSA for your soundcard.
    sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
    Add the following lines. Note that I commented out the alias and options for the snd-hda-intel driver. This may not be totally correct, but it works in my configuration. Refer to the ALSA Driver Configuration Guide for the gory details.
    #added for alsa driver update
    #alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
    #options snd-hda-intel model=auto
    alias snd-card-0 snd-ctxfi
    Finally, add your login to the 'audio' group. Follow Adding the current user to the audio group in the Comprehensive Sound Problem Solutions Guide.

    One additional reference: Ubuntu's Sound Troubleshooting Guide
    Last edited by GeekGirl1; September 26th, 2009 at 08:51 PM. Reason: Correction.

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA USA
    Beans
    115
    Distro
    Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal

    Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    After I got my X-Fi driver up and running, the kernel is complaining about a version mismatch with the snd-ctxfi driver. Perhaps I missed something? Otherwise, I'll just let the warnings remain. Content of /var/log/messages:
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_ctl_add
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_ctl_add
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_new
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_new
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_card_register
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_card_register
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_card_free
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_card_free
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_lib_preallocate_pages_for_all
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_lib_preallocate_pages_for_all
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_hw_constraint_minmax
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_hw_constraint_minmax
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_ctl_new1
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_ctl_new1
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_card_new
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_lib_malloc_pages
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_lib_malloc_pages
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_lib_ioctl
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_lib_ioctl
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_lib_free_pages
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_lib_free_pages
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_ctl_notify
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_ctl_notify
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_set_ops
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_set_ops
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_device_new
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_device_new
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_hw_constraint_integer
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_hw_constraint_integer
    ctxfi: disagrees about version of symbol snd_pcm_period_elapsed
    ctxfi: Unknown symbol snd_pcm_period_elapsed

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    North Las Vegas, NV
    Beans
    61
    Distro
    Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

    Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    Personally i'd wait until the release of Ubuntu 9.10, then your card's 5.1 capability will run out of the box with no issues, i've tested the alpha personally and i can say...that it works.
    "The invention of time travel may in the future save humanity, by teaching the world to avoid the tragic mistakes of the past."
    - Dr. Eliot Sinclair

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA USA
    Beans
    115
    Distro
    Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal

    Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    Yes, it's easier to wait until 9.10. I could have also upgraded the kernel, which has the driver. However, it was a great way for me to really dig in and learn how Linux works. I posted the details so others can learn (or tell me where I went wrong ). I'll live with the warnings until 9.10.

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Kent, England
    Beans
    27
    Distro
    Ubuntu

    Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    Many thanks to lantizia for this howto. My X-fi card is working perfectly with kubuntu jaunty updated to kde4.3.2.
    I just followed your instructions line by line.
    Great work
    Cheers
    Dave

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Umeå, Sweden
    Beans
    475
    Distro
    Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal

    Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    Quote Originally Posted by Capt. Blackwood View Post
    Personally i'd wait until the release of Ubuntu 9.10, then your card's 5.1 capability will run out of the box with no issues, i've tested the alpha personally and i can say...that it works.
    Does the microphone work now as well? I was almost 100% migrated from windows to Ubuntu a couple of years ago, then I started with MMO gaming. My microphone wouldn't work with the then very basic X-Fi drivers and there was only crappy stereo sound. I would have lived with the crappy sound if I only had microphone support, but I really need Ventrilo/TeamSpeak for my raids.

    Funny how a simple thing as a microphone can turn into a dealbreaker. But I'm currently running Windows 7 RC that keeps crashing at random occasions, so would love to get back to my stable and secure linux, but would be nice to know if the microphone has been fixed yet? I'd rather crash and have viruses than be gagged.
    Just trying to help...

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Beans
    3

    Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    Wonderful..It just worked like a breeze..I have been working for so long and was unable to get it to work...

    The Linux World is just Amazing

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Beans
    1

    Wink Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    Wow, this sounds almost too good to be true!

    I had everything, including upgrading my left-over iTunes DRM music to Non-DRM to switch to Ubuntu in mid-october with 9.04........and as expected, the stopping point was my X-Fi Fatality PCIE Card, I used the Optical Out (Passthrough) to my Reciver, and even with headphones on the Analog connections, I could get no sound!

    But by the sounds of several posts, X-Fi Fatality is a high-chance of working out of the Box now......with Optical Out?

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Umeå, Sweden
    Beans
    475
    Distro
    Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal

    Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    Quote Originally Posted by NerdRacer View Post
    But by the sounds of several posts, X-Fi Fatality is a high-chance of working out of the Box now......with Optical Out?
    Well, out of the box stereo. To get 5.1 you have to fiddle around a bit, but it's not difficult at all. Just install alsa-mixer and pull a few levers around.

    Optical out... I spoke to a guy at work the other day who said he had opened a stream to get the sound digital through to his reciever. As I understood, he got it to work. But I also assume this requires quite a bit of fiddling around and a lot more advanced fiddling than just pulling a few levers.
    Just trying to help...

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Suzhou, China
    Beans
    63
    Distro
    Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin

    Re: HOWTO: Install and use a Creative X-Fi card with full 5.1 support

    Hey, i'm a x-fi xtreme card on Ubuntu 10.04, I tried to follow post #1 but when I get to ./configer and make ect in terminal it says no such file or directory. Been trying to get sound all day now!

Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •