damn, Freedom - sorry to hear things went to hell in a handbasket so quickly . . .
there might still be some hope, though . . . it sounds to me like something was corrupted during an install somewhere down the line, perhaps with the latest software installation, perhaps earlier and is only now cropping up. You've got 2 options you can try:
1) You can attempt a system restore. WIN creates a resotre point prior to any driver or software installation, so as long as you haven't disabled the System restore service, you can give that a shot. Just select the point that should be labeled to identify the installation of the console launcher. Flip side to this, though, is a restore isn't always a 100% sure deal to a fix. Some issues might still be present after a restore, might not - it's worth the shot, though.
2) Your other option would be to do a "clean installation" - it will completely remove all Creative drivers, software, folders, etc from the system. It's fairly involved though, but if you're up for it . . .
First, you'll need the most recent X-Fi driver package (
2.18.004), and the Console Launcher
prior to the most recent version (you can get the last version, 2.60.27, here:
http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/Other-DRIVERS-TOOLS/Others/Creative-Console-Launcher-26027.shtml), also download and install Driver Sweeper, and a good registry cleaner if you don't already have one (prefereablly one that will backup your registry before removing errors - i.e. RegistryFix). Next up, open Windows Explorer, and navigate to
C:\Program Files\Creative\Sound Blaster X-Fi\Program\, then run the
setup.exe application. In the window that pops up, make sure the "WDM drivers" option is selected, select the "driver uninstallation" option, make sure "delete all Creative audio driver files" is selected and hit 'OK.' After that program has finished running, don't reboot yet. Before rebooting, open WIN Add & Remove Programs, and remove any Creative software that might still be listed. Once that's done, reboot the rig. Right after POST, and before OS bootup, press F8 to enter the WIN OS boot selection menu, select
Safe Mode, and boot into WIN. Once in safe mode, run driver sweeper, and have it remove whatever Creative drivers, files or folders it can - you might need to have it run a couple of times to clear everything out. Don't let it reboot yet, though. Open your registry cleaner, and let it scan. Whatever errors that pops up with, you can either let it clean them all, or manually go through the list and have it clean anything related to Creative files and folders. Once that is done, turn the rig off, and remove the X-Fi from it's slot. Boot up the rig and let WIN get to the desktop, then shut the system back down. Install the X-Fi and boot up. When the Add New Hardware wizard starts pestering you, close it out.
Go ahead and run the 2.18.004 driver installation package, that should have the audio console and volume panel bundled with it. At this point, install the 2.60.27 console launcher. Everything should be peachy (hopefully) from this point.
It's entirelly up to you, though, if you're willing to risk installing the 2.60.29 console launcher. TBH, though, if the current setup is working fine, don't worry about it just yet.
I've been really considering switching to linux but the lack of sound support really drives me nuts...and I _never_ have only one program open at a time... that and I've got my windows media player set up to automatically download video codecs so it will play any format. I even went out and bought a linux for dummies book lol
its just the same one as before - & im currently looking for the new volume panel in the driver executable just to make sure....
So, I'm happy to find you, dude...