No 3D Sound

[Joalphski]

Ok, this has messed with me before and it has returned even worse than before. I've reinstalled it (Dangerous Waters) about twice now and it says cannot create 3D sound. Performance degredation possible. ALL the other sounds work, but the 3D sound (the best IMO) doesn't work. D: It also says it created -1 3D sound buffers. How the heck do you create negative sound? :huh::huh::huh: Well, if you've got a solution I'd like to hear it. It's funny that this same event happened to me almost exactly a year ago and I fixed it by reinstalling. I tried it twice so far, but no cigar. 3rd times the charm maybe if all else fails? :-? I tried to update my sound driver, but I don't think it's free so I can't. I really don't think that's the problem though cause how else can I successfully run Silent Hunter 4? :hmm2: I'm goint to try reinstalling it one more time, then I'll report result. All luck be with me!!!! :rotfl2:

[Joalphski]

Looks like the third time is not the charm. Ok, work your magic smart, all-knowing Subsim community! Lose your knowledge upon me!!!! :know::know::know: We can get this done so long as people are willing to help, and sadly not all the world is willing to do that. Help a guy out eh? I'd do it for you. :shucks: You have no idea how long it's been since I've heard the sound of a missile in flight. I swear, I miss that sound so much. :lurk:
By the way, this "smile" is awesome. I love this. (Not really a smile I know, but it's still amazing to look at!)

[Hinrich Schwab]

What are your system specs and, specifically, what type of sound card do you have? As far as 3D sound goes, it is primarily looking for Creative EAX (I think) for the 3D sound, so most people will have some sort of fake error message. However, the "-1" buffers tells me that there is either a problem with your sound card or, most likely, the driver.

[Joalphski]

Ooooh boy the whole system specks thing. Only thing I know is my sound driver. It's SoundMAX. Sadly, I don't know how to update it, and if there is a free update I'll get it immediatley. It's funny how it used to work totally fine. You just never understand technology sometime. All my other hardware works fine, just not the 3D sound in that particular game which tells me, just as you said, it must be the driver or sound card. I know that sound cards cost, and why on earth would I buy a sound card if I can already run games like SH4? It's not my highest priority to fix this game at the moment, but when I can get around to it I'll update. Do you happen to know by chance where I can find a legal, free update for the SoundMAX driver? Thanks for your help, and I'm looking forward to more replies. If it goes a week without anything, close thread please. Nothing stinks more than no replies for a week.

[Joalphski]

Yep. Lock her up. Ok, so all I have to do now is update my driver and I might be set. Thanks for your help anyway. I appreciate it.