Ever since installing Windows 7 Home Premium,I completely lost my 5.1 channel support on my Sound Blaster Extreme Music. This sucks because I just bought that $90 Tritton headset. I've installed all compatible drivers from creative, and my only hope now is a 3rd party driver... but it's not a driver. It's a fuckload of folders.

Trend Micro Internet Security is, in my opinion, the best. It's non-invasive, a license is only $50 and you can add as many users as you wish and manage who has access and who doesn't.

This also means you could give a copy to all your friends (legal) and rotate who pays for it each year, or just split it, I mean, you got four people, that's $12.50 a year per person. There is no license limit.

They also have more heavy duty suites, but they're really meant for corporate networks, not really needed for personal computers.

Don't buy things from Creative Labs. Their audio processors aren't really that much better than RealTek or VIA which are built into your motherboards. The company, also, is incredibly unethical, they have entire divisions dedicated to patenting game algorithms that other people have come up with. (If you think that's okay, you're a terrible person)

In any case, the drivers are located here: http://support.creative.com/Products/Pr ... tegoryID:1

Try again? If it doesn't have any sort of install, you might have to do it manually, which can be done from the device manager. Right click and goto properties on the card in device manager and then say update driver. You should be able to browse the computer for it, go to the directories it listed ... HOWEVER, I suggest you redownload the driver from the link before doing this!

The card is actually a hand-me-down from my dad. He got something new and gave it to me when I built my new computer. I'll try some older drivers first, then the 3rd party. That was the issue with my Graphics Card. That reminds me, I need a new one. 16 average fps or something else terrible on the unigine heaven benchmark...

Buying anti-virus programs?

If I were you, use this. http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

Most free anti-virus programs SUCK, however. This one is amazing, I've had it for almost 2 years now and it has kept every virus at bay since. And if you really like the product, you can just buy the upgraded version for about 30 or so bucks.

Spybot and avast anti-spyware is all I use

People have a common misconception that just because some AV says your system's clean or there's no immediately noticeable wonkyness that their system is in fact clean. I've even had someone exclaim that their system is clean, and they don't need AV to prove it.

No AV keeps everything out. Trend Micro is the best I've found. (It's more than AV, to note, it handles adware and has a solid software firewall that works)

Those sound like the same mouthbreathers that I deal with on my spare time that think that just because they installed a anti-malware program they don't need to update or even scan so they'll go on porn sites and download TONS of garbage regardless of what they will get.

Still I like Trend Micro and I also use SpyBot, Avast and MalwareBytes and I haven't had any serious problems. Actually MalwareBytes is the fastest of the 3 and usually does a complete system scan in 30 minutes or less and that's on a 1TB hard drive.

I interned at Trend Micro so I agree with Crono.


However, I use Nod32; lightweight, efficient, effective.

I use free version of avast, superantispyware, and malwarebytes.

I know its probably not the most secure, but it gets the job done and makes me feel semi secure, I do tend to worry about it from time to time ( I worry about everything ) but try and push it out of my mind as quickly as it came in.

I was thinking about trying out the pay version of kaspersky as I have heard its pretty great, but from what everyone here has said I might check out trend micro.

I think I should upgrade my GPU soon, but I'm constrained by what I can get both by money and power, and I'd rather not get another PSU.
Right now I have a Nvidia GeForce GT 240 by XFX which is... Ok. Just Ok.
I know I can't go too much higher end than that, just because of the limitations of my motherboard and processor.

I'll post my specs and if anyone that's better at computers than I am has any suggestions, please post them or pm me.

The issue is you got a GeForce x4xx processor. You shouldn't go below 6 in nVidia land. They're not really meant for games ... the majority of shader cores are actually missing. A 240, is pretty much, meant for a system that can do HD video and some 3D stuff.

I just bought a EVGA GeForce GTX460 SC 1GB and it rocks. It's got a recommended power supply of 450W and it runs pretty cool (L4D2 maxed all settings, 50% fan speed 41C max) Also, EVGA, lifetime warranties. OH, you want an EE card. (external exhaust). The card is $200 USD right now (about) and comes with a steam copy of Mafia 2.

There's also the 560Ti, which does perform better than the 460, but it's pretty similar, and uses more power (500W recommended) and is $50 more.

Don't waste your money on a 465.

Something you can do, to note, is check the power consumption ratings on all your devices and figure out how much peak power you system actually uses. Cross reference that with the power consumption reported with the card you want and you'll have a more accurate wattage rating than what the manufacture guesses will be in your system.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130568

To note, it sounds like your motherboard has a PCI-E 2.0 slot, there's really no limit to the GPU you can put in there. I'm using that 460 with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ processor. So, there's not really a limit on the CPU either. Considering you have a quad core processor ... you shouldn't worry about it so much. Your main concern, really, is power.

BROFIST

I'm going to have to get a new PSU for both of those cards, Crono.
I trust your judgement though, and i think I'll go for the 460 unless I find a sweet deal on a PSU that will allow funds for the 560.

Well ... what I'd say is if you do get another power supply, go for the one you'd want in your next system so you'll save some cash in the long run, that includes plenty of extra power (Personally, I'd go up to about 850-900W, you want enough power for future upgrades, but also don't want the system to be below 30% load for the supply, it'll just be really inefficient)

Power supplies are about $100-$120 for one that you should think about getting. (Honestly, getting a shoddy power supply shouldn't be an option. It'll risk all your system components) And a 460 (since I rechecked) is actually $220 with a $30 mail in rebate and the 560 is $250 ... so that's like $370 vs. $190 for 10fps difference. (Not including shipping)

As for power consumption ... while you should stay below their draw amounts, most quality power supplies can actually draw more than their rating stably, not that you should count on it. In terms of the GPU, the most important aspect is actually the current on the 12v rails.

I'm not good with computers, I just know how to list things ;_;
Oh, and I'll get the 460 then I guess?

Sorry, bro, let me explain.

A few years ago they found the current that graphics cards (and CPUs) started requiring were very unstable to be pulled through their normal sockets. Those lines just aren't made for you know 20Amps. And it caused systems to outright fry.

So they introduced a new dedicated rail system they're 12v dedicated rails so that these devices could pull the power they need. That's where the addition power hook ups come from on your mother board and the video card. I'm sure you notice the 4 pin CPU connector you have to connect to your motherboard (might be 8 now) and there's 6 pin PCI-E connectors. That's what these things are for.

The important thing you need to worry about is to ensure that your power supply can supply the proper current (amps) over +12V connections. If it can't EVEN if the wattage is correct, you could burn out components in your system.

Alright, now I understand. Mostly. I don't want to hog the thread, so I'll stop asking questions. Thanks, Crono.

Hey everyone as of late when ever I try to play a PC game the sound will come on but it just like flashes white then grey then a bunch of different coulored bars.
I am worryed anyone know what to do? I have windows 7 And all the games that dont work I have played on my pc before.