No sound under Windows XP

[Mentalor]

I'm having trouble getting sound to work in WZ2100 under Windows XP. I've got a Creative X-fi Xtreme Audio sound card using driver version 1.04.0079, OpenAL v1.1 and I've installed the WZ TRUNK-r5842 build. The game runs fine, but I get no sound what-so-ever. I don't get any sound problems in Windows or any other games.

The stderr.txt file reads...

error |000000000000: [PrintOpenALVersion] OpenAL Vendor: (null)
error |000000000000: [PrintOpenALVersion] OpenAL Version: (null)
error |000000000000: [PrintOpenALVersion] OpenAL Renderer: (null)
error |000000000000: [PrintOpenALVersion] OpenAL Extensions: (null)
error |000000000000: [sound_InitLibrary] Couldn't open audio device.
error |000000000000: [sound_Init] Cannot init sound library
error |000000000002: [cdAudio_OpenTrack] Failed creating audio stream for music/menu.ogg
error |000000017441: [rebuildSearchPath] Failed to remove path C:\Games/data/\ again
error |000000017441: [rebuildSearchPath] Failed to remove path C:\Games/share/warzone2100/\ again
error |000000000002: [cdAudio_OpenTrack] Failed creating audio stream for music/menu.ogg

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks for keeping this awesome game alive.

[Buginator]

I'm having trouble getting sound to work in WZ2100 under Windows XP. I've got a Creative X-fi Xtreme Audio sound card using driver version 1.04.0079, OpenAL v1.1 and I've installed the WZ TRUNK-r5842 build. The game runs fine, but I get no sound what-so-ever. I don't get any sound problems in Windows or any other games.

The stderr.txt file reads...

error |000000000000: [PrintOpenALVersion] OpenAL Vendor: (null)
error |000000000000: [PrintOpenALVersion] OpenAL Version: (null)
error |000000000000: [PrintOpenALVersion] OpenAL Renderer: (null)
error |000000000000: [PrintOpenALVersion] OpenAL Extensions: (null)
error |000000000000: [sound_InitLibrary] Couldn't open audio device.
error |000000000000: [sound_Init] Cannot init sound library
error |000000000002: [cdAudio_OpenTrack] Failed creating audio stream for music/menu.ogg
error |000000017441: [rebuildSearchPath] Failed to remove path C:\Games/data/\ again
error |000000017441: [rebuildSearchPath] Failed to remove path C:\Games/share/warzone2100/\ again
error |000000000002: [cdAudio_OpenTrack] Failed creating audio stream for music/menu.ogg

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks for keeping this awesome game alive.

You sure you have openAL installed?
It doesn't seem it can find any drivers for it.

Install these, and try again:
http://connect.creativelabs.com/openal/ ... alinst.zip

[Mentalor]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes I am sure OpenAL is installed (at least, it says Installation Complete once I click the OK button)...I tried the one that came with the WZ package and then also downloaded it from the Creative site before posting on the forum (though I did just try the link you posted too, just in case).

OpenAL32.dll is in the windows\system32 folder and the machine has been rebooted since installing...but still no sound.

You would have hoped a Creative sound card would work OK with some Creative software, wouldn't you.

[Mentalor]

After some more Internet trawling, I'm starting to wonder if the problem is the Xtreme Audio card...apparently its not really considered to be a true part of the X-fi family (more like the mutant cousin or something). Would the Xtreme Gamer card be more suitable? Does anyone have any other (possibly non-Creative, not too expensive) suggestions as to good gaming cards?

[Buginator]

After some more Internet trawling, I'm starting to wonder if the problem is the Xtreme Audio card...apparently its not really considered to be a true part of the X-fi family (more like the mutant cousin or something). Would the Xtreme Gamer card be more suitable? Does anyone have any other (possibly non-Creative, not too expensive) suggestions as to good gaming cards?

Hmm, it still should work though. All of Creatives cards should. Heck, even all integrated sound systems work.
Something else must be going on.

How about reinstall the soundcard drivers, not just the openAL drivers?


*edit: I saw this:

Note that the Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio edition does not feature the Game Mode. Also, the X-Fi Xtreme Audio OpenAL drivers are currently being optimized to work better with BioShock. If you have an X-Fi Xtreme Audio card, use Entertainment mode, but turn the "Use Creative EAX Audio" option to "OFF" in the game. You will see more about this option later.

from http://www.soundblaster.com/products/ga ... egoryID=13

[DFStormbringer]

im oddly enough having the EXACT same problems.. no sound what so ever.. same card as well.. creatives Xi-Fi extreme audio.. in both the beta 4 and stable versions.

was on a budget.. and got this one because even creative admited how flawed thier audigy line was. >.<

[Buginator]

I dunno what they did, but the guys who work for Creative on the openAL mailing list posted this:

Anyway, can anyone please clarify which of the cards below has native OpenAL support:

YES | NO Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
YES | NO Sound Blaster X-Fi Digital Audio
YES | NO Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
YES | NO Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
YES | NO Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
YES | NO Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
YES | NO Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty
YES | NO Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro

Yes for all X-Fi cards...

YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy LS
YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy SE
YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy ES
YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy Value!
YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value
YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy 2 SE
YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy 4
YES | NO Sound Blaster Audigy 4 SE

No for the Audigy LS, Audigy SE, Audigy Value, Audigy 2 SE -- yes for the rest. And no, there's no simple rule to figure it all out for the Audigy boards other than the general one that the least expensive cards don't have native support. Note however that even the boards without native support will support better than EAX 2 effects through the Generic Hardware device.

Perhaps fire off a e-mail to Creative technical support?
http://support.creative.com/

[DFStormbringer]

well i CAN tell you this DESPITE what Creative claims...
XiFi extreme audio.. DESPITE having config files.. and the ability to turn it on and off in its control panel.. does NOT support EAX effects.. because EVERY game i got that has an EAX setting able to be turned on .. tells me when hardware mode is activated that my current card does NOT support EAX.. battlefield 2142 is a pristine example.

[Buginator]

Can you run this program, and attach the output here?

Thanks.

You need to open a command prompt(start menu ->run->cmd.exe), and type:
(lets say you unrared it to c:\blah)
cd c:\blah
EnumerateWin32.exe Then copy & paste the output,
or do:
EnumerateWin32.exe >output.txt
and upload output.txt here.

If your doing the 2nd case, it doesn't show it is done, just hit return, and you will be back at the command prompt.

[Mentalor]

I think that soundblaster.com page is one that I ended up at. I followed its instructions, but the new (v1.04.0079) drivers don't have a Mode tab in the Audio Console. I had also seen that list of OpenAL compatible cards.

I've run EnumerateWin32...its output is as follows...

All Available OpenAL Devices

Devices available with standard ALC_ENUMERATION_EXT
===================================================
OpenAL Spec/Ext Support
# Device Name Default 1.0 1.1 EFX

0 - Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio ERROR: Doesn't open!

1 - Generic Hardware X X
2 - Generic Software X X


Devices available with ALC_ENUMERATE_ALL_EXT
============================================
OpenAL Spec/Ext Support
# Device Name Default 1.0 1.1 EFX

0 - Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio ERROR: Doesn't open!

1 - Generic Hardware on Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
X X
2 - Generic Software on Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
X X

Thanks for your help.

[MalikCarr]

I've found myself in having a similar though distinct problem. The music plays just fine, but there's no sound effects whatsoever save for an occasional machine gun ricochet. I ran that EnumerateWin32 thing posted above, here's what it tells me:

All Available OpenAL Devices

Devices available with standard ALC_ENUMERATION_EXT
===================================================
OpenAL Spec/Ext Support
# Device Name Default 1.0 1.1 EFX

0 - Generic Hardware X X X
1 - Generic Software X X


Devices available with ALC_ENUMERATE_ALL_EXT
============================================
OpenAL Spec/Ext Support
# Device Name Default 1.0 1.1 EFX

0 - Generic Hardware on Realtek AC97 Audio X X X
1 - Generic Software on Realtek AC97 Audio X X
2 - Generic Hardware on Creative SB Live! Series X X
3 - Generic Software on Creative SB Live! Series X X

Seeya.

I'm using the AC97 since the Soundblaster appears to be defunct - though Windows recognizes it's installed, Creative's driver installers tell me there's no such hardware installed on my system. I've already tried manually disabling the thing to see if maybe it's borking the audio, but no such luck.

EDIT: For what it's worth, running the non-open source old versions of WZ2100 have no audio problems at all, though they're graphically glitched pretty badly. And no, I don't have those installed concurrently, since I've read that can cause trouble.

[Buginator]

I think that soundblaster.com page is one that I ended up at. I followed its instructions, but the new (v1.04.0079) drivers don't have a Mode tab in the Audio Console. I had also seen that list of OpenAL compatible cards.

I've run EnumerateWin32...its output is as follows...

Code: Select all

All Available OpenAL Devices

Devices available with standard ALC_ENUMERATION_EXT
===================================================
                                                OpenAL Spec/Ext Support
#    Device Name                               Default  1.0   1.1   EFX
0  - Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio         ERROR: Doesn't open!
1  - Generic Hardware                                          X     X
2  - Generic Software                                          X     X

Devices available with ALC_ENUMERATE_ALL_EXT
============================================
                                                OpenAL Spec/Ext Support
#    Device Name                               Default  1.0   1.1   EFX
0  - Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio         ERROR: Doesn't open!
1  - Generic Hardware on Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
                                                               X     X
2  - Generic Software on Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
                                                               X     X

Thanks for your help.

Hmm. We are using generic, so ... I have no idea. It is a driver problem, but I don't know how to fix it.
Best you can do is contact support, and hope they can help.

[Buginator]

I've found myself in having a similar though distinct problem. The music plays just fine, but there's no sound effects whatsoever save for an occasional machine gun ricochet. I ran that EnumerateWin32 thing posted above, here's what it tells me:

Code: Select all

All Available OpenAL Devices
Devices available with standard ALC_ENUMERATION_EXT
===================================================
                                                OpenAL Spec/Ext Support
#    Device Name                               Default  1.0   1.1   EFX
0  - Generic Hardware                           X              X     X    
1  - Generic Software                                          X     X    
Devices available with ALC_ENUMERATE_ALL_EXT
============================================
                                                OpenAL Spec/Ext Support
#    Device Name                               Default  1.0   1.1   EFX
0  - Generic Hardware on Realtek AC97 Audio     X              X     X    
1  - Generic Software on Realtek AC97 Audio                    X     X    
2  - Generic Hardware on Creative SB Live! Series            X     X    
3  - Generic Software on Creative SB Live! Series             X     X    
Seeya.

I'm using the AC97 since the Soundblaster appears to be defunct - though Windows recognizes it's installed, Creative's driver installers tell me there's no such hardware installed on my system. I've already tried manually disabling the thing to see if maybe it's borking the audio, but no such luck.

EDIT: For what it's worth, running the non-open source old versions of WZ2100 have no audio problems at all, though they're graphically glitched pretty badly. And no, I don't have those installed concurrently, since I've read that can cause trouble.

Have you tried to remove the SB live card? Or updating your Realtek drivers?
Which version of warzone have you tried?

The 1.10 version of warzone used directsound. OpenAL can use directsound as well....

On the Windows platform, Creative Labs provides three different OpenAL playback devices. Firstly, there is a native device that ships with soundcards such as the Sound Blaster Audigy® and Sound Blaster X-Fi™ series of cards. The native device communicates directly with the drivers of the soundcard and offers the best performance, quality and feature set of all the OpenAL devices. Secondly, there is a device known as Generic Hardware which uses DirectSound 3D hardware buffers to enable hardware acceleration of OpenAL on soundcards that don't have their own native devices. Finally, there is a Generic Software device that uses a built-in software mixer to output a single audio stream to a DirectSound Buffer.

[MalikCarr]

My AC97 is fully updated (newest drivers were released in 2004 - lol), though I have not tried to manually pluck the dumb SB out of my case. I'll certainly give that a try and see what happens.

Regarding the open-source versions of WZ2100, I've tried both the current stable beta and the newest testing release with 100% identical symptoms.

I'm not very familiar with OpenAL's faculties (only used it for Freespace 2 up to now, and yes, I already tried nuking that manually and installing the version packed with WZ2100), but it sounds like I need it to be outputting in directsound from what your quote tells me. Could you explain what I need to do to achieve that output?

[Buginator]

My AC97 is fully updated (newest drivers were released in 2004 - lol), though I have not tried to manually pluck the dumb SB out of my case. I'll certainly give that a try and see what happens.

'04? Why not get the '08 ones?
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/dow ... Down=false
Windows 98Gold/98se/Me/2000/XP/2003(32/64 bits) for Driver only. A4.05 2008/8/12 18277k

Regarding the open-source versions of WZ2100, I've tried both the current stable beta and the newest testing release with 100% identical symptoms.

I'm not very familiar with OpenAL's faculties (only used it for Freespace 2 up to now, and yes, I already tried nuking that manually and installing the version packed with WZ2100), but it sounds like I need it to be outputting in directsound from what your quote tells me. Could you explain what I need to do to achieve that output?

The quote means that openAL itself should fallback to whatever is available.
Try updating your drivers, and see if it helps.