System hangs with new SoundBlaster Live 5.1

I recently bought a Logitech Z-640 5.1 speaker set and a SoundBlaster Live (not platinum) to go with it. After installing them, however, the system hangs.

These are very hard hangs--the computer only responds to the reset button, and an eight-second hold of the power button. The amount of time before it hangs varies; it happens very quickly if Winamp is playing, and within fifteen minutes or so if you're doing other stuff. Even when it's left alone, it hangs within an hour or so.


Other Important Specs:
Motherboard: IWill K266 (not Plus)
CPU: AMD Athlon 800
RAM: 320MB SDRAM
OS: Windows 2000 SP4

[Jason425]

well it obviously has nothing to do with the speakers, i suspect an irq conflict.. i've actually never had a prob with irq's so i don't know how to fix it.. hopefully someone else can help you through it.

...i suspect an irq conflict..Windows doesn't report any problems of that sort. Of course, it's Windows we're talking about...

[Brent Dax]

A few more details: when it decides to hang, the first thing that happens is that a tone comes out of all the speakers. This lasts for several seconds. If Winamp is running, all the bars on the little meter freeze in place. The mouse remains responsive while this is happening (I haven't tried the keyboard). Eventually the sound stops and the mouse freezes. This does not occur when the card isn't in the computer.

I've also tried installing updated drivers and putting the card in a different PCI slot. Neither helped.

(And yes, I'm the guest poster above. I didn't intend to post as a guest--sorry.)

[Jason425]

hmm.. have all windows updates, no viruses? (Just guessing, i figure that if you fix enough things you'll fix the problem.)

[vee_ess]

Make sure you have proper drivers for the sound card. Also, you might consider re-formatting your drive so as to make sure you have a clean set up of the card.

[eviltechie]

i suspect driver too

and yes, do a windows update
very important nowadays for multimedia accessories