Sound Blaster PCI128 = Kaput...need new card

[MusicallyInspired]

I have a Pentium II 400mhz with Win98SE and I tried installing the only DOS-compatible sound card I had left; the Sound Blaster PCI128. For some reason, however, after the drivers are installed no sound comes out of the line output. I've tried many different drivers all which don't even install saying that it doesn't detect any Sound Blaster hardware. The only drivers that work are the ones from the CD. It's strange because the volume levels jump in volume control when sound is supposed to be being played but there's no sound through the speakers. Speakers ARE on and turned way up...just nothing. Also when you change the volume of WAV and Synthesizer in the volume control the system slows down dramatically until you let go of the mouse button. I'm not sure what's wrong, but I don't think the card works anymore. PCI128 cards suck anyway. The adlib emulation is the worst I've ever heard and it sucks up conventional memory badly. My only other alternative is an Audigy 2 card which isn't DOS compatible at all.

So I was wondering if anyone has any old sound cards that are DOS compatible that they aren't using and wouldn't mind giving away. I know the chances are slim but I just don't have any money to spend right now, otherwise I'd be looking on ebay.

Or if you have help with my dilemma I'll take what I can get .

[Tom]

I should have something around that you can have.  I'll take a look when I get home from work tonight ... err, or in the morning after I deal with the snowfall.

[MusicallyInspired]

Thanks, Tom, I appreciate it!

Actually, I've found out, however, that this card isn't in fact a PCI128 like the place we bought it from led us to believe. It is in fact a PCI64. Though they gave us PCI128 CD drivers and everything. I've had this card for 10 years or so and I just found this out now! I have tried PCI64 drivers but it's still not working so I could still use another card, if it's not too much trouble.

[Tom]

Guess I should ask before continuing...

Are you talking about only a PCI card?  I have two Sound Blaster ISA cards:  AWE32 (CT3900) and AWE64 (CT6400) available.  No PCI cards other than what I'm using in my PC's.

[MusicallyInspired]

ISA is fine. It would probably work better than a DOS Compatible PCI card anyway .

Which would you say is better? The Awe32 or Awe64? I've never owned an AWE card and I know a lot of people have mixed feelings towards them. What's the differences anyway? Do they both support wavetable and OPL2/3?

EDIT: Actually doing a bit of researching on the specs between the two and I think I'll get the AWE32. Is there any extra RAM on it already?

[BlueMax]

I suppose 30-pin RAM is getting hard to find... a pair of 4MB's would be just what you need! 

Of course, you'll only need the ram for one or two things; soundfonts (which even 8MB is just not enough for, really...) or tracker music.

Don't worry about the RAM, as the games don't use it.  (Am I right there?)

[Tom]

I believe my AWE32 has two 4MB chips attached, but I'm not sure it ever worked properly.  I don't remember ever having a need for them, either.

[mace]

I believe my AWE32 has two 4MB chips attached, but I'm not sure it ever worked properly.  I don't remember ever having a need for them, either.

There is a program that checks the ram, it's DIAGNOSE I believe.
If you have the 4MB you can load up bigger soundfonts and make the synth sound better, agreed, you won't absolutely need it but it won't hurt either.