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Kizzume · Mar 31, 2008, 05:29 pm

They have purposely crippled their drivers for their audio cards for Vista so people have to buy new cards in several months that are FULLY Vista compatible. Crippled on purpose.

Then when someone makes 3rd party fixes to the drivers, Creative Labs decides to go after him for it because of Intellectual Property rights.

Here's their 200 page thread on their support forum.
Message to Daniel_K - Sound Blaster - Creative Labs

Here are a bunch of news articles about it:
creative drivers vista daniel_k - Google News

They have had driver issues for quite a while, forcing people to install a bunch of crap just to get basic functionality, but they never CRIPPLED the drivers on purpose before. This issue is really hurting them. Their stocks today have already dropped 4%. People are boycotting them, and some people are trying to see if a class action lawsuit can be made against them for falsely advertising their cards as "Vista ready".

**Jack** · Mar 31, 2008, 05:53 pm

The "Vista Ready" versus "Vista Compatible" issue has been ongoing and as far as I know still isn't really resolved. MS is trying to please the vendors on one hand while pleasing the big-box retailers on the other. It's a situation in which the consumer isn't even a factor.

Rainbow · Mar 31, 2008, 07:04 pm

If I want to listen to music and/or watch some films, I turn my stereo system and enjoy it.

I am running WindowsVista, right now. I very rarely use a computer for the real Sound&Vision purposes, for the following reason :
- computer hardware can Not match the real stereo system.

What is so important with CreativeLabs drivers for WindowsVista ?
CreativeLabs wants guys to grab new hardware, instead of releasing adequate software ?
They sux, as many other computer business companies. All they want is :
- money :-)

Muckraker · Apr 1, 2008, 12:02 am

Creative Labs has always been annoying but, unfortunately, there are few options for PC enthusiasts.

I remember a couple years ago that I couldn't download drivers. All I could download was "driver updates" which required the original driver CD. Not sure if that has changed but it was really annoying. It was also annoying that I had to pull the card out of my computer to recall which exact model number I had. Considering graphic drivers are all in one file you would think they could do better than that.

**Jack** · Apr 1, 2008, 10:15 am

Quote:

I remember a couple years ago that I couldn't download drivers. All I could download was "driver updates" which required the original driver CD. Not sure if that has changed but it was really annoying.

Most companies now allow driver downloading, but a few still require that you register your device first. The advantage to that is once you've registered your hardware, you only have to log in to re-download the drivers, you don't have to remember what you have.
To keep track of what's on your Windows system, I recommend Belarc Advisor. Print out a copy of the HTML page it creates and you have a hard copy of all the hardware, software and license keys on your system. Very handy if you ever have to call tech support or search for drivers.

**Jack** · Apr 1, 2008, 12:01 pm

Check this out: http://dbzer0.com/wp-content/uploads...ative_fail.png

Rainbow · Apr 3, 2008, 09:37 pm

It appears that CreativeLabs' representatives have changed their mind.
They accept some modifications to un-officially released drivers, now.

Mar 31, 2008, 05:29 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
Kizzume Weirdo Location: Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 121	Creative Labs messsed up pretty badly! They have purposely crippled their drivers for their audio cards for Vista so people have to buy new cards in several months that are FULLY Vista compatible. Crippled on purpose. Then when someone makes 3rd party fixes to the drivers, Creative Labs decides to go after him for it because of Intellectual Property rights. Here's their 200 page thread on their support forum. Message to Daniel_K - Sound Blaster - Creative Labs Here are a bunch of news articles about it: creative drivers vista daniel_k - Google News They have had driver issues for quite a while, forcing people to install a bunch of crap just to get basic functionality, but they never CRIPPLED the drivers on purpose before. This issue is really hurting them. Their stocks today have already dropped 4%. People are boycotting them, and some people are trying to see if a class action lawsuit can be made against them for falsely advertising their cards as "Vista ready". http://www.kizzume.com http://www.kizzumeforum.com

Mar 31, 2008, 05:53 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 13,000	The "Vista Ready" versus "Vista Compatible" issue has been ongoing and as far as I know still isn't really resolved. MS is trying to please the vendors on one hand while pleasing the big-box retailers on the other. It's a situation in which the consumer isn't even a factor. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Apr 1, 2008, 12:01 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 13,000	Check this out: http://dbzer0.com/wp-content/uploads...ative_fail.png The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Mar 31, 2008, 07:04 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Rainbow Volcanic Erupter Posts: 3,066	If I want to listen to music and/or watch some films, I turn my stereo system and enjoy it. I am running WindowsVista, right now. I very rarely use a computer for the real Sound&Vision purposes, for the following reason : - computer hardware can Not match the real stereo system. What is so important with CreativeLabs drivers for WindowsVista ? CreativeLabs wants guys to grab new hardware, instead of releasing adequate software ? They sux, as many other computer business companies. All they want is : - money :-)

Apr 1, 2008, 12:02 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Muckraker Igneous Magma Posts: 350	Creative Labs has always been annoying but, unfortunately, there are few options for PC enthusiasts. I remember a couple years ago that I couldn't download drivers. All I could download was "driver updates" which required the original driver CD. Not sure if that has changed but it was really annoying. It was also annoying that I had to pull the card out of my computer to recall which exact model number I had. Considering graphic drivers are all in one file you would think they could do better than that.

Apr 3, 2008, 09:37 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
Rainbow Volcanic Erupter Posts: 3,066	It appears that CreativeLabs' representatives have changed their mind. They accept some modifications to un-officially released drivers, now.