Byron and all interested, I have some GOOD, if not confusing, news! Byron
had reported with disappointment that his new Dell 330 only scored a paltry
61 with the WL sbrdchk program. Based on that report, I decided to order
mine with the Soundblaster Live Value PCI card installed. Of course, the SB
Live scored the expected 7f.
Last night I enabled the Integrated Sound in the Setup menu during boot (F2)
and DISabled the SB Live. When I ran sbrdchk, I still got 7f. However, WL
was still using the SB Live - I knew this for sure because my rig audio was
still plugged into that card and I could see/print the audio in Rttyrite. I
couldn't figure out at the time how to point Writelog to the Integrated
sound.
Then tonight I PHYSICALLY REMOVED the Soundblaster Live from the computer
and enabled the Integrated sound. The Soundblaster mixer is no longer
listed in the Device Manager. When I ran sbrdchk, I got 7f - FULL SUPPORT!
This is using WIN2000(SP2). I know Byron used WIN2000 - not sure about the
Service Pack, but that's probably not the difference between the sbrdchk
scores. I also have IE6 and OE6 installed on this machine now, FWIW.
Using the Integrated Sound, Writelog receives and prints just as would be
expected, EXCEPT: If I hit alt-K or click in the ENTRY or Rttyrite windows,
the sound mixer switched the Recording Properties from LINE IN to CD
Playback! I can transmit OK, but as soon as the transmit is finished, I
have no audio until I click the Recording Properties back from CD Audio to
LINE IN! Anyone know how to make it stop that?! Otherwise it's fine!
I will modify my sound card survey results page to reflect my experience,
but I will leave Byron's post there until/unless he can report later
results. http://www.qsl.net/wa9als/sound_results.htm
I know there's some info on K9JY's site about pointing WL to a specific
soundcard, but I don't quite understand it. If someone thinks they might
know how to point Writelog to the Integrated Sound -and- to the SB Live card
so that both sides of the contest exchange can be recorded, please let me
know. I know that some are doing that with 2 PCI cards, but I'm not sure
about a combination of Integrated and PCI.
Thanks - hope this helps someone. The 330 is a great machine - especially
with the Matrox Dual Head monitor card and 2 monitors! 73 - John (WA9ALS)
--
WWW: http://www.writelog.com/
Submissions: writelog@contesting.com
Administrative requests: writelog-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-writelog@contesting.com
|