X-fi XtremeMusic drivers not install

Question

Hello everyone,
I just bought myself an XtremeMusic. My system is:
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium English 32-bit OEM
MB: EVGA nForce 680i SLI
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 @ 2 x 3.0 GHz
GPU: EVGA e-GeForce 8800GT Superclocked Edition
RAM: 2 x GB OCZ Dual-Channel DDR2 PC2-8500 SLI-Ready Memory
HD: Maxtor 60 GB SATA II
I removed my old sound card, an Audigy 2 Value (Value is right, great card!), along with all the software (Audio Console was the only one) and ran a registry cleaner and the DriverHeaven Driver Cleaner (Creative + Creative Lite removal). Turned off my PC, switched cards, powered on, got a message from Windows prompting me for a driver, cancelled that (like it says in the Quick Start guide). I entered the included X-fi installation CD, but got an error message saying that this OS wasn't supported for this driver set. Fine, I thought, new OS, needs newer drivers, I'll get 'em from the Creative website.
And so I did. I tried both the 2.5.0004 [color="#000000"]and 2.5.0006 [color="#000000"]drivers. Both of them install the console and presumably some drivers that Windows needs to pick up later for itself. After the install it prompts me for a reboot, which I do. After the reboot is where things go awry.
[color="#000000"]Windows notifies me that there's a new device (Multimedia Audio Controller) and it needs drivers (it can't find them so doesn't install them automatically, I assume). It searches Windows Update and the entire HD with no luck. It asks me to insert the installation CD, which as expected doesn't work either. My last option is to designate a folder (and subfolders) to search for the drivers. At this point I've extracted the downloaded .exe file with WinRAR and pointed Windows there. No luck with either installer respecti'vely.
Can anyone give me a hand?
Thanks,
Mark
Message Edited by TehDarkwater on 03-6-2008 0:39 AM

Answer 1

Thanks for the quick reply, freesky.
I followed your steps, but after installing the Creative bundle from the CD and rebooting, Windows still prompts me for drivers for the device and the AutoUpdate program gives me this message.
"Creative Software AutoUpdate was unable to detect any Creative products attached to your computer."
So Windows is still not 'taking the bait' as far as the drivers go. I have a feeling something's wrong with the card itself. What do you think?
EDIT: My brother has the same sound card on his PC (XP). I've swapped cards, PCs and software and can safely say it's the card's fault for not working. Back to the store with this one.
Message Edited by TehDarkwater on 03-7-2008 03:56 PM