Troubleshooting and Common Questions

Common Questions

Configuration Problems

Joystick Problems

 

Common Questions  


Does the Monster Sound come with a controller for my CD-ROM?
No, there is no CD-ROM ribbon-cable interface on the Monster Sound card. However, you may be able to use one of the following devices to control your CD-ROM drive, depending on the type of interface:
Will Windows 3.1 drivers be available?
No, Monster Sound only supports the Windows 95/98 operating system. The DirectSound and DirectSound3D APIs that the Monster Sound was designed to accelerate are not compatible with Windows 3.1.

Will Windows NT drivers be available?
Yes, there are currently plans to develop Windows NT 5.0 drivers, although no delivery date has been scheduled. Since hardware acceleration for DirectSound is not supported by NT 4.0, there is no planned support for that operating system.

What is the advantage of PCI audio over ISA audio?
Using the PCI bus gives the Monster Sound increased data throughput, allowing it to process multiple streams of audio on the Monster Sound card. ISA-bus cards typically support only one hardware audio stream and must rely on the system CPU to process and mix all audio onto this hardware stream. This processing can consume precious CPU bandwidth and dramatically slow down game play.

What is the difference between DirectSound compatibility and DirectSound acceleration?
DirectSound compatibility only assures that a sound device will operate with DirectSound. DirectSound acceleration actually off-loads the processing from the CPU, allowing it to more quickly process other calculations and greatly accelerate overall system performance. Monster Sound is a DirectSound accelerator.

What makes A3D positional audio unique?
A3D positional audio does not simply provide an expanded stereo effect as other technologies have done in the past. A3D provides a truly interactive 3D effect, where the positioning of sounds along the X,Y and Z axes responds to your input, allowing you to move and react to sounds in a 3D gaming environment.

Can I use the wavetable daughterboard on my existing sound card to play MIDI files?
Yes, if you prefer to use a wavetable other than the one shipped with the Monster Sound there are two options:
  1. If you have retained your legacy sound card, select the Multimedia icon in the Windows Control Panel. Choose the MIDI tab to select the primary "MIDI output" device, which will allow you to select the desired wavetable.
  2. Alternatively, Monster Sound has an industry-standard Wave Blaster compatible 26-pin header. If you have a wavetable compliant with this standard, you may use it instead of the one supplied with Monster Sound. The primary MIDI output device will remain as the "Monster Sound MIDI Port"; no changes are necessary.

What titles are available for the Monster Sound?
Game developers have produced positional audio titles and are currently working on new titles that will take advantage of Monster Sound's 3D capabilities. Diamond will make as many as possible available for purchase through their web-site catalog.

Will my Monster 3D games work with the Monster Sound?
Monster 3D games will work with the Monster Sound, but will only use the positional audio if they have been updated to use DirectSound3D or A3D. Some games written to the GLide or Direct3D API for Monster 3D are being converted to A3D or DirectSound3D for the ultimate PC gaming experience. As more become available, we will make them available on-line, too.

Will Monster Sound work with a DVD drive ?
The Monster Sound will function in a DVD-equipped system, although AC-3 audio will be pre-processed on the DVD processing card. If the DVD card has an analog audio output, you can route it through the Monster Sound via the internal or external audio input connectors.

Do I need 4 speakers to hear all the sounds ?
The Monster Sound will provide a 360-degree positional-audio effect with headphones, 2 speakers or 4 speakers.

What is the difference between A3D and DirectSound3D ?
Though Microsoft DirectSound supports 3D audio, there is no support for hardware acceleration up through revision 3.0a of the DirectX specification. This means that all 3D processing occurs on the host processor resulting in reduced game performance. A3D supports basically the same programming interface as DirectSound3D but allows for acceleration and enhancement of 3D Audio in hardware that supports the A3D engine. The result is improved CPU performance and better sounding 3D audio. Full hardware acceleration is supported in DirectSound version 5.0, which is now included on the Monster Sound installation CD.

Why am I prompted for the Windows 95/98 CD when installing Monster Sound?
The reason Windows 95/98 prompts you for the CD is because it needs one or more Windows system components that are not installed on your system. These are typically audio components that are required when using Monster Sound. These components include but are not limited to: If Windows prompts you for the Windows 95/98 Installation CD:
  1. Remove the Monster Sound CD from the CD-ROM drive.
  2. Insert the Windows 95/98 CD.
  3. After the Windows components are installed, you will be prompted for the Monster Sound CD.
  4. Remove the Windows 95/98 CD from the CD-ROM drive.
  5. Insert the Monster Sound CD.
  6. The Monster Sound setup program should start automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the software installation.

Will the Monster Sound work with my existing ISA sound card (i.e. Sound Blaster-compatible)?
Yes, Monster Sound is designed to let your existing sound card handle DOS applications running from real-mode DOS, or a Windows 95/98 DOS box, while Monster Sound accelerates and enhances your Windows, DirectSound, and DirectSound3D applications. This is the recommended configuration for DOS game compatibility. Be sure to connect the Monster Sound cable between your Monster Sound card and the existing sound card.

Can I use my Monster Sound without an existing legacy card?
Although we recommend that you use a legacy card in conjunction with Monster Sound to ensure the best DOS application and game compatibility, it is not required. You may find that Monster Sound's Sound Blaster Emulation feature provides adequate support for your DOS application and game playing needs. Additionally the Monster Sound card does not require a legacy card for applications or games that are written for Windows.

Why do I get a constant tone when I record from my microphone?
This phenomenon occurs when the 20 dB microphone boost is used with electret microphones. To solve this issue, disable the Mic Gain on the Monster Sound System Mixer.

Why do I get distortion when recording from the Microphone, Line, CD or AUX Inputs?
The recording level may be set too high. For best results, we recommend setting the recording level to minimum using the Monster Sound System Mixer. If you still experience distortion, check the input device and cables. If the input device (recording source) has an output level control, try turning it down.


Why do I hear background noise through my speakers and/or headphones?
The typical PC enclosure is an electrically noisy environment. Monster Sound has been shielded to reduce the effect of system noise. However, some systems and/or peripherals (hard disks, CD-ROM drives, etc.) are noisier than others. If you experience system noise, make sure the chassis screws are securely tightened on all add-in cards, and that all cables are of good quality and securely fastened.

Configuration Problems  


Why does a dialog box appear stating that all audio must be stopped in order to change a Monster Sound parameter or mode, yet I don't hear any audio being played?
An application may have had a problem and left one or more audio streams open. You may be able correct the situation by clicking on the Refresh button on the DSP page. If this does not work, you will need to reboot the system.

How do I change the resources for the Sound Blaster Emulation?
  1. Click on Start, then navigate to Settings.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. Double-click on the System icon.
  4. Click on the Device Manager tab.
  5. Click on the "Sound, video and game controller" device.
  6. Highlight "Diamond Sound Blaster Emulation" or "Diamond MPU-401 Emulation."
  7. Press the Properties button.
  8. Click on Resources page tab.
  9. Uncheck "Use Automatic Setting" checkbox.
  10. Double-click on the desired resource to change the setting.
Note: We recommend that you use Monster Sound in conjunction with a Sound Blaster-compatible card. If you have a Sound Blaster-compatible device in your system, then you should not use the Sound Blaster Emulation feature!

For the best DOS application compatibility, what are the recommended resource settings for the Sound Blaster Emulation?
For the "Diamond Sound Blaster Emulation" device: For the "Diamond MPU-401 Emulation" device:
How do I Uninstall the Monster Sound drivers?
  1. Click on Start and navigate to Programs, then to Monster Sound.
  2. Select Monster Sound Uninstall.
OR
  1. Click on Start, then navigate to Settings.
  2. Select the Control Panel.
  3. Double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon.
  4. Select Install/Uninstall tab, and highlight Monster Sound.

I have a red "X" symbol (or a yellow exclamation mark) on one of my Multimedia Sound driver components in the Windows 95/98 Device Manager. How can I eliminate this?
  1. Click on Start, then navigate to Settings.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. Double-click on the System icon.
  4. Click on the Device Manager tab.
  5. Highlight the Device that has the red "X" symbol (or yellow exclamation mark).
  6. Click on Properties.
  7. Check the "Device Status" box for a description of the problem.
  8. Follow the dialog instructions.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Restart computer.

How do I know if my sound card is properly configured in Windows 95?
  1. Click on Start, then navigate to Settings.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. Double-click on the Multimedia icon and navigate to the Audio property page.
  4. Make sure that Monster Sound is selected as the preferred Playback and Recording device.

How do I resolve resource conflicts with my Monster Sound card?
Monster Sound requires only one interrupt resource and two I/O ranges of 256 bytes. Since Monster Sound does not require ISA I/O resources, it is unlikely that you will experience an I/O conflict with another device in the system. However, if you need to change Monster Sound's I/O assignments, use the following steps:
  1. Click on Start, then navigate to Settings.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. Double-click on the System icon.
  4. Click on the Device Manager tab.
  5. Highlight "Diamond Monster Sound" under the "Sound, video and game controller" devices.
  6. Click on Properties.
  7. Click on the Resources tab.
  8. Uncheck "Use Automatic Setting."
  9. Double-click on the Input/Output Range you would like to change.
  10. Select a new range and click on OK.
Monster Sound is a PCI device, and is designed to share interrupt resources with other devices in the system. However, if another device, such as a non plug-n-play ISA card, causes a resource conflict, it will be necessary to manually reassign the conflicting device's interrupt. For more information, refer to the Windows help and the hardware manufacturer's documentation for the particular device.

See the Hardware and Driver Installation section for detailed instruction.

I have four speakers hooked up, but sound only comes out of the front pair.
The "4 Channel Mode" setting for Monster Sound is set to Quad. In this mode mono or stereo wave files or CD music will only come from the speakers connected to Output 1. Setting the "4 Channel Mode" to Stereo x2 will allow audio out all four speakers, but will adversely affect the performance and effectiveness of 3D audio. See the Config page of the Monster Sound utility for more information.

My 3D audio doesn't seem to be working.
If you are using headphones or one pair of speakers: check that the "4 Channel Mode" (Monster Sound MX models only) is set to either Stereo or Stereo x2. Also make sure the "Preferred" output device is correctly selected.
If you are using 4 speakers: make sure that the "4 Channel Mode" is set to Quad. See the Config page of the Monster Sound utility for more information.

Joystick issues  


Analog joystick

Microsoft Sidewinder joystick

Logitech Extreme Digital joystick

Gravis GRiP devices


My analog joystick (or gamepad) will not work while it's plugged into the Monster Sound card.
  1. Make sure the joystick is connected to the joystick port.
  2. Click on Start, then navigate to Settings.
  3. Select Control Panel.
  4. Click on the Joystick icon.
  5. Select the Advanced tab and select the Monster Sound Gameport device.
  6. Select the Joystick tab and choose an appropriate joystick device.
  7. Run the Calibrate and Test sequence.

My joystick (or gamepad) still doesn't work. Now what do I do?
If your joystick or gamepad is a digital device, please refer to the following section for more information specific to your particular device.

Microsoft Sidewinder issues?
Many of the SideWinder devices work in Analog mode. If you wish to use digital mode, or if the device is digital only, follow these steps:
  1. Check the version of Windows\system\msgame.vxd. It must be at least 1.50. If the version precedes 1.50, then you will need to obtain a new driver from the Microsoft web site. (www.microsoft.com/sidewinder). You can run the program f3JoyFix in the Monster Sound directory on your hard disk to display the version of your SideWinder drivers.
  2. Select Game Controllers from the Windows control panel.
  3. Select Standard Gameport as the Port Driver.
  4. Check the controller status. If the status is "Not Connected", select "Remove" then "Add" (select the appropriate Sidewinder device).
  5. If the status is still "Not Connected", reboot the computer and recheck the status.

Logitech Extreme Digital issues?
 The device should work in Analog mode. If you wish to use digital mode, follow these steps:
  1. Select Game Controllers from the Windows control panel.
  2. Select Monster Sound Gameport as the Port Driver.
  3. Check the controller status. If the status is "Not Connected", reboot the computer and recheck the status.

Gravis GRiP issues?
 The device should work in Analog mode. If you wish to use digital mode, follow these steps:
  1. Select "Gravis Joystick Applet" from the Windows control panel.
  2. Select the Gravis GRiP joystick from the pull down list boxes..
  3. Check the controller status. If the "Test" button is not enabled, reboot the computer and recheck the button.

  4. Recalibrate the joystick using the "Gravis Control Center" taskbar applet
Check the Gravis Joystick manual for more information on how to use the Gravis applets.