Doesn't Win98SE use the WDM version rather than the VXD? At least, I think you have the option of selecting one or the other with some installs.

for XP and 2K I just use the driver pack Creative supplies on their site for Live!. Has always worked fine for me. I've never seen any sort of tangible gain from those hacked packs, and they often have weird issues with the software apps.

Live! is not an Audigy. The processor is not as capable. The Kx project guys will attest to this from developing their drivers.

The DOS drivers are simply rebaged Ensoniq AudioPCI DOS emulator software. Hence the EAPCI in the waveset filenames.

For Win9x you are probably best off with the VXD-based Liveware3 drivers. The WDM drivers are just buggier and use more CPU time. 98 doesn't really have very good WDM support either. You need NT5 OSes IMO for really decent WDM support. Liveware3 supports all of Live!'s capabilities.

Tragically, if you are using a Live 5.1, you are stuck with the WDM drivers as Liveware3 will not work with those cards.

edit:
I have the Liveware3 driver pack. It's called "lw30full_9x.zip". It's about 30 MB. Google that.

I had the impression that the WDM system as a whole was more robust than VxD. At least, I have seen references to VxDs on a lot of BSODs, but I cannot recall ever seeing a WDM error.

WDM is less efficient on a hardware level. VXD allows direct hardware access. Undoubtedly WDM is better for stability, however. Basically a bad VXD can do more bad things than a bad WDM. WDMs are more bloated because of the extra compatibility and robustness that MS wanted. I would use VXDs if given the option, for performance. There is certainly nothing wrong with the Liveware3 drivers.

And as I said, Win9x doesn't have all that great WDM support. WDM drivers didn't really get good until XP hit. The move to Win 2000 and the requirement for WDM use gave hardware devs a lot of grief for a few years. (NT4 was way different).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Driver_Model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VxD

Oh, and can you play multiple sounds simultaneously (e.g., use an MP3 player and hear Windows system sounds) with VxD drivers? I don't recall being able to do that, but maybe it was a limitation of the particular card I was using.

yes, but it depends on the audio card. I know Ensoniq AudioPCI cards have a limit here, for example. Live! supports 32 mixed audio streams in hardware with VXD drivers, just like the newer WDMs.

Thanks for the replies, and the hint to the liveware 3 pack. I generally agree with your opinions. though much on ethe VXD/WDM pro's/con's is new for me.