SB16 CT2890 - Should I declare it dead? \ VOGONS

SB16 CT2890 - Should I declare it dead?

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First post, by Fallom

Posted on 2016-06-19, 15:18

Fallom Offline

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I bought this Soundblaster 16 CT2890 off eBay (a couple months ago) and enjoyed a whole day of using it. The next morning, I turned on my PC and found that the sound had ceased working and Windows 98 was throwing up "Error code 10: This device cannot start" for the audio driver. I tried all sorts of software troubleshooting including multiple reinstalls of Windows 98, driver packs, and BIOS settings to no avail. I tried moving the card into a different ISA slot and even to a different machine with no luck. There are no discernible flaws on the card itself. I ended up ordering another CT2890 that works perfectly (though it looks different, it doesn't have the jumpers and IDE connector on it?) and tossed this one in a box.

I'd hate to throw it away if there's anything else I could conceivably try to save it. Do any of you guys have a suggestion? Thanks!

Full size: http://imgur.com/a/OZtRt

Reply 1 of 5, by nforce4max

Posted on 2016-06-19, 15:45

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Just keep the card never know someday you might be able to fix it or cannibalize something of value from it like the opl3 chip. I had one and liked it but it is not one of the better noise blasters out there. If you ever run into something like a CT2290 and it happens to be dirt cheap or free take it.

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Reply 2 of 5, by PeterLI

Posted on 2016-06-19, 16:15

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I usually throw out things that no longer work. Especially low value items like this.

Reply 3 of 5, by gdjacobs

Posted on 2016-06-19, 16:31

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Vibra16S based cards are pretty common (although I think they're among the better SB16 cards due to the quieter mixer). Tracking down a replacement should be doable.

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Reply 4 of 5, by Fallom

Posted on 2016-06-19, 17:00

Fallom Offline

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Too bad. I know they're cheap but I'll still feel bad about tossing it given that nobody's making any more of them.

Reply 5 of 5, by brostenen

Posted on 2016-06-19, 19:32

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Every Vibra16 with OPL chips are good stuff in my book. Hook up an amplifier with treble and bass controll, and the missing treble/bass feature of the mixer, does not matter at all. Anyway.... Keep the card for spareparts. You never know. Being cheap cards are just a big plus, as they normally are quiet cards, and they do not have that hanging note bug.

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