sharangad wrote on 2025-12-06, 09:18:

I have thought about washing this in water and cleaning it, but it could rust faster, maybe? What're my options?

Ultrasonic cleaning? But I haven't used one yet.

sharangad wrote on 2025-12-06, 09:18:

Also does anyone know what the white connector on the edge is for? All the others are labelled.

This is a proprietary front audio connector (like AC97/HDAudio front panel), officially used on OEM computers like HP.

https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00211852.pdf

Pin-outs:
https://audigy2zshowto.blogspot.com/2005/05/w … stroy-your.html

ott wrote on 2025-12-06, 10:19:

Ultrasonic cleaning? But I haven't used one yet.

Oh wow, didn't know these were cheaply available. I thought this was lab tech. I don't know how large a cleaner I would need. Most of them are designed for jewelry, watches and glasses. I'll give this a try at some point and use iodised water.

ott wrote on 2025-12-06, 10:19:

This is a proprietary front audio connector (like AC97/HDAudio front panel), officially used on OEM computers like HP. […]
Show full quote

This is a proprietary front audio connector (like AC97/HDAudio front panel), officially used on OEM computers like HP.

The attachment hp-adapter-connector.jpg is no longer available

https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00211852.pdf

Pin-outs:
https://audigy2zshowto.blogspot.com/2005/05/w … stroy-your.html

I would've expect this in an OEM version of the card. I guess they added it to them all. Thanks for that.

The SoundBlaster inscription and the PCI contacts themselves are coated with real gold.
Considering even that they is damaged, I would not attempt to repair the board in this condition.
Most likely, there are a bunch of rotten transition holes on the board from layer to layer of the printed circuit board.

shevalier wrote on 2025-12-06, 14:50:

The SoundBlaster inscription and the PCI contacts themselves are coated with real gold.
Considering even that they is damaged, I would not attempt to repair the board in this condition.
Most likely, there are a bunch of rotten transition holes on the board from layer to layer of the printed circuit board.

Thanks for that. I shall drop this off at the local recycling centre.

sharangad wrote on 2025-12-06, 15:28:

I shall drop this off at the local recycling centre.

Before doing that, I'd suggest the following. Wash the card with warm water and liquid soap. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away all the dust and grime. After you're done, rinse it with distilled water, and leave it to dry at room temperature for about 72 hours. When the card is completely dry, try going over the PCI connector pins (both sides) with a rubber eraser, as mentioned in the other thread.

If the card still shows no signs of life after all that, you can donate it to someone who might be able to use it for parts. Retro YouTube channels like "Bits und Bolts" and "Necroware" might be willing to take it off your hands, and they both have accounts on this forum. Recycling retro hardware should always be the last resort.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2025-12-06, 16:23:

sharangad wrote on 2025-12-06, 15:28:

I shall drop this off at the local recycling centre.

Before doing that, I'd suggest the following. Wash the card with warm water and liquid soap. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away all the dust and grime. After you're done, rinse it with distilled water, and leave it to dry at room temperature for about 72 hours. When the card is completely dry, try going over the PCI connector pins (both sides) with a rubber eraser, as mentioned in the other thread.

If the card still shows no signs of life after all that, you can donate it to someone who might be able to use it for parts. Retro YouTubers like "Bits und Bolts" and "Necroware" might be willing to take it off your hands, and they both have accounts on this forum. Recycling retro hardware should always be the last resort.

Sorry! I'll try that if not, donate it to one of those two.

Instead of distilled water, can I use ipa? I bought an extra large bottle for the job.

sharangad wrote on 2025-12-06, 16:30:

Instead of distilled water, can I use ipa? I bought an extra large bottle for the job.

Yup, that works too.

After a bit of cleaning. I'm not sure whether it's clean enough. Rubbed the PCI connector contacts with an eraser. Still no joy.

I think there's still dirt around EMU10k. Maybe another sponge bath?

sharangad wrote on 2025-12-11, 04:09:

After a bit of cleaning. I'm not sure whether it's clean enough. Rubbed the PCI connector contacts with an eraser. Still no joy.

I think there's still dirt around EMU10k. Maybe another sponge bath?

You are forgetting that starting with the DAC, it is a completely analogue device.
With all these fairly precise capacitors, resistors, and operational amplifiers.

sharangad wrote on 2025-12-11, 04:09:

After a bit of cleaning. I'm not sure whether it's clean enough. Rubbed the PCI connector contacts with an eraser. Still no joy.

I think there's still dirt around EMU10k. Maybe another sponge bath?

You can use an old toothbrush to clean out those tiny spaces between the pins. This should be possible with just IPA, so no need for another full wash.

That said, there seems to be a lot of corrosion on the PCI connector pins, and also on the voltage regulators near the bottom right corner of the card. It might be too far gone to be restored with just a simple cleaning job. If that's the case, the guys from the aforementioned YouTube channels might have a better solution.

Can't hurt to ask a local jeweler/repair shop how much to put it in the ultrasonic for 10-20 mins - even if it has to go in vertical, twice.

It'll seriously look new - albeit some of the worse components might literally fall off - but that makes finding the fault(s) easier!

myne wrote on 2025-12-11, 07:46:

but that makes finding the fault(s) easier!

yep

https://www.guru3d.com/review/creative-labs-a … -review/page-8/
At a level of -96 dB

It was -90 and distortion was 0.003%, it will become -40 and 3%.
Everything crackles, hisses and heats up.
Real retro sound, and no need to spend money on a tube amplifier.

shevalier wrote on 2025-12-11, 08:22:

yep https://www.guru3d.com/miraserver/images/reviews/soundcards/audigy2-zs////rmaa-summary.jpg https://www.guru3d.com/review/cre […]
Show full quote

myne wrote on 2025-12-11, 07:46:

but that makes finding the fault(s) easier!

yep

https://www.guru3d.com/review/creative-labs-a … -review/page-8/
At a level of -96 dB

It was -90 and distortion was 0.003%, it will become -40 and 3%.
Everything crackles, hisses and heats up.
Real retro sound, and no need to spend money on a tube amplifier.

Lol! It would sound like an original sb!

In response to this post
Re: EAX appreciation thread
There are two LDO voltage regulators, 1.8V and 3.3V. (LD18&LD33)
Until there are working capacitors around them and until they start working themselves, the card will not be recognised.
This is a known issue with Audigy.

But since there are no threads attached to specific hardware, it gets tiresome to write the same thing in every thread titled ‘Audigy not working’.