Try to change the capacitors, over years they will go bad because electrolyte will dry out.. It dont have to bulge te become bad.
I will do with the ones i have. If this isnt the problem, its something other that causes electronic problems.
Dont forget this hardware is already 23+ years old, so you can suspect that anytime some components on the card can worn out.

^^ Okay, so I was planning a future recapping project, then I saw this:

Is this Intel chip meant to have bridged pins like this? This chip is from a CT1330A SBPro 1. I don't have another card to check.

That's absolutely not intentional.

I removed the bridged pins by using a small file, but I'm still getting the 'Error Code: 02FF' message when testing 'TEST-SBP.EXE'. The FM plays fine but not PCM.

Could these bridged pins caused damage elsewhere? Would replacing that Intel IC fix the issue?

j^aws wrote:

I removed the bridged pins by using a small file, but I'm still getting the 'Error Code: 02FF' message when testing 'TEST-SBP.EXE'. The FM plays fine but not PCM.

Could these bridged pins caused damage elsewhere? Would replacing that Intel IC fix the issue?

It may be possible that they caused a short circuit that somehow damaged the chip, but in that case, it would be unlikely that your system would boot with that card if it was causing a short. Other, more subtle damage may have been done.

The only way to replace it is to find one from another SB Pro or SB Pro 2. Version may need to be identical. The Intel part is a pre-programmed microcontroller. I do not know whether it is standard or Creative-specific, but the functionality is unique to the SB Pro.

If this is an 8051 then 5V and a NC pin were shorted. Now it depends if the NC pin was routed to somewhere on the board. I.e. if it was connected to ground then a trace on the board was burned. Check if 5V are available on the affected pin on the left (i.e. continuity test).

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Here's a top-down photo of the Intel IC:

I had a quick glance at the equivalent Intel IC on a SB Pro 2 (CT1600), and it has a 'V302' instead of a 'V301' shown in the above picture.

Also, not sure how to check if it's an '8051'... I dont have a multimeter handy at the moment for the continuity test, and will need to look at investing in some quality SMD soldering equipment - any recommendations?