Official Bioshock sound issues thread.

[Blah72]

I thought I might start this thread in hopes of getting everyone to consolidate all the information about sound issues in Bioshock here in this one thread.

Apparently threads with lots of posts will get addressed before lesser ones so it might help us to all get this sorted out sooner.

Everyone should post all the information they have about their sound problem here. Post a problem description, PC specs and maybe upload your DxDiag file somewhere and post a link here also.

I'll start by posting what I know about my sound problem.

Problem:
All the sound in the game is "snap crackle pop" static and seems to skip also.

Things I have tried:

Updating drivers
Uninstalling and re-installing my sound card
Uninstalling and re-installing Bioshock.
Turned off all the sound options in the game menu, and tweaked the ini file to turn off all sound, turn on sound comaptibility mode, and lower all sound settings such as "MaxChannels" etc.
Disabled onboard Sound in Bios.
Tried running the game in Compatibility mode.
Tried "disabling all sound enhancements" under the windows control panel sound settings.
Tried turning off all sound settings in the creative control panel such as EAX and CMSS, and tried changing the mode from Game to Entertainment.

Tried editing the ini file and changing the settings "AudioDevice=FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem" to ";AudioDevice=FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem" and adding the line AudioDevice=D3DDrv.D3DAudioDevice". This fixes the sound entirely in the menu and in the intro movie but then there is no sound in the load screens or during the game.

My DxDiag file:
http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/8685/DxDiag-txt.html

PC specs:
Vista64bit
AMD3700+ CPU
Xfi-Xtreme music sound card
1gb of ram
Nvidia 7800GT 256mb graphics card
ASUS A8N-SLI mobo
I'm using the retail version of BioShock

[Tech Richard]

Excellent idea, thanks for taking some incentive on this subject. I will however have a good review through the rest of the forums for more information about this.

The more constructive the information presented here, the easily it is to report this and try to get an answer regarding these problems.

[hobbit25]

Nice idea, im having the same issue over here with *crackles* and *pops*. To be honest I can barely play the game it gets so bad and ruins the atmosphere of the sound. I have tried everything Blah72 has tried including disabling my sound card and enabling my on board sound. Also, I have updated my OpenAL files but no luck.

System Specs:

Windows Vista Ultimate
Asus A8N-SLI Nforce 4 (Drivers up to date)
AMD 3700+ OCed 2.4~
Nvidia 7900GT 256 (Drivers up to date)
2 Gig Ram
Creative Audigy 2 ZS
Realtek AC 97 OnBoard sound (what I tried instead of my Audigy)

[hobbit25]

No edit button?

Edit: Retail copy of the game not steam.

[Webbie]

my sound stops at the poinmt where the water is dripping of at the bioshock sign at the beginning

These are my specs

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/3/2007, 18:25:24
Machine name: WEBBIE
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate
Language: Dutch (Regional Setting: Dutch)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ (2 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
Memory: 1278MB RAM
Page File: 668MB used, 2133MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8600 GTS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0400&SUBSYS_82411043&REV_A1
Display Memory: 624 MB
Dedicated Memory: 241 MB
Shared Memory: 383 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Algemeen PnP-beeldscherm
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.5818 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/12/2007 11:07:00, 4669440 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4740-11CF-4965-4AA201C2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0400
SubSys ID: 0x82411043
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Luidsprekers (High Definition Audio-apparaat)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_10438232&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/2/2006 09:36:49, 235520 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Description: Apparaat voor digitale uitvoer (SPDIF) (High Definition Audio-apparaat)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_10438232&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/2/2006 09:36:49, 235520 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

[Noahbody]

Same here, issues with crackles and pops.

Also, I have updated my OpenAL files but no luck.

System Specs:

Windows Vista Ultimate
Intel 875PBZ (Drivers up to date)
Intel P4 3.2ghz
ATI x1950Pro AGP (Drivers up to date)
2 Gig Ram
Creative Audigy 2 ZS
No onboard audio

Reverb off, EAX on --->snap crackle pop
Reberb off, EAX off ---->no sound at all

[TruffleSnifferGB]

I Have the same problems with sound crackles pops and something like a fried egg being cooked among the other PROBLEMS that are to numerous to mention as the have already been posted and yes I have tried all the various tweaks to try and resolve these problems.


Vitsa home premium 32 bit.
Athlon 64 3000+~2.0GHz
Nvidia 6800 GTS 512MB Driver version 163.44
2 Gig Ram
Creative Audigy SE 7.1
Memory 3236 MB
Direct x Version 10


Tried all the various settings in these threads to try and clear with no luck:mad: :mad: :mad:

[Alex]

Problem:
Sound doesn't work after intro movie.

Things I have tried:
Running the game in XP compatibility mode and 'Run and Administrator' - Results in various crashes
Running the game in DX9 mode with XP compatibility turned on - Crashes when trying to use vending machines

PC specs:
Vista 32 Bit
Core 2 Duo 6600
Realtek Onboard Sound (clearly the problem area)
2GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX

Retail version of BioShock

[Bfox]

Playing with 5.1, works fine coming from all speakers but after 10 mins or so of play sound starts clicking, drivers are installed fine and work for every other game.

PC Specifications
-Windows XP professional 32bit, sp pack 2
-Intel Core 2 Duo E6750
-2Gb (2X1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2
-XfX Geforce 8800gts 640mb
-Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer (Part of the recommended system requirements)
-Retail box collectors edition

Screenshot of my current sound control panel:
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8315/settingsrs0.th.png (http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=settingsrs0.png)

I noticed in the "recommended system requirements" on the back of the box it says under sound card "with BioShock EAX patch", what eax patch? I couldn't find that anywhere.. Is it installed automatically?

[OnlyRevolutions]

Unfortunately, whenever I'm playing Bioshock the sound is all messed up.

First - PC Specs:

* 3.4ghz Dual-Core Pentium-D
* 5.1 Surround Sound w/ Audigy2 ZS Platinum Pro
* nVidia GeForce 7600GT (256mb)
* 3gb DDR-2 RAM


Whenever I'm playing, it's like my sound is shifted to the right. Whenever I fire a gun, I hear it out of the front middle channel, and slightly out of the left-front. Out of the front-right, all I hear is the sound of the debris flying off the wall, or ricochets. No gun firing or plasmid sounds from the front-left.

The gun firing sounds come out of the rear-right speaker though.

I double-checked my speaker settings, they're fine and work fine in every other game with surround sound. Updated my drivers, checked, unchecked the EAX and Reverb options in-game, and tried every option with the speaker setting sliders to no avail.

Anyone else having this issue? It's kind of a game-killer. I want to play, but why bother if I can't hear anything the right way.

[OnlyRevolutions]

Also, Windows XP SP2

[diamond1234]

anyone With Vista Sound Issues -----uninstall Your Audio Drivers Then Restart.. Upon Restart You Must Let The Auto Detection (new Hardware Wizard) Setup Your Audio Drivers --- Then Download The Newest Drivers From The Realtech, Sigmatel Or For Onboard Your Motherboard Website. If You Do Not Let Vista Auto Find And Install The Basic Drivers Before You Download The Latest Drivers It Is Will Fail. Ms Did This For Users Who Dont Know How To Search For Drivers So The System Will Still Function With Basic Functionality.

[Baby_Seal_Killer]

My sound cuts out (Guns or Voices) when the action becomes more intense. It works fine during less action. I do not have the sound cracking or popping problem.

My Specs (all drivers up to date):
P4 - 3.4
2 GB RAM
Ati 1950pro
AC97 Audio
XP Home SP2
Steam Version

Here is a video of the problem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oUDLu2F0dM

I posted ticket to Tech Support Ref #070827-000670 on 8/27. No response.

[Martin C]

I'm experiencing the sound stuttering, for awhile I thought I'd solved the problem but recently had it pop up again. :(

CPU : AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Dual Core, Overclocked to 2.92GHz
Windows Version : Windows XP, Service Pack 2
Memory: 2GB DDR2
DirectX Version : DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Graphics Card Name : 2x (NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS) in Sli
Graphics Card Memory : 512Mb DDR2
Graphics Card Driver Date & Version : Beta Forceware 163.44
Sound Card Name: SoundMAX HD Audio (onboard soundcard)
Sound Card Driver Date & Version : ADIHdAud 5.10.0001.4530 - Date 02/05/2006

Here's a link to my Dxdiag file - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EN73BWJI

I have Reverb off and Audio is set to Stereo. I've tried changing the sound acceleration and sound quality settings but no change atm.

Martin C x

[Quark999]

diamond1234, I've got a Sigmatel and the latest drivers, and it doesn't work. But only with Bioshock - why would a driver that was working perfectly fine with lots of games and for several months suddenly fail on a single game, and it being the DRIVER'S and not the GAME'S fault?

I maintain, this needs investigation by 2K and a fix in game, not elsewhere. If worst comes to worse, code around it. Other games appear to be able to (although I doubt that they did anything, and it's just 2K who did something stupid).

[NovaGnome]

I'm not getting any sound from my rear speakers on my 5.1 setup. Specs are as follows:

Intel e6850
eVga 680i
2.75 gb ram( I bought 4 gigs for Vista, but after running Vista for 3 days I ditched it and went back to xp.)
X-fi Fatality- 2.09.0007
eVga 8800 Ultra- 163.44 drivers

[adrift]

Another one with stuttering sound problems. Vista, Realtek, 7600gt. All drivers (sound, video, chipset) updated.

[CityCat]

Все драва новые
Виста
Диск не пират

Саппорт! Если у вас там есть русские, давайте уж патч делайте, а не играйте в молчанку.

Вон сколько народу без звука маются. :mad:

[Speakafreaka]

I've got stuttering on tape messages, but everything else is (now) smooth.

Solved many issues by disconnecting the net, fully exiting MSN, and fully exiting AVG.

worth a try - who knows, it may just work for you if you have the stutter and hang problem on engine (as opposed to tape) audio.

[Blah72]

Well i dont think we are going to get a patch any time soon...
I got another email from the tech support, who like last time, told me to do what i had already told them i had done. I really wonder if they bother to read my emails or just send an automated reply...

By the time this gets sorted out i'm going to be over Bioshock and probly wont care anymore. With Crysis and UT2007 just around the corner it's 2k's loss really because if they dont fix Bioshock up soon everyone is just going to forget about it and get Crysis or UT2007...

I think the entire sound problem is caused by the **** house Fmod audio system. I bet if they just dump it and use a normal one all the problems would go away. Everything seems to point to the Fmod audio being the culprit.

[Speakafreaka]

oh sorry specs, wish there was an edit button

XP SP2
AMD 3700+ 939 (san diego)
ATi x1800xt
1.5 gb RAM
ASUS A8N-SLi premium
Creative Audigy 2 Ex platinum (or is it alpha, I can't remember)
Focusrite Saffire LE

[Bfox]

Все драва новые
Виста
Диск не пират

Саппорт! Если у вас там есть русские, давайте уж патч делайте, а не играйте в молчанку.

Вон сколько народу без звука маются. :mad:

I used to have this problem with other games but all you need to do is go to "C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files", find the file called "CTNeo6.dll" go to its properties and set it to "Read-only" which will stop the drivers changing its settings for bioshock and will keep it at the default working ones, hope that helps! :)

[CityCat]

У меня даже папки такой нет как "C:\Program Files\Creative\"

Не помогло значит =(

[CityCat]

С другими играми такой проблемы не было!

[BioShockWins]

Looks greek to me...

[polmak]

Still NO SOUND in Vista have

removed and reinstalled as suggested

1) UNISTALL OLD AUDIO DRIVERS
2) REBOOT
3) INSTALL NEW DRIVERS

removed enhancements in Vista
disabled EAX and reverb in game

even confirmed with DELL that my intergrated sound is Sigma

BIO Beta sound was fine but not released version, all other game and apps on my system fine including 2 high profile beta games


Lose sound as soon as the Bioshock flash screen disappears and you hit the water, can get as far as the scipted sequence with the first splicer, though no sound will not progress Atlas asking me to pick up radio , so game just sits there sulking

what next ................


-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7618&SUBSYS_102801DB& REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.5511.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 5/6/2007 17:12:02, 326656 bytes
Reply With Quote

[Jellybaby.191]

Crackle and popping audio here too.

Vista 64bit Home Premium
7900GT
Athalon 64 3700+
1.5Gb Ram
ASRock Dual Sata II mobo - using onboard sound (ULI chip)

[Martin C]

Problem;

My game is stuttering and/or playing to fast/slow on my dual core system .
( This includes AMD systems patched with AMD Dual Core driver )

Possible Solution; I has been discovered that Windows XP can have reduced performance with any dual-core based system. A MS hotfix was released to remove this error. Link to knowledge base article and hotfix download

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896256

Just tried this from the Useful Links and Possible Solutions Thread (unofficial) thread. Solved my audio stuttering, not sure how to solve vista problems though. :(

Martin C x

[ExpectedX]

Hi there,

i got the same problem but i found a solution for this problem, for my case.

- First make sure you got the current drivers for your video and sound card

- Change the following values in the default.ini:

[FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem]
MaxChannels=32
MaxStreams=4
StreamBufferSize=128


- Enable "Windows XP SP2 Compatible mode" in the shortcut properties.

My system:

Asus P5KR
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
2x Corsair 1 GB DDR2-800
Leadtek GeForce 8600 GTS 512 MB

Vista Ultimate x86
ForceWare 162.22
Realtek HD Audio R1.76

[Taibu]

Hi there,

i got the same problem but i found a solution for this problem, for my case.

- First make sure you got the current drivers for your video and sound card

- Change the following values in the default.ini:

[FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem]
MaxChannels=32
MaxStreams=4
StreamBufferSize=128


- Enable "Windows XP SP2 Compatible mode" in the shortcut properties.

My system:

Asus P5KR
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
2x Corsair 1 GB DDR2-800
Leadtek GeForce 8600 GTS 512 MB

Vista Ultimate x86
ForceWare 162.22
Realtek HD Audio R1.76

Thanks ExpectedX, you have been very helpful!

"snap/ crackle /pop /static problem" solved by changing those values in the Default.ini...(and that was the second time I edit it...First one was for a serious bug with the main menu text, which I was unable to see...).


Had no need to update drivers, and by the way...my OS is WinXP SP2.



Looks like some parameters in "Default.ini" are the cause of many serious bugs in the game...and try to edit them is the solution too...but this is a thorny issue that must be solved inmediatly by releasing a patch...

[Blah72]

*bump* still no more official word about this problem yet...no more replies from the techs. I've run out of ideas. We need more people to post their problems in this thread so it gets attention.

[Hackez]

Posting dxdiags and sound samples will help the Tech's collecting data on this issue to isolate and fix the problem.

[Jellybaby.191]

I'm picking up an X-Fi card later today to try that, been meaning to get one for a while so it makes sense to try it now while i'm having sounds problems with a game!

[Baby_Seal_Killer]

H E L P
pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzz

[Fats]

Same!! RealTek AND NO AUDIO after main menu WTF it was working now nothing argghhhhh FIX this BUGGY POS game will ya 2K. Or give me my $^#%ING money back!

[Jellybaby.191]

Just as bad (if not worse) with the X-Fi than with the Realtek :(

Sucks... :(

[quest]

Just as bad (if not worse) with the X-Fi than with the Realtek :(

Sucks... :(

yeah, pretty much so unfortunately :(

I have the x-fi platinum and gainward geforce 7600gt on my 2.4 P4. The sound stutters and loops all the time. the voices, the music, dialogue.. it's not unplayable but really annoying. especially when both of the cards are supposedly the "preferred" choices..

[quest]

yeah, pretty much so unfortunately :(

I have the x-fi platinum and gainward geforce 7600gt on my 2.4 P4. The sound stutters and loops all the time. the voices, the music, dialogue.. it's not unplayable but really annoying. especially when both of the cards are supposedly the "preferred" choices..

sorry, the full specs:

P4 2.4
Soyo P4X400 Dragon Ultra Platinum
Corsair XMS 1Gb
Gainward Geforce 7600GT 256Mb
SB X-Fi Platinum
XP Pro SP2

[ronhelms35]

I tried this by making "CTNeo6.dll" read only. I went from no sound after the plane crash to sound with all the annoying cracking and popping. My specs from dxdiag are as follows....

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/6/2007, 18:56:37
Machine name: RONALDJHELMS-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.070627-1500)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DXP061
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 2.5.0
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 965MB used, 3344MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: The file nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0402&SUBSYS_050510DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1008 MB
Dedicated Memory: 241 MB
Shared Memory: 766 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.6344 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/17/2007 16:23:00, 5058560 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4742-11CF-A66B-0E2501C2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0402
SubSys ID: 0x050510DE
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7618&SUBSYS_102801DB&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.5511.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 7/10/2007 03:03:44, 326656 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: SigmaTel
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Description: Digital Output Device (SPDIF Out) (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7618&SUBSYS_102801DB&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stwrt.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.5511.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 7/10/2007 03:03:44, 326656 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: SigmaTel
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

[AndymanOnFire]

Yay having no in-game sound either....this game rocks.

Specs:
Vista 32 bit
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ (2.8Ghz)
4Gb RAM
nVidia Geforce 8600 GT
Realtech High Def Audio
Retail version of Bioshock (In the lovely tin box lol)

Did all the uninstall/reinstall drivers, messed around with all the sound options etc...Still no luck.

[Fats]

Install OpenAL and FMOD, fixed no sound for me.

[Blah72]

Can everyone please post their specs and DxDiag files here? If you have a problem it will really help if you post this information.

I've tried installing Fmod and OpenAL and i still get the sound problem...

[CityCat]

Поставил игру на XP SP2 - звук появился (но вылетает с ошибкой после некоторого времени - помять не может быть записана).

На Vista звука нет, выводы: драйвера звукового устройства.

Остаётся ждать новой версии драйверов.

Разработчикам Биошока: как вы можете выпускать настолько не качественный товар?

[NetHawk]

Thanks ExpectedX, you have been very helpful!

"snap/ crackle /pop /static problem" solved by changing those values in the Default.ini...(and that was the second time I edit it...First one was for a serious bug with the main menu text, which I was unable to see...).


Had no need to update drivers, and by the way...my OS is WinXP SP2.



Looks like some parameters in "Default.ini" are the cause of many serious bugs in the game...and try to edit them is the solution too...but this is a thorny issue that must be solved inmediatly by releasing a patch...

I'm getting an incorrect filename error whenever I try to save the Default.ini settings in the /releases folder for some reason. It's there, and I can open it and select it, but it won't save for some reason.

[purecharger]

After a couple days of screwing with this on Vista, I solved the problem by installing Realtek's latest HD Audio driver (v1.75 released on 9/3), and enabling XP Compatibility mode.

Specs:
Vista Ultimate
MSI P6N SLI-FI mobo with realtek onboard audio
c2d e6420, 2gb ram
8800 gts 320mb

[ronhelms35]

I use Windows Vista Premium 32 bit

I have a Nvidia 8600GT and Sigma Tel integrated Audio. I am using the beta drivers for Nvidia that the game recommended and the newest sound drivers.

I updated Directx 10 to the newest version. I went from no sound after the opening movie to the crackling & popping sound. I called 2K Tech support and acknowledge that there are issues with the sound in the game. They are supposedly testing a patch, but they are not sure when it is coming out.

This really is not a hardware problem as much as it is a game issue. They immediately took me to XP Compatiblity Mode and the game works perfectly fine.

I do not think updating drivers alone will fix this issue. This might just be compatibility with Vista. I will run in XP Compatibility Mode for now and wait for the patch.

[tanis]

I am having the same crackling sound problem. And every time sounds crackle, the game sort of freezes up.

My spec is AMD64 3000+, Nvidia 7800 GT and an integrated Realtek HD (nforce4 motherboard).

I thought it could have been something with the Realtek, so I updated Realtek's drivers, Nvidia gfx drivers, nforce4 drivers, DirectX 10 (august 2007).

I am running on Vista btw.

What I found weird is that I have now disabled the internal Realtek card and I'm using an M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB card which is completely different and does not use an AC97 chipset, but the problem is still there. So I guess it's more like something that has to do with either the nforce4 chipset or the AMD64 processor or the nvidia gfx drivers.. I have completely excluded the sound card itself from now on from the list of what could be.

I am also keeping track of all the tries I do on a blog post (it's in Italian though) and if you can read that you can find out everything I've done to try and fix this. I've even posted the result of running dxdiag on my system.
Here: http://www.onemancrew.org/tanis/archives/2007/09/04/vista-realtek-ac97-scricchiolii/

[awpross]

I have the same Problem, no sound after the Intro.

In Bioshock Demo, everything worked as expected.

[jordi]

Installing OpenAL and the updated Realtek drivers fixed the "no sound" issue on my Vista 32-Bit system.

No crackling sound issues here.

[awpross]

I have got the 64bit Vista Edition. I have had sound in the Demo Version. But after installation of the Full version of the game, I do not have sound in Full version and demo version.

I do not have a realtec Soundcard.
After installation of OpenAL I have no sound AND a realy strange problem with the graphic.

Another strange behavior:
1.) I installed the Demo. I have had Sound and an Icon in startmenu
2.) I uninstalled Demo, installed full version. No sound and no icon in startmenu
3.) I installed the Demo. No Sound and no Icon in startmenu too.

I will try it on another pc where i also played the demo before without any problems. Completely different configuration.

[bstn201]

I'm just trying to post on all issues of Audio Sounds. Our Voices need to be heard. I'm still reluctant to play untill most or all of the bells and whistles have been tweak(patched). Hope there is a release soon.

[bstn201]

Sorry to post twice. I meant to attach my own quotes:o
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by bstn201
I too have this problem where the games sound cuts on and off and it makes the game impossible to play, it's very annoying.

Windows Vista Home Premium Edition
AMD Athlon 2600+ 2.08 ghz
120 g hard drive
Geforce 7600 gs 256
2 g Ram
Creative SoundBlaster 24 Live

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi just went out and bought a creative X- fi Extreme Fidelity sound card. My previous card was a Creative SB 24l Live sound card and experienced the stuttering sound and noise cutn on and off during scenes and loading and gameplay. Anyway I installed the card and the cd/drivers that were included. Loaded game and the game continue to stutter. I click options and turn the EAX feature on and restarted game. Guess what? I works, but with limitation. It stills stutters on main menu and at the very first scene on the plane. There are times i hear a lil crackle or snap but I was very happy to be able to play the game and be able to make out what the hell they were saying. Gosh. I'm pleased to say that I'd played for about a half to 45 mins without no problems. Except that my caracter like to do the running man when I let go of the forward (w) key.

Specs:
Windows Vista Home Premium ED
AMD Athlon 2600+ 2.08 GHz
2 Gigs Ram
120 GB Ultra DMA Hard Drive
Nvidia Geforce 7800 gs
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer

[Grav]

Stuttering/Crackling noise issues. I have done the following to no effect.

Changed in game settings - sound/detail/resolution
Modified .ini file - reducing channels/sound cache
Changed video drivers using driver cleaner between installs
Changed audio drivers
Changed sound cards - HD audio/Audigy/X-Fi
Defragged system including the pagefile
Added/removed codec packs
Installed OpenAL
Microsoft hotfix for Vista with Nvidia cards
Fresh install of Vista Home Premium 32bit

The only thing which has worked is reinstalling XP, with the exact same hardware in the system the game is playable for me with no issues at 1440x900 with max detail settings. Under Vista this is the only game that has any issues like this at all. The only thing I can think of is that it boils down to the Fmod audio engine that is used in the game.

My current system specs

XP MCE with all current updates
Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2GHz)
NForce 4 based motherboard Asus A8M2N-LA with current drivers
2GB DDR2-533 ram in dual channel mode
Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB with latest drivers
Realtek HD audio onboard
160GB SATA hard drive
Antec Truepower Trio 430W PSU 48A@12V (16A per 12V rail)

[Ashbery76]

+1 for dreadfull sound crackling making it unplayable.Tried all fixes and none worked.:mad: :mad:

Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer

[thgc]

@Ashbery76:
Try to install XP like Grav did. It'll solve your problems for sure.

I for my part still ain't ready to install XP when everything but BioShock is working fine...

[Blah72]

Are we ever going to get some more support from the techs? I'm sick and tired of waiting. I have recieved no further help whatsoever. Still no replies to my emails at all. I would call tech support on the phone but there is no ****ing way i am going to pay $2.48+GST per minute to talk to some damn tech who is inevitebly going to tell me to do all the stuff i have already done. After explaining everything to the tech they will come to the conclusion that they cannot fix the problem and i will need to ring back later. The phone bill would be ridiculous at that kind of price.

Not many people seem to be posting in this thread either...Can we please get some kind of word from you techs as to what is happening in relation to this issue and a patch for BS? I atleast want to know that something is being...

[Theos]

http://ca.creative.com/support/downloads/download.asp?MainCategory=209&nRegionFK=&nCountryFK=&nLanguageFK=&sOSName=Windows+Vista+32-bit&region=1&Product_Name=Sound+Blaster+X-Fi+Fatal1ty&Product_ID=14000&modelnumber=&driverlang=1033&OS=26&drivertype=0&x=30&y=15

anyone try this?

[Porn Loader]

For those without sound after the intro, what OS and what do you have your in game audio mode set to?

I would have the same issue with any in-game setting above "stereo". As soon as I set it to stereo, no issues (other than the fact that I can't play in 5.1 surround :( ). This happens regardless of what audio driver I am using.

Specs:
Vista Ultimate x64
Intel Q6600
Asus P5N-E (using the onboard Realtek HD audio)
4gigs Crucial Ballistix
8800GTX (163.44)
OCZ GameXStream 600w

Also have a creative X-Fi sitting in a drawer, but google x-fi/vista/4gigs :mad:

[mr9times]

I, too was having the no sound issue in Vista 64bit. After much reading here, I finally fixed it by removing the RealTek drivers and just going with the default Windows HD Audio drivers. I was then able to enjoy the game for about a week. But last night the game froze up in Olympus Heights and now I have no sounds again. (Also, all my settings were reverted to default. That "feature" is one of the stupidest bits of software design I've come across BTW. Thanks a pantload to whoever decided to include it.) This is more frustrating now than it was before I started the game as the only reason I can think of that it's happening is the idiotic settings reversion.

I just now removed the audio device, rebooted, and let Windows auto-detect my device. No sounds after menu.

I then downloaded the R175 drivers from RealTek, performed the steps above, installed RealTek drivers, and rebooted. No sounds after menu.

I then removed the RealTek device and drivers, rebooted, and let Windows auto-detect and install its HD Audio drivers again. No sounds after menu.


Mobo: MSI K9A Platinum
CPU: Athlon 64 X2 5600+
RAM: 2 GB
Video: Radeon X1900XT
Audio: Onboard RealTek ALC883

[localhost]

For those without sound after the intro, what OS and what do you have your in game audio mode set to?

I would have the same issue with any in-game setting above "stereo". As soon as I set it to stereo, no issues (other than the fact that I can't play in 5.1 surround :( ). This happens regardless of what audio driver I am using.

Specs:
Vista Ultimate x64
Intel Q6600
Asus P5N-E (using the onboard Realtek HD audio)
4gigs Crucial Ballistix
8800GTX (163.44)
OCZ GameXStream 600w

Also have a creative X-Fi sitting in a drawer, but google x-fi/vista/4gigs :mad:

I have an almost identical setup as you. Though I have mine in stereo and in intense action scenes I get horrible sound crackling and stuttering... completly ruins the game for me. Come on 2k! It's just sound! Meh, can't blame you guys too much... more of a unreal engine issue... no? Still, we need a fix quick!

[Osp42]

@Ashbery76:
Try to install XP like Grav did. It'll solve your problems for sure.

I for my part still ain't ready to install XP when everything but BioShock is working fine...I've had my XP installation on another partition this whole time, but I've refused to load it up because of the principle of the thing. I shouldn't have to boot into another OS to play a flawed game. I bought this game to play it in Vista, not XP.

The box should be changed to read: "Operating Systems: Windows XP (with Service Pack 2) or Windows Vista (if you're lucky)."

[Osp42]

But last night the game froze up in Olympus Heights and now I have no sounds again. (Also, all my settings were reverted to default. That "feature" is one of the stupidest bits of software design I've come across BTW. Thanks a pantload to whoever decided to include it.) This is more frustrating now than it was before I started the game as the only reason I can think of that it's happening is the idiotic settings reversion.I agree that it's stupid. A much more elegant solution would've been to write a configuration utility, but 2KGames didn't give Irrational even enough time to make the game fit for release, to say nothing about unnecessary but quite convenient utilities.

As a workaround, I would suggest doing the following to prevent that "feature" from occurring:

1. Configure the settings that you want.
2. Go to your installation folder, then to \Builds\Release and rename Default.ini to something like Default.ini.bak.
3. Go to \Users\<username>\Application Data\Roaming\BioShock and copy BioShock.ini from there to your \Builds\Release folder.
4. Rename the pasted BioShock.ini to Default.ini.

That should set your personally-configured settings as the new default. If crashes happen to reset your control configuration (key mappings and such), as well, do the same with User.ini and DefUser.ini.

[Osp42]

I would have the same issue with any in-game setting above "stereo". As soon as I set it to stereo, no issues (other than the fact that I can't play in 5.1 surround :( ). This happens regardless of what audio driver I am using.Putting it on stereo doesn't solve it for some of us. I've had my settings set to stereo from the very beginning.

[Blah72]

I've done everything that is humanely possible for me to do to try and fix this game. But i cannot fix it, no matter what settings i change in game, in the ini file or in my OS. It's a huge big ****ing bug that 2k need to fix.

It seems the problem with Realtek is mostly fixed simply by getting rid of your drivers and installing the new ones.

For anyone with a creative card there is no hope, given how long it takes creative to release a new driver and the kind of response we get from 2k about the problem it's going to be a loooong time before we ever see a fix.

[Webbie]

I had the same thing with my sound card but when i intalled xp it worked :D

[Blah72]

Well not everyone has XP and not everyone wants to install it...I cant be bothered to get and install XP just to play Bioshock. It says it supports vista so i expect it to work.

[PCDania]

Game crashes and I'm positive it's related to sound.

Either when changing the sound settings in the game or at the latest when I arrive at the lighthouse the game freeze with strange noice jumping forth and back between the front R+L speakers or running in a circle around me (5.1 speaker set).

If I do not touch the sound settings in the game, the game is much less crash prone (I've just arrived in the entrence tunnel at the secret dock under the fisheries, and had only two crashes after I kept my fingers away from the sound settings)

I'm playing at 1600*1200, medium graphics settings using the 3 sliders, all ingame text enabled. Haven't touched anything else but miss being able to hear better sound than stereo.

My computer:
Case with good airflow.
PSU is Corsair HX620
C2D E6600
2GB Corsair Dominator DDR2 6400 Dual Channel (recommended by Asus).
Asus Striker Extreme with bios 1003
8800GTX with Bioshock recommended Beta driver 163.44
SoundBlaster X-Fi Fatal1ty XtremeGamer with newest driver.
5.1 speaker set (miss this with the game currently playing in stereo :( )
Lots of free space on my harddisks and partitions.
Fully updated WinXP Pro SP2
Disabled software running in the background including antivirus and firewall.
My computer is kept lean and clean without any OC'ing.

[MaW]

My problems are primarily sound too, so I'll post the info here.

Athlon 64 3200+
XFX Geforce 7800GS AGP 256MB
Sound Blaster Audigy 2
2GB RAM
Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit
nVidia beta drivers for Bioshock
Latest Creative drivers for Audigy (16th March 2007)

If I get past the apparently timing-induced crash on game start, I get sound stuttering. No settings change I've tried has worked, although some seem to reduce the stuttering level a little. I tried Creative beta drivers someone linked, but it mucked up sound generally throughout the OS, although Bioshock was a little improved. Going back to the release drivers to get everything else working was a pain, and I still don't have surround back quite properly.

Bioshock, predictably, remains unplayable due to sound issues (looks really pretty though).

[thgc]

I installed XP and my Vista audio stuttering is now gone, the game works without flaws (except long load times, up to 4 minutes).

So in my opinion, it's definitely a game related bug when playing under Vista. The techs should have a look that way.

[mr9times]

Thanks for the tip, Osp. I'll give that a try.

[jenkue]

I have crackling sound too. Tried a few of the things mentioned in this thread. So far, nothing helped. UK version, German Windows locale.

System specs:


------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/9/2007, 22:50:52
Machine name: WINXP
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: German (Regional Setting: German)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: 965P-DS4
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU 3050 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 902MB used, 5070MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0193&SUBSYS_042110DE&REV_A2
Display Memory: 640.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: NEC MultiSync LCD1770NX(Digital)
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6344 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/17/2007 16:23:00, 5860736 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: Nicht zutreffend
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/17/2007 16:23:00, 6842208 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-42D3-11CF-A66B-2A2403C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0193
SubSys ID: 0x042110DE
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Revision ID: 0x00A2

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB X-Fi Audio [9000]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00211102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.1201 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 6/18/2007 03:01:28, 514560 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 1, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 128, 118
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 128, 118
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

[Unseen]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/9/2007, 17:49:19
Machine name: HOME-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.070627-1500)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: GG781AA-ABA a6110n
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ (2 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 846MB used, 3464MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0193&SUBSYS_042010DE&REV_A2
Display Memory: 1051 MB
Dedicated Memory: 284 MB
Shared Memory: 766 MB
Current Mode: 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.5824 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/26/2007 03:17:00, 4669440 bytes


-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_103C2A58&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5473 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 8/28/2007 16:46:38, 1951000 bytes

I experience no sound during gameplay, I've uninstalled sound drivers and let Vista automatically find new ones then I installed the latest driver from the site. I might just return this game to the store and be done with this already.

[Osp42]

I suppose that I'll mention that, the other day, I enabled the onboard audio on my motherboard, got the latest drivers for it and BioShock still crackled. I mention this because the onboard audio is C-Media. So, we can add C-Media to the list of sound chips that experience sound problems, proving even moreso that it's the game that is at fault, not sound cards or their drivers.

[Webbie]

if you got vista and you got the problem that you have no sound than its because you have vista i had teh same problem so when i installed xp it worked for me hope i help u with this

[Jellybaby.191]

Reinstalling XP is not an option for me. I don't have a license for it, i'm not going to buy it to make a game that claims to be vista compatible work acceptably. If the game claims to work with vista it should work with vista!

[palmer666]

Has someone tested the new Realtek driver that was released today?

I´m running the game also under Vista x86. The same problem as told many times by other users here: After intro (planecrash) no sound in the first level!

Made a fresh Vista setup yesterday with drivers up to date and all updates from Microsoft! Just BioShock! No chance!

My specs:
intel Core 2 Duo E6750 @ 2,66 Ghz
Sparkle GeForce 8800 GTS 640 MB
2x 1024 MB DDR2 Kingston PC 667
MSI P35 Premium Mainboard
Hitachi 320 GB SATAII HDU
Onboard Realtek ALC888 7.1 Kanal HD Audio
Windows Vista Home Premium with all updates until today

[palmer666]

And Nvidia Forceware 163.44 BETA installed....

[moralneeeick]

Many people have been excited about getting their hands on a game running the Unreal 3 engine. Reading this forum, it is pretty obvious the game was released with these sound issues being known about. There is too much of a variety of hardware for this to be a glitch, it seems there is something fundamentally wrong. Nonetheless, constructive I will be. My setup is below:

Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz
Abit IN9-32X-MAX
2 x 8800GTX (Forceware 163.44) (1.5Gb Texture Mem)
X-Fi ELite Pro (Latest Drivers)
Vista Ultimate
2Gb Ram (Corrsair XMS2 PC10000C5DF)
2 x Raptor (RAID 0)
Dell 30" 3007-WFP


My sound issues seem to be slowing the frame rate also. I have only played the first few minutes of the game, and gave up after that. I really hope a resolution to this is found quickly before we all hear to many spoilers!

[palmer666]

Found a possible solution on an other forum:

Uninstalling the Realtek driver and running it with the standard sound-driver from Vista.

Can someone confirm that please?

[moralneeeick]

and one toher thing, those people who are suggesting re-install XP... I just bought Halo 2, which only works on Vista. Crysis which is released shortly, again Vista only. Moving back to XP only delays the inevitable. I am in no doubt that developers hate Vista as much as us, but its all we have to work with. Cheers MS.

[palmer666]

and one toher thing, those people who are suggesting re-install XP... I just bought Halo 2, which only works on Vista. Crysis which is released shortly, again Vista only. Moving back to XP only delays the inevitable. I am in no doubt that developers hate Vista as much as us, but its all we have to work with. Cheers MS.

You are right! I think the same! To sad, that there is a big "Games for Windows" sticker is on the package.... For a not working game under Vista.

[palmer666]

That remembers me at "Dark Messiah of Might and Magic". A game, that is not running completly until today. I was BETA beta-tester the time it came out and every fix opens a new error, that was not there before. Too sad....

[pauldutton]

I am experienceing the same problem as Baby_Seal_Killer
Quote:
"My sound cuts out (Guns or Voices) when the action becomes more intense. It works fine during less action. I do not have the sound cracking or popping problem. "

My PC Spec is:
3.0ghz P4 Dual Core 800FSB
2GB DDR400
7800GT AGP GEFORCE
Sound Blaster Live! Platinum 5.1

Any info regarding the above will be greatly appreciated.
:)

[Grav]

@ Palmer666 - tried - no effect :(

@ Moralneeeick - crysis is xp as well - crytech and ea have said this many times

[palmer666]

@ Palmer666 - tried - no effect :(

Hmmm, that sounds not good. Whats about the compatibility mode (Windows XP SP2)? Have read, that this workaround works. But what is with the DX10-graphic-features? When i activate compatibility mode for WinXP, i can´t play with DX10 features, or?

[palmer666]

Today Realtek has released a new driver. Hope that works.... Still downloading. Has someone tested it before?

[palmer666]

Have found another solution (its in german):

http://board.raidrush.ws/showpost.php?p=4027801&postcount=4

Start > Run > dxdiag > Sound > Configure Sound Hardwareacceleration > Set to max.

Can someone test it?

[Blah72]

Have found another solution (its in german):

http://board.raidrush.ws/showpost.php?p=4027801&postcount=4

Start > Run > dxdiag > Sound > Configure Sound Hardwareacceleration > Set to max.

Can someone test it?
I cant speak for XP but under Vista i have tried the equivelant solution which is to disable all sound enhancements and that didn't fix the problem.

[hopstepslip]

Anyone having XP, sblive!(and probably NF4 board) combo and suffering from hard lockup (with looping sound) in the main menu should try underclocking your fsb slightly(like 3-5mhz)in bios menu. I was having this issue almost everytime I ran this game(but for some weird reason it only froze in the main menu but not in the actual game) but fixed my problem this way. Hope this info is usuful to someone struggling out there.

[Skaphilear]

I cannot get this game to even launch unless I completely disable all sound through device manager. My computer meets all the specs, and I can play any other game out there at this time. That said, I'll post my sound device so you can take a look.

Realtek HD Audio Output
Version: 5.10.000.5477
Date: 9/5/07

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[PrivateJoker]

The sound, especially with fiber optic audio cables, is exceptional and very immersive. :D

[MrObvious]

I played about 2/3 of the game.
Then bought a new set of 5.1 speakers.
I've had the same problems that everyone else is having.
Scratchy sound on stereo and nothing on 5.1.
After trying to get the speakers to work I lost all sound in the game.
Pregame and game intro sound was there, but nothing after.
I had bought a new drive but never installed it.
so...............
I installed the new drive and did a fresh XP install.
I had been using the audio on my asus MB, but
I reinstalled an Audigy 4 card I had removed because of conflicts with my video card
I had replaced my video card, but never reinstalled the audio card.
On reinstallation, I just installed the drivers, none of the creative software.

Started the game and it works wonderfully.
I didn't even mess with any of the settings in the ini file.

P4D dual core 3.0
2 gig ram
ati X1950pro 256
Audigy 4 SB1394
WDSE 160 gig

[dnga89]

I also have no sound after the intro and throughout the entire game. I also have no sound for the buttons(piano noise) in the menu(which is what I am now using as a way to see if it is working) at the beginning, so it is only the video files that seem to play without changing any settings. The game's graphics runs perfect on Vista but absolutely no sound effects other than the movie files and loops in the intro and menu.

-I have checked and updated all my drivers.
-Turning Reverb on or off... does nothing for me.
-Turning on EAX causes the game to create a static noise which is clearly distorted game sound but is definitely unplayable.
-Turning XP compatability on lets me play the game BUT suffer from regular crashes if I:
> change resolution or pretty much any setting in options (which means that I have to change settings in Vista then change back to XP each time - and for some reason the settings go back to default every time I run it in XP... meaning I have to switch at the beginning each time I play which is a good five minutes of fiddling around to play the game - not to mention that I have a widescreen computer so the default doesn't work for my screen so I HAVE to change it)
> simply perform multiple in-game actions (vending machines, randomly, looting corpses) So basically I am saying that even If i got it working after alot of tweaking for XP and setting up my resolution each time before I play, which is alot of work when it all adds up, there is simply too many bugs under the XP-Compatibility Mode for me to play at all. When it crashes and I have to Ctrl-Alt-Delete to get out to my desktop.

My settings are:

Windows Vista Home Premium
Intel Core 2 CPU 4400 @ 2.00Ghz, 2.00Ghz
Memory RAM: 2046 MB
System Type: 32-bit Operation System
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
5.1 Speakers from DELL (SigmaTel High Definition Audio Codec)

I`ve been hearing alot of problems with Vista and apparently the fault is a problem with communication between Windows and game developers and mostly just operating system compatibility issues... and I was susrprised that I got a problem from this game in particular because of the brand new 'GAMES FOR WINDOWS' logo which means there should be no problem. I would expect this kind of problem with older games not officially supported by Vista, but to spend over seventy dollars for the special edition and have to tweak it to even play it in a bugged up compatibility mode is very frustrating. Thanks for everyones support and I hope that we can all work together to find the problems and solve them because apparently there are many and for an absolutely amazing game that has so much to offer everyone, I would hate to see it lose interest because of persistant sound bug problems that I have never heard of before this.

[Oh and by the way, if 2K releases another patch(which I apparently downloaded the last time I reinstalled the game), is there a way that I can receive it without reinstalling it and how will i know when there WILL (haha) be a new one?]

THANKS

[Baby_Seal_Killer]

The sound, especially with fiber optic audio cables, is exceptional and very immersive. :D

:confused: And this helps us how???? :confused: :confused:

[Taelsolos]

Everyone who has been experiencing sound issues:

Please visit the following youtube video and see if this is the "snap, crackle, pop" you are hearing. This video is the EXACT issue that I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty9-SnDP8xI

Im unable to post my system specs because I'm at work, but this video is very accurate.

It should at least show the people who say "The sound problem cant be THAT bad, stop complaining" that it makes the game unplayable.... mostly because after 20 minutes of it I find that my eye is twitching uncontrollably and im shooting the little sisters with rocket launchers out of frustration.

[Artack]

First of all sorry for my bad english :-)

spec:
nforce 3 250
ath 2800+
x1650pro
2 gb ddr

with windows sp2 works all fine....
whit vista i have the same problems like you......
I try to start bio whit the compatibily sp2 setting and the soud doenst work
Then i reselect vista compatibily and the sound works better!!!!!!!!!!
only a few distortions any little time....
try it!!!!!!!!

[Layne]

I am experienceing the same problem as Baby_Seal_Killer
Quote:
"My sound cuts out (Guns or Voices) when the action becomes more intense. It works fine during less action. I do not have the sound cracking or popping problem. "

My PC Spec is:
3.0ghz P4 Dual Core 800FSB
2GB DDR400
7800GT AGP GEFORCE
Sound Blaster Live! Platinum 5.1

Any info regarding the above will be greatly appreciated.
:)

I am experiencing these same issues. When there is a lot of action on the screen, the sound drops out and I also hear random sounds like bullets, ricochets, and yelling all together - broken up and garbled.

I started monitoring my components for heat, etc. (on my 2nd LCD) while playing and I did notice that at least 1 core in my processor is at max when this sound issue happens - rarely are both maxed, yet obviously when both are maxxed the sound issue happens.

My specs:
GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R (onboard audio - Realtek ALC889A - latest drivers as of 8/27/07)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz
Patriot Extreme Performance - 4GB
PNY GeForce 8800GTS 320MB

[vicrattlehead]

anyone With Vista Sound Issues -----uninstall Your Audio Drivers Then Restart.. Upon Restart You Must Let The Auto Detection (new Hardware Wizard) Setup Your Audio Drivers --- Then Download The Newest Drivers From The Realtech, Sigmatel Or For Onboard Your Motherboard Website. If You Do Not Let Vista Auto Find And Install The Basic Drivers Before You Download The Latest Drivers It Is Will Fail. Ms Did This For Users Who Dont Know How To Search For Drivers So The System Will Still Function With Basic Functionality.

I did this above to a tee and it solved all my no sound problems with my realtek hd onboard sound.

Heres what I did exactly to get it working.

Remove sound drivers completely.

Reboot let windows install basic driver.

Download newest realtek vista drivers ver R176. Install them.

Reboot again.

Sound worked after intro movie on bioshock no problems at all.

Lastly.
I did take ExpectedX advice and edit the default.ini with these values.

Change the following values in the default.ini:
Code:

[FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem]
MaxChannels=32
MaxStreams=4
StreamBufferSize=128

Did that first before updating drivers. Didnt work. After new drivers worked perfectly. Not sure if the ini edit helped or not.

Playing bioshock right now with no sound problems at all.

Thank you all for the suggestions! Never thought sound would work on here.
:D

[shiva7663]

Change the following values in the default.ini:

[FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem]
MaxChannels=32
MaxStreams=4
StreamBufferSize=128

That ini tweak is what fixed my X-Fi "no sound after main menu" issue. Before I would only get sound during the hacking minigame, or when picking up powerups. Now I get sound all the time. Whee!

[MaW]

Everyone who has been experiencing sound issues:

Please visit the following youtube video and see if this is the "snap, crackle, pop" you are hearing. This video is the EXACT issue that I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty9-SnDP8xI

Im unable to post my system specs because I'm at work, but this video is very accurate.

It should at least show the people who say "The sound problem cant be THAT bad, stop complaining" that it makes the game unplayable.... mostly because after 20 minutes of it I find that my eye is twitching uncontrollably and im shooting the little sisters with rocket launchers out of frustration.

Yes, that's exactly what I get (my specs and specifics are further up the thread). Exactly.

[palmer666]

That sounds interesting! I have already tested the new Realtek drivers that were released yesterday - but always the same (no sound after intro). Will edit my .ini-file today evening and will check that. I hope, that works.

Running the game in XP SP2-Compatibility mode.... That sucks because of the not enabled DX10-features..... I´ve bought an new PC last week only to play that game!!! And Crysis!

[ragedriven]

i get all audio perfect (i think) except i can't hear the tapes or radio.

i hear sound effects grouls explosions, ambience, just no audio tapes/diaries/radio

the FAQ said to turn up your window sound levels, i did, no change

VISTA
680i newly updated (sound drivers included?)

on the nvidia site there is a realtek audio driver but it isn't for vista. any work on this?

[palmer666]

I´ve you have Realtek Onboard sound, choose this one:

for HD:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#High%20Definition%20Audio%20Codecs

for AC97 (normal):

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=23&PFid=23&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#AC

[Serg]

Try it. Install last OpenAL, options in game EAX ON, REVERB OFF.
It works for me.

Vista HP
Athlon 64 3700+
8800 GTX
Audigy2 ZS Platinum
2GB DDR
All latest drivers

[palmer666]

Sorry, but what have you tryed? Is OpenAL compatible to Realtek sound hardware?

[ragedriven]

i have a evga 680i.

in xp i had to download the additional nvidia 680i sound drivers to even get sound (in addition to 680i driver set), but since vista has sound drivers already in it i just installed the 680i driver set without the seperate 680i sound drivers.

which are labeled by nvidia for 2000, XP, 03server leaving out vista)

i can install this realtek driver from nvidia for my mobo, but i thought it was for xp only, i can live without the tapes/radio/diaries instead of having scratchy/non-existant audio like everyone else with vista in this thread

[palmer666]

I really couldn´t live with it.... It´s time for a patch from 2K!!!!

[Blah72]

I dont really think anyone has fixed their audio problems other than some people by updating their realtek drivers. A patch is deffinetly in order but i wouldn't hold your breath, i think people will largely forget about it when Crysis comes out and if there isn't a patch by then most people will probly jsut chuck Bioshock in the corner and forget about it.

If there is no patch by then i am going to trade in my copy of BS for a small discount on Crysis...Better than having a really expensive mouse pad.

[Flibster]

I have the same problem, when the audio sound effects (including ambient effects) become too much, parts just disappear. This is more noticeable when turrets and explosions are going off at the same time.

I have an X-Fi Elite Pro with the latest drivers, this most certainly shouldn't be happening

[moralneeeick]

This certainly shouldn't be happening. I too have the Elite pro with latest drivers, and have built a PC specifically for running Crysis/UT3 (and BS).

Has anyone actually heard form a moderator? Has any word been given on a patch? As I mentioned earlier I'm pretty sure they were fully aware of this issue prior to release, but decided to get it out there so we could all FINISH BETA TESTING it.

Now that we have supplied 2K with some free testing, maybe we could get a word on when a patch wil be released?

This standard of service would not be tolerated in any other market, and PC owners are getting the raw end of the deal time and time again. Bioshock is simply the latest example.

I have seen moderator comments asking for us to be productive, well in my opinion if the developers were "productive" none of us would be in this position to begin with.

Can we please get some answers, at least an explanation as to why these sound issues are so windespread. Then, once the game is playable, an explanation as to why SLI makes no difference to framerate...

In the mean time I will get back to beta testing, sorry for slacking!

[moralneeeick]

Quick reply to Grav...

I realise Crysis is XP, but DX10 is unfortunately not. If it were I wouldn't be running Vista, who would?!?

[jus71n]

Ok so i buy i new PC to play the latest and greatest and guess what???? I find myself beta testing for 2K instead of enjoying my gaming experiance, I mean i don't want to go out and spend £2000 on hardware, then £29.99 on a game only to have to spend hours trying to get the sound to work? how can that be right? then on top of that 2K don't even seem to bothered about sorting it out?


2K should be paying us to test this


Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Processor (2.66GHz, 1066MHz, 4MB)
4096MB Dual Channel DDR2 677MHz [4x1024] Memory
768MB nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX graphics card
500GB Western digital SATA 2's in raid
500GB Western digital storage
X-Fi XtremeGamer sound
Dell 24" UltraSharp Wide Aspect Digital Flat Panel (2407FPW)
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64)
Logitech MX revolution mouse
Logitech DiNivo Keyboard
JBL Creature II speaker system

[omegastrike]

im haveing issues with sound at first it was all fine for about 2 days of play i load the game up again and it was all static have all the newest drivers for realtek audio and ive twiked the ini. ive fixed it to the point that static is fixed but i have no sound in the game. the menu screen has music but mousing over or clickiing the options has no sound and all opening cinematics a have sound but in game no noise whatsoever. ive twiked everything that ive read in other problem threads uninstalled reinstalled and nothing

system specs are
amd athlon 3200+
Windows XP SP2
DirectX version 9
EVGA nvidia 8600 GT 512 MB
completely up to date GC drivers
RealTek Audio onboard sound
most up to date drivers

[Arod]

For those who have no sound at all during game play try downloading the AC3 Filter. I was having the exact same issue with Bioshock (sound during everything but the game play. I had to update my audio codec in order to play a certain avi file i downloaded and decided to test bioshock again immediatly afterwards and voila...I have sound!

I am running vista premium x64 with sigmatel onboard sound

http://ac3filter.net/releases/ac3filter_1_46_stable

[sam101200]

This has been going on long enough and is so widespread that 2K should just come out and say they goofed and is working 24/7 on a patch. And no, Securom is not responsible. You publish it, you take responsibility. What kind of a company is this?

[mr9times]

Tried installing AC3Filter and still no sound.

[Osp42]

I've just finished a lot of testing and have come to the realization that the audio crackling and no-sound problems are, in fact, the same problem. The difference appears to be merely in what your settings on the audio page are. The following are the results of my testing with every single combination possible.

For the record, this is with Vista. Also, just to clarify what my terminology is, "crackling" is the audio crackling problem that half of you are having, "no SFX in menu/game" is the "no sound during gameplay" problem that half of you are having and "XP mode" means that the game was run in XP Program Compatibility mode.

7.1, 5.1, Surround or Quad
====================
EAX off, Reverb off = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb off, XP mode = no crackling, no SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb on = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb on, XP mode = no crackling, no SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb off = crackling, no SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb off, XP mode = crackling, no SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb on = crackling, no SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb on, XP mode = crackling, no SFX in menu/game

Pro Logic or Stereo
==============
EAX off, Reverb off = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb off, XP mode = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb on = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb on, XP mode = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb off = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb off, XP mode = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb on = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb on, XP mode = crackling, SFX in menu/game

Mono
====
EAX off, Reverb off = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb off, XP mode = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb on = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX off, Reverb on, XP mode = crackling, SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb off = crackling, no SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb off, XP mode = crackling, no SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb on = crackling, no SFX in menu/game
EAX on, Reverb on, XP mode = crackling, no SFX in menu/game


Obviously, there isn't a single combination that works (SFX in menu/game AND no crackling). I'm providing this data to dissuade others from wasting their time fiddling with these options, but, more importantly, so that one of the tech guys/gals might pass this along to those working on the patch. I can't see a real pattern to the data, but maybe the techs can.

[Tech John]

Ok so i buy i new PC to play the latest and greatest and guess what???? I find myself beta testing for 2K instead of enjoying my gaming experiance, I mean i don't want to go out and spend £2000 on hardware, then £29.99 on a game only to have to spend hours trying to get the sound to work? how can that be right? then on top of that 2K don't even seem to bothered about sorting it out?


2K should be paying us to test this


Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Processor (2.66GHz, 1066MHz, 4MB)
4096MB Dual Channel DDR2 677MHz [4x1024] Memory
768MB nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX graphics card
500GB Western digital SATA 2's in raid
500GB Western digital storage
X-Fi XtremeGamer sound
Dell 24" UltraSharp Wide Aspect Digital Flat Panel (2407FPW)
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64)
Logitech MX revolution mouse
Logitech DiNivo Keyboard
JBL Creature II speaker system

Please explain exactly what the problem is that you are having.

[Tech John]

im haveing issues with sound at first it was all fine for about 2 days of play i load the game up again and it was all static have all the newest drivers for realtek audio and ive twiked the ini. ive fixed it to the point that static is fixed but i have no sound in the game. the menu screen has music but mousing over or clickiing the options has no sound and all opening cinematics a have sound but in game no noise whatsoever. ive twiked everything that ive read in other problem threads uninstalled reinstalled and nothing

system specs are
amd athlon 3200+
Windows XP SP2
DirectX version 9
EVGA nvidia 8600 GT 512 MB
completely up to date GC drivers
RealTek Audio onboard sound
most up to date drivers

Please try the following.

Right click on the game shortcut on the desktop and choose properties.
Then choose the compatibility tab.
Check the box labeled "Run this program in compatibility mode for".
from the drop down menu please choose windows XP SP2.
Now apply the changes.
Right click on the shortcut again and choose to run as admin.

[Tech John]

This has been going on long enough and is so widespread that 2K should just come out and say they goofed and is working 24/7 on a patch. And no, Securom is not responsible. You publish it, you take responsibility. What kind of a company is this?

What problem are you referring to?

Also please post any troublshooting that you have tried.

[Blah72]

What problem are you referring to?

Also please post any troublshooting that you have tried.
Maybe you would like to help the rest of us to? Everyone here is getting nearly exactly the same problem, and we have posted heaps of information regarding the problems throughout the thread.

[sam101200]

What problem are you referring to?

Also please post any troublshooting that you have tried.


LOL, you really need to start reading your own forums, and for that matter, google for "no sound in Bioshock". The "problem" is NO SOUND. We have all troubleshooted and have tried everything possible. Many of the people who "Troubleshooted" for 2K are very smart people, and have been doing it for free. I find it insulting 2K needs to ask "What problem are you referring to?", especially on this thread.

Everyone has different problems, I personally have Realtek HD, no sound other than in movie and menu. No, compatability mode doesn't work. Many others have nearly the same issue with different chips, different configurations. Nobody has any problems with other games.

It is quite obvious by now there is a major BUG, so stop asking about troubleshooting and just fix it.

[Blah72]

Why was my post deleted?:mad:


Well anyway, i posted just to say i have fixed my problem (no thanks to 2k). I have eliminated all sound stuttering etc by going into the Bioshock "release" folder and right clicking on the "Bioshock - MCE" shortcut, then changing the compatibility mode to windows 2000, and setting it to run as administrator.

The sound in the menu and in the intro video is still screwed but in game the sound is perfect even with EAX and reverb turned on!

[petaire]

This is awesome... I made a thread to complain about sound crackling, and the only answer was "show me your folder to see if you used a crack". Yes, I've got an original retail version, and yes, i've cracked it, because I was wondering SecuRom security was guilty of the sounds problems, like maybe 95% of this thread's people...

Can you just recognize that Bioshock is so bugged, even on 360? Do you think it's ok to clear cache? Do you think it's ok to spend 3 days formating, installing, because you DO NOT want to send 55euros to the garbage?

[SuperFuzz]

Another one suffering from sound issues. On mine the sound usually works fine but randomly, either off the bat or after a bit of play, a strong whining, popping static sound will develop in the foreground and the game sounds start to sound garbled. It sounds almost identical to listening to an AM radio station that is slightly out of tune and you get the high pitched static and garbled voices.

Asus A8N 32SLI Deluxe
AMD Athlon FX-60
2GB G-Skill DDR 400
Soundblaster Audigy 2zs (Vista Driver 2.12.0002)
Foxconn ONOC 8800GTS 640MB x2 in SLI
Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit

[ragedriven]

LOL, you really need to start reading your own forums, and for that matter, google for "no sound in Bioshock". The "problem" is NO SOUND. We have all troubleshooted and have tried everything possible. Many of the people who "Troubleshooted" for 2K are very smart people, and have been doing it for free. I find it insulting 2K needs to ask "What problem are you referring to?", especially on this thread.

Everyone has different problems, I personally have Realtek HD, no sound other than in movie and menu. No, compatability mode doesn't work. Many others have nearly the same issue with different chips, different configurations. Nobody has any problems with other games.

It is quite obvious by now there is a major BUG, so stop asking about troubleshooting and just fix it.

i had the same problem, but then i was able to trouble shoot the system. try trouble shooting your own system or learning how instead of repeatedly harping about an update thats weeks off and won't help you anyways.

[sam101200]

i had the same problem, but then i was able to trouble shoot the system. try trouble shooting your own system or learning how instead of repeatedly harping about an update thats weeks off and won't help you anyways.

So, if I troubleshoot my own system, you or 2K will pay me for my time and effort? I don't think so. I paid money in a legal commercial transaction, there is obviously a defect in the product, therefore the vendor must at least acknowledge the defect (which is widespread and in the public domain), and must be willing to show, in good faith, that it is working on a solution.

[Osp42]

Well anyway, i posted just to say i have fixed my problem (no thanks to 2k). I have eliminated all sound stuttering etc by going into the Bioshock "release" folder and right clicking on the "Bioshock - MCE" shortcut, then changing the compatibility mode to windows 2000, and setting it to run as administrator.

The sound in the menu and in the intro video is still screwed but in game the sound is perfect even with EAX and reverb turned on!You did it! That works!

One of my hunches all along was that the problem might have something to do with Media Center (which comes with Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate), but nothing I did to try to disable it worked. I don't know why I never thought to investigate that BioShock-MCE shortcut.

Anyways, first things first. I followed your steps and the crackling was still there the first few times that I tried it. Whenever the game exits, it loads up Media Center and I kept select "Set Up Later." Finally, I decided to just select Express Setup. Upon the next reload of the game, the in-game sound was perfect, just as you said.

From then on, I disabled one feature after another until I realized that you didn't need the -mce switch, Windows 2000 compatibility mode or to run it as an administrator; just the original, plain-jane shortcut worked.

So, I'm wondering if the solution to this problem is as simple as loading up Media Center one time, choosing Express Setup and exiting. Someone who is still having crackling, try that (before applying Blah's other settings) and see if it solves the problem.

[Ivan4ik]

I fixed it! First i had no sound (and for some reason i couldnt get out of the submarine in the begining of the game) . Then i ran it in "xp" mode and got sound with "crackles". Then i set "eax off, rebab on, stereo'' and get perfect sound. But i noticed that subtitle timing is horrible and movment control somtimes glitches.
Why is AAA-class progect is so buggy?

[HetNet]

I lose all sound when changing levels, and sometimes just after playing a while...

Soundblaster Audigy, Win XP SP2....have updated drivers and tried several of the fixes, and nothing seems to help...

The only way I regain sound is by completely exiting the game and re-running it, at which point everything is fine again for a little while...But if I play too long, or if I have to pass a load screen, the sound is gone again until I quit the game and rerun it...


Any solutions anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated...

[kengc2]

I also have no sound after opening credits, but I'm unable to make the fix by changing the shortcuts or executables.

When I make the changes to the shortcuts or executables to allow running in compatibility mode, either Win XP or Win 2000, it causes the game to fail to load. After clicking on the icon, it goes immediately to a black screen and fails to respond.

This is not a solution for me, and I've read other posts where others have this problem as well. Is there some setting in graphics options that has to be changed to allow it to run in compatibility mode? I've already reduced resolution and this does not allow it to run.

My rough system is:
Dell H2C, 4gb RAM
Vista Ultimate
Nvidia montherboard and 8800 GTX video (drivers up to date)
Onboard Sigmatel Sound (drivers up to date)

No other application or game has any sound problems whatsoever.

Ken

[ragedriven]

by running in xp mode you aren't getting the directx 10 you paid for. if you have the 680i you most likely have the realtek HD audio onboard audio.

go to realtek site and get the vista32 audio driver.
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#High%20Definition%20Audio%20Codecs

get OpenAL for vista
http://developer.creative.com/articles/article.asp?cat=1&sbcat=31&top=38&aid=46

get the directX redistributable
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=cb7397f3-0949-487b-9247-8fee451bf952&DisplayLang=en

uninstall your audio drivers first, and install them in that order.

if that don't work reinstall vista with autoupdate off and install video/mobo/audio/directX/antivirus/vista full update in that order.

if that don't work wait weeks for a solution from 2k, austrailia is on a completely different time scale.

[kengc2]

Rage:
Thanks for the information, but the following happened:
1. Realtek driver downloads, installs, asks for reboot. Upon reboot, my default drivers (Sigmatel) re-install, so I don't believe that the realtek drivers are for my system.
2. OpenAL for Vista asks for the location of my soundcard drivers. I choose the C: drive, but it doesn't find them. I choose the location of the Sigmatel drivers and it doesn't install.
3. DirectX redistributable: this installs fine.

So, still doesn't work.

I have a spare X-Fi card-- should I try this instead?? I hate to pop the case and setup a whole new card and disable the motherboard audio (I'm not impressed with the X-Fi), but will do it just to play this game.

Thank you for the help anyway.
Ken

[ragedriven]

well that was IF you had 680i which you didn't specify.

what mobo do you have? find out what onboard audio you have and go to the site and get those drivers...

the openal and directx should be the same though.

if you put in a soundcard and you have the OEM version of vista you'll have to reactivate vista because you changed your hardware.

[methylbenzoate]

Rage:
Thanks for the information, but the following happened:
1. Realtek driver downloads, installs, asks for reboot. Upon reboot, my default drivers (Sigmatel) re-install, so I don't believe that the realtek drivers are for my system.
2. OpenAL for Vista asks for the location of my soundcard drivers. I choose the C: drive, but it doesn't find them. I choose the location of the Sigmatel drivers and it doesn't install.
3. DirectX redistributable: this installs fine.

So, still doesn't work.

I have a spare X-Fi card-- should I try this instead?? I hate to pop the case and setup a whole new card and disable the motherboard audio (I'm not impressed with the X-Fi), but will do it just to play this game.

Thank you for the help anyway.
Ken

What don't you like about the X-Fi card you have? What version is it also?

...Just curious...

[Mysky]

Everything worked fine until I got to 4th Deck in the game. Sound effects are gone, I can only hear low music and some mild noises sometime. No shooting/whipping/punching/electronic sounds, only music and some weird background noise.

SB Audigy 2 zs, WinXP
Well, was a good game until now, going to throw it in trash I guess. Thanks.

[methylbenzoate]

Everything worked fine until I got to 4th Deck in the game. Sound effects are gone, I can only hear low music and some mild noises sometime. No shooting/whipping/punching/electronic sounds, only music and some weird background noise.

SB Audigy 2 zs, WinXP
Well, was a good game until now, going to throw it in trash I guess. Thanks.

You didn't happen to update the Audigy 2 ZS XP drivers, either from Windows update or from Creative directly, before the problems started, did you?

Or did the problem just "pop-up" in-game while you were playing?

[Mysky]

You didn't happen to update the Audigy 2 ZS XP drivers, either from Windows update or from Creative directly, before the problems started, did you?

Or did the problem just "pop-up" in-game while you were playing?

Didn't see winupdate doing anything, and manually, no. Quit playing, played some CSS and back to Bioshock, since then no sfx..

[methylbenzoate]

Maybe try uninstalling the Audigy 2 ZS drivers, install the newest ones again, and try the game again. You should be able to use EAX just fine too.

Do you have these drivers, assuming 32-bit XP:

http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/download.asp?MainCategory=1&nRegionFK=&nCountryFK=&nLanguageFK=&sOSName=Windows+XP&region=1&Product_Name=Audigy+2+ZS&Product_ID=4915&modelnumber=&driverlang=1033&OS=10&drivertype=0&x=22&y=12

[Mysky]

Maybe try uninstalling the Audigy 2 ZS drivers, install the newest ones again, and try the game again. You should be able to use EAX just fine too.

Do you have these drivers, assuming 32-bit XP:

http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/download.asp?MainCategory=1&nRegionFK=&nCountryFK=&nLanguageFK=&sOSName=Windows+XP&region=1&Product_Name=Audigy+2+ZS&Product_ID=4915&modelnumber=&driverlang=1033&OS=10&drivertype=0&x=22&y=12

Of course. Same drivers.

[Hadrian]

Tried the beta ones they released recently? Also IIRC I had some problems with my Audigy SE that I cured by lowering the sound acceleration, that might help.

[Mysky]

I'm not gonna work my ass off to get the game work for me. I pay, I play. I'll wait for a patch or just forget about the game. GG Publishers.

[bman69uk]

:mad: :mad: originally bought this game on the day of release, so had no ingame audio for almost a month now an im ****ing pissed off tried absoloutly everything even bought the collectors edition, 2k are ****ed if they think this is a BREAKTHRU game... tell you what 2k how about i break it thu your ****ing face. get an audio fix for vista or ill burn your ****ing hq down........... you really thing im going to roll back to xp eat ****!!!!!

[S_Bodi]

I originally posted in the technical support thread that my sound wouldn't work properly - I'd lose music/voice/main event sounds and also get crackling/bopping - whenever EAX was enabled in-game.
This was with an audigy2 ZS sound card in 5.1 mode.

Just to update, I have since purchased the AudioFX Pro 5+1 USB force headset. This installs a c-media 108 USB sound driver and uses software to simulate surround sound. The exact same problem as with the audigy2 persists. I have the latest drivers.

Hence the problem in my case is not driver or sound card specific.

Other specs:

Windows XP SP2
Asus P5B Deluxe mobo
Intel Core duo E6600
2gb of DDR800 RAM in dual-link
MSI ATI X1950XTX 512mb video card
Silverstone 650W PSU

Running at 1920x1200 with specs all to max

nothing overclocked, nothing overheating

[ArchangelJC]

Also got the Crackle sound problem on Vista.

I tried this solution after trying every other ones (even if it's not really for my problem) :

Originally Posted by Ainmer View Post
I was having the crash immediately after the Bioshock logo. I used Procmon to determine that immediately prior to the crash, it was accessing audio code. From there, I narrowed it down to the FMOD sound system.

To fix -

Edit your default.ini. Put a semi-colon in front of AudioDevice=FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem, and add the following line right after it:
AudioDevice=D3DDrv.D3DAudioDevice

After edits, that part of the config file should look like this:

;AudioDevice=FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem
AudioDevice=D3DDrv.D3DAudioDevice

Yay! I finally get to play!

I am using Realtek AC'97 Audio, fyi.

With original line AudioDevice=FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem, I've still got the Crackling sound problem everywhere in the game.

But with the AudioDevice=D3DDrv.D3DAudioDevice line, sound is perfect in the menu, intro video and opening, but as soon as the game start (fall into the water) sound just disappear. Strange.

I'm using NVIDIA nForce Audio sound drivers.

[MoparManiac78]

I'm also having the crackling/Missing audio problem. With me, If I have the sound set to Quad or Surround, I have audio in the menus, intro and opening cutscene, but not in game. With it on any other setting, I have sound everywhere just with that god awful crackling. I have a Sound Blaster Live! 24 Bit, All the latest drivers, directx, yada yada, tried many of the .ini tweaks, so far nothing has made the slightest difference. Also tried win 2000 comp mode and xp comp mode. No luck.

Sean

[ArchangelJC]

Oops, forgot to give my specs :

Windows Vista Pro 32 bits
Asus A8N5X NVIDIA Socket 939 ATX Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 2.20 Ghz CPU
2 gigs of DDR1 RAM (4x 512mb dual-linked)
GeForce 7600 GT 256MB video card

[Osp42]

I'm also having the crackling/Missing audio problem. With me, If I have the sound set to Quad or Surround, I have audio in the menus, intro and opening cutscene, but not in game. With it on any other setting, I have sound everywhere just with that god awful crackling. I have a Sound Blaster Live! 24 Bit, All the latest drivers, directx, yada yada, tried many of the .ini tweaks, so far nothing has made the slightest difference. Also tried win 2000 comp mode and xp comp mode. No luck.

SeanSean, would you give something a try for me? Go to your Start Menu, find Windows Media Center under All Programs and run it. When it asks, choose Express Setup. Once it's done (it takes only a few seconds), quit out and try BioShock again with the settings that give you crackling.

[CreepyD]

Running the MCE shortcut, or running through media center itself made no difference for me, during that attempt or following attempts running it without MCE.
Just back from hol, and can't believe there's not a patch, it's been a whole month now.
I've tried every single piece of advice on this forum, and some from other sources too, nothing works.
I'm not gonna reinstall XP (essentially mess up my nicely running vista pc) just in case that might fix it. Every other game/software runs perfectly.

[Mysky]

Hm, sounds work again after reinstalling. Wonder when they are broken again

[daddy-o]

i too experience static and pops, but only when i turn EAX on. when off, no problem.

i have a sound blaster audigy

[GFree]

Running the MCE shortcut, or running through media center itself made no difference for me, during that attempt or following attempts running it without MCE.
Just back from hol, and can't believe there's not a patch, it's been a whole month now.
I've tried every single piece of advice on this forum, and some from other sources too, nothing works.
I'm not gonna reinstall XP (essentially mess up my nicely running vista pc) just in case that might fix it. Every other game/software runs perfectly.
Same with me (except I didn't get a holiday :( ).

Vista's working fine for me too, it's just this single game that's got problems.

[pR3d@t0r]

Think i have a solution for the looping sound.(don't know if it has been posted)
Just lower the graphics ingame ; mine were all off, "Force lighting"( or something like that, just above the Enable DX10) was ON and actor detail was at medium.( didn't do nothing else )
Well at least 95% of the looping sound was gone.
The game doesn't look good but at least i could finish it.:)

[MoparManiac78]

Sean, would you give something a try for me? Go to your Start Menu, find Windows Media Center under All Programs and run it. When it asks, choose Express Setup. Once it's done (it takes only a few seconds), quit out and try BioShock again with the settings that give you crackling.

Tried, still no luck :) Thanks though, always ready to try one more thing!

[Spite]

For those of you with onboard Realtek HD.

I've had the same problems with sound not working after the intro. Im no expert at getting things to work but after messing about in the Realtek HD Audio manager I found that if you click on the 'Default Format' tab then select the default format at 16bits, 48000 Hz (DVD quality) the ingame sound is restored.

Been playing for the past 2 hours without any probs.

Let me know how you get on.

[Osp42]

Tried, still no luck :) Thanks though, always ready to try one more thing!Have you tried the MCE shortcut method that Blah72 suggested? It worked for him and me. http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=209234&postcount=123

[MoparManiac78]

Have you tried the MCE shortcut method that Blah72 suggested? It worked for him and me. http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=209234&postcount=123

Yep, tried that one too. However, I have solved the prob. Just decided to setup a dual boot with Win XP. Solved all my probs!

[au games]

hi after all the research/troubleshooting with no luck finding a solution and being really annoyed i was playing with all the crap slap/crackle/pop/hiss sound when i decided to change the graphics setting because computer has been have a lot of graphic problems since i put the useless windows vista on anyway i have disabled all graphics options in the game which resolted in perfect sound in the game but stuters when loading my computer then crashed with a lot of lines and reset but that is the problem i have been having with a lot of games.
ps fixed when im up to hephaestus.
after going back into game after reboot setting set to
windows mode off
force global lighting off
hope this helps.

amd 3200 athlon 64bit
gigabyte ga-k8vt800
sound disabled realtek upgraded to creative x-fi for bioshock $125
radeon x1950 pro iceq3 512 agp $265 for bioshock
windows vista home premium
2gig ram

[ragedriven]

Realtek HD audio drivers - R1.77 (9/17/07) (ftp://202.65.194.211/pc/audio/Vista_R177.zip)

[ragedriven]

Nvidia Forceware 169.69 (9/17/07) (http://evga.com/8800driver/)

[Unseen]

For those of you with onboard Realtek HD.

I've had the same problems with sound not working after the intro. Im no expert at getting things to work but after messing about in the Realtek HD Audio manager I found that if you click on the 'Default Format' tab then select the default format at 16bits, 48000 Hz (DVD quality) the ingame sound is restored.

Been playing for the past 2 hours without any probs.

Let me know how you get on.

Hey that works for me, now it's a matter of finding time to play it

[iPablos]

another whit this problem.

athlon 64 3500+
asus a8n sli
geforce 8800 gts 320
realtek ac97 onboard
windows vista 64 bit

[TheDon1]

i have the same problem,no sound in the menu and no plasmid sound but some sound is working, i even spent £400 upgrading my PC to play this game and upgraded from xp to vista. i have spent hours on the 'workarounds' in this thread and still the game wont play without jerky sound, it will play in defaulf res with windows 2000 compatibility mode on fine with only the sligtest sound glitch but when i try to change res it just crashes .i want full res :(


IMO we shoulnt have to mess about with a game to get it to play when it says on the front 'GAMES FOR WINOWS' :eek:

my system is:
Vista ultimate x64
A8N32 SLi deluxe with onboard sound (realtek AC'97 Audio)
4800+ AMD64 X2
EVGA 8800GTS KO 320MB
2GB Corsair XMSpro
OCZ 600W PSU

latest bios,sound and grahics drivers

[iPablos]

i try evrything but nothing... please 2k i need a patch!

[Muk]

IT HAS BEEN A MONTH AND YOU STILL HAVEN"T FIXED THIS PROBLEM!!!
Tried all the fixes on this board. When running in compatibility mode, just get a black screen. Tried the new Realtek drivers released 2 days ago.

System:
Vista 32bit
Realtek HD audio
Core 2 Duo @ 3ghz
2GB Ram
8800GTX

[Punisher!|ITA]

Same problem with RealTelk ALC850 and Vista... tried and updated EVERYTHING... nothing changed!

[Punisher!|ITA]

*** People the "Windows 2000 Compatibility REALLY reduces a lot the issue here!!! ***

Before the game was almast unplayable because of sound crackling, now it isn't!!!

I couldn't understand why you applied that to "-MCE" link, it is the same if you do it on standard link\.exe!

[Punisher!|ITA]

LOL! NOPE! Delete my previous post! They were fixed in the menu but NO SOUND at all in game!!!

[GFree]

Same problem with RealTelk ALC850 and Vista... tried and updated EVERYTHING... nothing changed!
Stop trying for now. Just be patient and wait for some updated drivers.

At least I hope the sound issues can be fixed with drivers; I've only played the demo and won't be expecting a patch for the demo.

[slayersteve]

Someone suggested (in this forum/thread or another) downloading FMOD and OpenAL and I also loaded up the latest Realtek HD drivers (at least latest as of then, 1.76, they are now up to 1.77).

Then I set my sound to DVD quality (up one from CD quality) within Windoze and set EAX and Reverb ON (yes, on) within the game.

Doing all of these seems to have fixed it. Played thru the entire demo without a hitch (btw - wow, I'll be getting this one for sure...)
I did some of the ini and reg edits too, but they did nothing (for me anyway) so I reset all back to default.



Specs (that matter anyway) -
Foxconn P35A-S mobo with onboard Realtex HD
8800 GTS 360mb using 163.44 (? doing this from work... whatever the latest beta is, that's what I'm using)
VISTA 64



FMOD Ex (d/l appropriate package)
http://www.fmod.org/index.php/download

OpenAL package
http://developer.creative.com/articles/article.asp?cat=1&sbcat=31&top=38&aid=46&file=oalinst.exe

Realtex HD drivers
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#High%20Definition%20Audio%20Codecs

[Punisher!|ITA]

Someone suggested (in this forum/thread or another) downloading FMOD and OpenAL and I also loaded up the latest Realtek HD drivers (at least latest as of then, 1.76, they are now up to 1.77).

Then I set my sound to DVD quality (up one from CD quality) within Windoze and set EAX and Reverb ON (yes, on) within the game.

Doing all of these seems to have fixed it. Played thru the entire demo without a hitch (btw - wow, I'll be getting this one for sure...)
I did some of the ini and reg edits too, but they did nothing (for me anyway) so I reset all back to default.



Specs (that matter anyway) -
Foxconn P35A-S mobo with onboard Realtex HD
8800 GTS 360mb using 163.44 (? doing this from work... whatever the latest beta is, that's what I'm using)
VISTA 64



FMOD Ex (d/l appropriate package)
http://www.fmod.org/index.php/download

OpenAL package
http://developer.creative.com/articles/article.asp?cat=1&sbcat=31&top=38&aid=46&file=oalinst.exe

Realtex HD drivers
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#High%20Definition%20Audio%20Codecs


It has already been stated that 1.77 drivers (ALONE) solve the problem with RealTek HD Audio Codecs.

[iPablos]

and the realtek ac97??? i have this... no a realtek hd...

[Punisher!|ITA]

and the realtek ac97??? i have this... no a realtek hd...

Me too and even with latest driver the problem IS PRESENT.

Please write an e-mail at pctech@realtek.com.tw describing the problem and attaching your hardware configuration (dxdiag.txt should be ok), so they can solve it.

Goodbye!

[ilizaros]

I have still the same sound problem, also no sound after menu. I have installed the latest Realtek driver that came out yesterday, and all other drivers are up to date. I havent done yet anything else like modifying the ini. file, but ill check that later. 2K Games are a bunch of idiots when releasing this buggy game so early you ****ing morons.


Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750
Club3D Geforce 8800 GTS 640MB
3 gt Ram at 800 mhz
Asus P5KSE
Realtek HD onboard

..AND an external amplifier with stereo output to two studio speakers

[slayersteve]

It has already been stated that 1.77 drivers (ALONE) solve the problem with RealTek HD Audio Codecs.

I missed that. where was that stated?

[Hackez]

I missed that. where was that stated?

Just snag the latest drivers from here:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#High%20Definition%20Audio%20Codecs

For a majority of Realtek HD Audio Users, myself included, this latest release seems tor esolve all of our problems. Props to Realtek!

[slayersteve]

I do have it working but I'm only at 1.76. Although 1.76 didn't work until I installed the FMOD Ex package and the latest OpenAL package.

so, so far, for the Vista 64/Realtek HD combo...
1.77 = works
1.76+FMOD Ex+OpenAL = works



Those of you who still don't seem to be getting it to work have you tried the FMOD Ex and OpenAL idea?



Just snag the latest drivers from here:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#High%20Definition%20Audio%20Codecs

For a majority of Realtek HD Audio Users, myself included, this latest release seems tor solve all of our problems. Props to Realtek!

[ilizaros]

Those of you who still don't seem to be getting it to work have you tried the FMOD Ex and OpenAL idea?

Well yeah I tried that, also OpenAL and FMOD, the sound worked fine, no blurring and popping. I played for 10 minutes and then the game crashes to blue screen of death. Maybe just overheating, well cooled down and tried again.. no sound!! WTF??! I just had sound and the next time i play it is gone? I'm pretty fustrated now.

My specs is bout two posts upwards^

[Punisher!|ITA]

I do have it working but I'm only at 1.76. Although 1.76 didn't work until I installed the FMOD Ex package and the latest OpenAL package.

so, so far, for the Vista 64/Realtek HD combo...
1.77 = works
1.76+FMOD Ex+OpenAL = works



Those of you who still don't seem to be getting it to work have you tried the FMOD Ex and OpenAL idea?


I have a not-HD RealTek AC'97 and I tried to install both OpenAL and FMOD Ex... nothing changed... (latest drivers, 6251)... still hard popping\crackling.

[Tech John]

i have the same problem,no sound in the menu and no plasmid sound but some sound is working, i even spent £400 upgrading my PC to play this game and upgraded from xp to vista. i have spent hours on the 'workarounds' in this thread and still the game wont play without jerky sound, it will play in defaulf res with windows 2000 compatibility mode on fine with only the sligtest sound glitch but when i try to change res it just crashes .i want full res :(


IMO we shoulnt have to mess about with a game to get it to play when it says on the front 'GAMES FOR WINOWS' :eek:

my system is:
Vista ultimate x64
A8N32 SLi deluxe with onboard sound (realtek AC'97 Audio)
4800+ AMD64 X2
EVGA 8800GTS KO 320MB
2GB Corsair XMSpro
OCZ 600W PSU

latest bios,sound and grahics drivers

If you are missing sound from gameplay try the following to fix it.

Right click on the game shortcut on the desktop and choose properties.
Then choose the "Compatibility" tab.
Check the box labeled "Run this program in compatibility mode for".
from the drop down menu please choose "Windows XP SP2".
Now apply the changes.
Right click on the shortcut for the game again and choose to run as admin.

If you do not have a shortcut on the desktop, navigate to the following and right click on the Bioshock.exe file.

Local Drive C:/Program Files/2K Games/Bioshock/Builds/Release

[etruscan]

I get noises dropping out (i.e. not audible) during fight sequences when there's a lot of action; sometimes it stutters and hangs for maybe 10 seconds (accompanied with the screen freezing and my PC becoming unresponsive) before waking up again. My system:

Yamaha SW1000XG ASIO sound card
Intel Cure 2 Duo E6750 running at 3GHz
XFX 7900GTX 512MB PCI-E
2GB RAM
Windows XP 32-bit
Bioshock retail edition

The sound card is geared towards music production and not gaming, which might not help (plus the XP drivers haven't been updated since 2002!) but I thought I'd stick this on the board anyway . . .

[Tech John]

I get noises dropping out (i.e. not audible) during fight sequences when there's a lot of action; sometimes it stutters and hangs for maybe 10 seconds (accompanied with the screen freezing and my PC becoming unresponsive) before waking up again. My system:

Yamaha SW1000XG ASIO sound card
Intel Cure 2 Duo E6750 running at 3GHz
XFX 7900GTX 512MB PCI-E
2GB RAM
Windows XP 32-bit
Bioshock retail edition

The sound card is geared towards music production and not gaming, which might not help (plus the XP drivers haven't been updated since 2002!) but I thought I'd stick this on the board anyway . . .

You could try to look for some third party sound drivers although these are not always stable.

What graphics card driver versions are you running?

[xman1]

You know - all I see here is one track minds about having the latest audio driver, etc. Sometimes it is not always best to have the 'latest' driver rev. I am running MCE 2005 and couldn't stop the crackling for the life of me, so I solved my crackling sound issues on my Realtek HD by loading the original WHQL drivers provided by ASUS for my board. They are old - like rev 1.29 when I think the latest with was 1.68 (1.68 caused all my headaches), but all crackling stopped after loading the old 1.29 and I can enjoy the game. EAX still has issues, but that's not surprising - EAX has always had issues ever the years, but the normal in-game sound with reverb active works fine for once - both in movies and in-game. I haven't heard a crackle since installing the old rev's and I run with quad stereo active.

Just my 2 cents to this thread.

-X

[jus71n]

You could try to look for some third party sound drivers although these are not always stable.

What graphics card driver versions are you running?


Here's a better idea........ Maybe 2K should just fix this **** game so people who have paid good money for it can actually play it with sound.

Maybe we all dont want to re-direct shortcuts, change compatibility modes and source 3rd party drivers. MAYBE WE WANT TO JUST PUT IN THE DISC, INSTALL AND PLAY!!!! no fuss just get what we paid for!!!!!!

is that really too much to ask?

[Theos]

right on Jus7in! you said it man...give us a playable game with minimal fuss

[iPablos]

"Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you within 48 hours.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you."

this is the 2k mail for my protest... hope

[EvilPetRock]

I am not missing any audio from any of the splicers or bad guys, I am missing the following audio

- Intro to rapture movie, no audio (was there in the demo tho)
- No Idle audio (groaning) from the big daddies or little sisters (singing/complaining) (was in the demo)
- Conversation with Ryan (no voice from him, able to hear the other things happening)

I am able to hear the splicers idle speaking, and all other noises, cameras, firing, reloading, with no hissing / popping that other people are reporting.

I installed via Steam, and had the demo installed before, it seemed to remove it tho, and I am not able to download the bioshock demo again. (I kinda want to look at the config files in it and see if anything is different)...

Direct X Diagnostic File

http://mydndtools.googlepages.com/DxDiag.txt

[CreepyD]

Just tried the latest geforce drivers (163.69), and it did make the game much smoother - However when there's action, the sound still stutters causing the framerate to grind to a halt as before.

[Tech Dan]

Try verifying the cache integrity via properties through steam pet rock?

Have you also tried the other suggestions made prior to your post in this thread?

Please let me know what you have tried and how you get on with verifying the cache

[kusanagi_seed]

if using vista you might not have sound because the current creative drivers for vista are not complete for directsound 3d, you should try to install ALchemy from creative and see if this helps those of you with no sound, also make sure that all ON BOARD SOUND IS OFF, leaving this on makes the mother-board default to your onboard card regardless if there is another card in there or not, maybe not on all occasions but with incorrect drivers and and sound intensive games you can almost put money on it

http://www.soundblaster.com/alchemy/

hope this helps someone out there i had to do it in order to get CS:S to run with 7.1

take care and please pass it on if it works

..::System Settings::..
Windows Vista Ultimate 64
Abit an8-32x w/ 8gig DDR & AMD Opteron 185 2.6GHz dual-core
2x XFX GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB 384-bit
Creative X-FI Elite Pro w/ Creative 7.1 Speakers

[EvilPetRock]

Tried verifying the cache integrity via Steam before the dxdiag, nothing was downloaded, so I deleted bioshock and am downloading it again. Kinda sucks when my 1 Mb Connection is only downloading @ 100k.... gonna take 8 hours.

I tried changing some of the settings that were described earlier, and when I changed it to 5.1 it changed some of the audio settings on my comp requiring me to reinstall my sound drivers...

Changing from FMOD to DxSound will not work as the sound files are encoded in FMOD and other than the bik files there was no sound. I was just posting that I was getting partial sound, where I did not seem to miss any during the demo.

[ut2k4wikichici]

For those of you with EAX or OpenAL soundcards.

Obviously you are having issues.

Just disable EAX and Reverb. (Since i have a Audigy 2 ZS i enabled Pro Logic, i suggest you do too, great sound renderer)

Fixes everything.

No more clicks,pops,crashes,slowdowns or lost sounds.

Also the game runs very fast and smooth.

The only other game with advanced audio features (EAX x.x and OpenAL) like this (that has the exact same problems) is Colin McRae DiRT (RIP)

Seems these latest multiplatform, Vista/XP (EAX and OpenAL) games have issues.

Alot of issues.

Doubt 2K will get of their ass and actually fix the issues (not just with the sound but all the rest)

Instead we get ****ty news about some attention grabbing dick that drew BS on a Etcha-Sketch..........

Whoops freaking do !

Anyway, i am going to get back to playing BioShock,

[Punisher!|ITA]

For those of you with EAX or OpenAL soundcards.

Obviously you are having issues.

Just disable EAX and Reverb. (Since i have a Audigy 2 ZS i enabled Pro Logic, i suggest you do too, great sound renderer)

Fixes everything.

No more clicks,pops,crashes,slowdowns or lost sounds.

Also the game runs very fast and smooth.

The only other game with advanced audio features (EAX x.x and OpenAL) like this (that has the exact same problems) is Colin McRae DiRT (RIP)

Seems these latest multiplatform, Vista/XP (EAX and OpenAL) games have issues.

Alot of issues.

Doubt 2K will get of their ass and actually fix the issues (not just with the sound but all the rest)

Instead we get ****ty news about some attention grabbing dick that drew BS on a Etcha-Sketch..........

Whoops freaking do !

Anyway, i am going to get back to playing BioShock,

I have RealTek ALC850 audio codec and in Windows XP all problems are solved just diabling EAX, while in Vista IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to have a perfect audio (or crackling or no sound).

Bye.

[Punisher!|ITA]

Maybe we all dont want to re-direct shortcuts, change compatibility modes and source 3rd party drivers. MAYBE WE WANT TO JUST PUT IN THE DISC, INSTALL AND PLAY!!!! no fuss just get what we paid for!!!!!!

is that really too much to ask?


It seems yeah. Just don't buy anymore 2KGames.

[sazxus]

after a week of wanting to throw my vista machine out the window i finaly have sound.

I tried everything on this fourm with no success.

Read somewhere else that GoM player could cause issues with vista. so removed GoM player and got Vista codecs from

http://www.digital-digest.com/software/Vista_Codec_Package.html

Restarted my machine and after a week of trouble shooting this fixxed it for me.

AMD 64X2 dual core 4400+ 2.31 GHz
2k ram.
Vista home premium 32-bit OS
Sound blaster X-FI xtreme audio
Gforce 8600 GT

Hope someone else lucks out and this works for them.

Sazxus. . .

[Tech Dan]

Have you tried installing the open al 1.1 libraries punisher?

You can get them from the following link:

http://developer.creative.com/articles/article.asp?cat=1&sbcat=31&top=38&aid=46

It has been known to cure a lot of crackling issues. After installing try the game with and without eax and also try all possible combinations with reverb on and off also

[Tech Dan]

Ah sazxus,

We are glad that uninstalling Gomplayer has helped you fix your problem.

The removal of this program has solved a few issues tonight already, so for those of you who still have any sound issues please try looking for it in remove programs and remove it if possible

[Xamus]

Couldn't get EAX to work in Vista 32bit or 64bit. Also got a lot of pop and crackles. Unistalled Open AL and all of a sudden it worked. Worked fine in XP but only when I did fresh install of creative software and drivers from CD. Updating it caused it to stop working. I am not entirely sure that I am actually hearing EAX but the button is highled even when I restart. My system is

5.1 surround sound system (not using digital out)
AMD Athlon X2 4200+
Asus A8VN-CSM has NVIDIA nforce 430 socket 939
Sata and IDE hard drives
2gb memory
Creative Xfi fatality pro card
Evga Nvidia 7600GT 256meg PCIexpress 16

[ut2k4wikichici]

All i care about is the extra FPS and smoothness.

I am not going back to OpenAL or EAX in BioShock untill they release a fix or one of you guys discover a workaround.

I am in XP btw.

Only 3rd part codec is DiVX

[iPablos]

i have a videocard Dx10 and i want absolutly play the game whit this. reinstalling Xp it's not a solution for me. i want a patch.

[Tech John]

i have a videocard Dx10 and i want absolutly play the game whit this. reinstalling Xp it's not a solution for me. i want a patch.

What is the problem you are having and what have you already tried?

[iPablos]

i tried evrything. the problem it's the famouse crackles and pops... i have a amd 64 3500+, 2 gb ram, asus a8n sli, geforce 8800 gts 320 and realtek ac97 onboard (not hd).
i'm playng the demo in xp whit my last videocard geforce 6600 and playng the game good.

[Punisher!|ITA]

Have you tried installing the open al 1.1 libraries punisher?

You can get them from the following link:

http://developer.creative.com/articles/article.asp?cat=1&sbcat=31&top=38&aid=46

It has been known to cure a lot of crackling issues. After installing try the game with and without eax and also try all possible combinations with reverb on and off also

I have the latest OpenAL Libraries downloaded from the official website!

[Punisher!|ITA]

i tried evrything. the problem it's the famouse crackles and pops... i have a amd 64 3500+, 2 gb ram, asus a8n sli, geforce 8800 gts 320 and realtek ac97 onboard (not hd).
i'm playng the demo in xp whit my last videocard geforce 6600 and playng the game good.

Yeah same here... tried everything but it seems that with the AC '97 (not HD) codec there is still no chance.

[iPablos]

i tried whit post mail for 2k and realtek... really i tried evreything

[Punisher!|ITA]

i tried whit post mail for 2k and realtek... really i tried evreything

Me too :(.

[da96mdn]

Just bought a new computer from DELL with the "SigmaTel High Definition Audio Codec" as internal soundcard and Alta Vista Home edition installed as OS. Think I tried everything now, looking around in different forums, tried different solutions. The sound just doesn't work in the BioShock game, but it works without any problem in the intro-video?? I give up, guess I have to buy a new sound card and disable this interal crap sound card. :(

[Tech John]

Just bought a new computer from DELL with the "SigmaTel High Definition Audio Codec" as internal soundcard and Alta Vista Home edition installed as OS. Think I tried everything now, looking around in different forums, tried different solutions. The sound just doesn't work in the BioShock game, but it works without any problem in the intro-video?? I give up, guess I have to buy a new sound card and disable this interal crap sound card. :(

What have you tried to solve the issue?

[CillitBang]

Hi!!

i am from germany so sorry for my english^^.
i have the snap crackle pop sound problem!! like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty9-SnDP8xI

i tried evrything what are in this thread...
at last i download open al 1.1 libraries punisher and install it.
When EAX is off in the game options i have NO SOUND in the game.
When EAX is on i have the crackle pop problem....
I am so ****t up about the game -.- i have payed 39€ for it!! and i can not play!!
Please you 2K tech dudes do not give us more BLA BLA...FIX this Sound problem with a Patch!!!

"Games for Windows"....haha....


Windows Vista Home Premium 32 Bit
AMD 64 3400+
1,5Gb ram
C-Media PCI audio Xear3D
NVIDIA GeForce 7600GS

and "NO" i am not gonna reinstall XP!!!!

[iPablos]

Hi!!

i am from germany so sorry for my english^^.
i have the snap crackle pop sound problem!! like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty9-SnDP8xI

i tried evrything what are in this thread...
at last i download open al 1.1 libraries punisher and install it.
When EAX is off in the game options i have NO SOUND in the game.
When EAX is on i have the crackle pop problem....
I am so ****t up about the game -.- i have payed 39€ for it!! and i can not play!!
Please you 2K tech dudes do not give us more BLA BLA...FIX this Sound problem with a Patch!!!

"Games for Windows"....haha....


Windows Vista Home Premium 32 Bit
AMD 64 3400+
1,5Gb ram
C-Media PCI audio Xear3D
NVIDIA GeForce 7600GS

and "NO" i am not gonna reinstall XP!!!!

quote evrything... the patch now O_o

[abdallah]

Core2 Quad @ 2.67 GHz
4 GB RAM
Onboard soundcard (MSI NEO-F S-775 motherboard)
GeF 8800 GTS 320 MB
Vista Ultimate 64 bit
ALL updates, drivers etc new. New machine, so I don't have anything else installed.

Game crashes at startup in fullscreen but works for a little while @ DX 10 then crashes in windowed mode. No sound at all after the main menu. When I run it in DX 9 mode, there are no crashes, but the sound still doesn't work.

[Tech Dan]

Hello Pablos,

Have you tried reducing the channels in the default ini file located within the bioshock release folder?

- Default is 'C:\Program Files\2K Games\Bioshock\Release'
- Right-click 'Bioshock.ini' and 'Default.ini' and uncheck 'Read-Only' if checked
- Open default.ini with Notepad or another text editor
- Under '[FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem]' change 'MaxChannels=XXX' to 'MaxChannels=32', leave MaxStreams and StreamBufferSize alone
- Save, and then perform this same change to Bioshock.ini as well if possible

Please let me know if this helps with the crackle pop issue

[iPablos]

nothing... :(

[iPablos]

i have noted that problem begin in the elevator scenes... first dont do it.

p.s. sorry for my bad english... i'm italian and i dont speek english

[magoo]

For those of you with EAX or OpenAL soundcards.

Obviously you are having issues.

Just disable EAX and Reverb. (Since i have a Audigy 2 ZS i enabled Pro Logic, i suggest you do too, great sound renderer)

Fixes everything.

No more clicks,pops,crashes,slowdowns or lost sounds.

Also the game runs very fast and smooth.

The only other game with advanced audio features (EAX x.x and OpenAL) like this (that has the exact same problems) is Colin McRae DiRT (RIP)

Seems these latest multiplatform, Vista/XP (EAX and OpenAL) games have issues.

Alot of issues.

Doubt 2K will get of their ass and actually fix the issues (not just with the sound but all the rest)

Instead we get ****ty news about some attention grabbing dick that drew BS on a Etcha-Sketch..........

Whoops freaking do !

Anyway, i am going to get back to playing BioShock,

What good is it to have a soundcard with EAX 5.0 if you cant use it.
I am running Vista 64 bit and cannot use the enhansed sound effects or my game locks up to a hard reset. This is entirely unacceptable. Dont tell me this was not known in testing, my system is not out of the ordinary for many enthusiasts. Its deplorable to have to run a crippled game because it was released before it was ready for DX10 and Vista.
Im very disappointed in this stuff......I hope Valve and Crytek do a better job with their upcoming releases.

[magoo]

Have you tried installing the open al 1.1 libraries punisher?

You can get them from the following link:

http://developer.creative.com/articles/article.asp?cat=1&sbcat=31&top=38&aid=46

It has been known to cure a lot of crackling issues. After installing try the game with and without eax and also try all possible combinations with reverb on and off also

What a load of dung. You guys need to fix your game. You advertise "Optimized for EAX" and "you can only get the best sound in Bioshock with X-Fi" and the effects crash the system.

Huh???? Total Goat-Rope.

[Adabiviak]

I just upgraded my processor and motherboard from P43.8EE/Asus P5WD Premium to E6870/Asus P5K-WS. Same hard drives, Windows installation, associated peripherals, etc. The game was flawless before and now I'm experiencing some stuttering. I'm on my fourth run through the game so I'm not hellbent to get it fixed, but if I make any progress I'll post it here.

[PrivateJoker]

Excellent idea, thanks for taking some incentive on this subject. I will however have a good review through the rest of the forums for more information about this.

The more constructive the information presented here, the easily it is to report this and try to get an answer regarding these problems.

I am having sound problems in the Xbox 360 version of the game. Its perfect for the entire game, except in Pointe Prometheus all of the upgrade/item booths does not work, there is no or very muted sound effects. This is only a problem in Pointe Prometheus, and has occured 3 out of 3 times on my play throughs of the game. Thanks for looking into this,

PrivateJoker

[nordicsnoopy]

Intel Core2Quad
4GB RAM
Gigabyte motherboard
Onboard Relatek HD Audio
768Mb ASUS Geoforce 8800 Ultra
Vista Ultimate 64Bit

Latest Nvidia Drivers (checked as at 22/9/07)
Latest Realtek Drivers (checked as at 22/9/07)

I am having the missing sound issues as well.

I switched off the reverb and eax. I have decreased the amount of sounds in the default.ini as suggested.

Nothing fixed the problem. When only a couple of ambient sounds etc are playing it all works. But when I get into a battle, lots of interactivity (standard parts of the game, not unusual scenarios), sounds will drop out, or simply not play at all.

Honestly 2K, how could you release this game in the state that its in?

[CreepyD]

The sound stuttering causing lower than usual framerate and occasionaly control locking appears to have one thing in common, athlon 3xxx+ processors, usually on asus a8n type motherboards.
People on different setups seem to have slightly different problems, e.g. stuttering with eax, no sound at all without eax.
I have the athlon 3700+ and asus a8n and no matter what I change, the stuttering is always the same.
Tried starting up the sgame with the switch -nosound, then I get twice the frame rate and no game stuttering - obviously there's no sound then, but it proves it's a sound problem and not some other driver causing it.
Sound card doesn't appear to be the problem, with people having problems on various onboard cards, audigy, and X-Fi cards.

[iPablos]

the patch it's solution

[da96mdn]

What have you tried to solve the issue?

Re-installations of the game, update of sound card driver, edit of the default.ini file (reduce the values of MaxChannels,MaxStreams,StreamBufferSize), checked around in different forums and tried other audio settings people tried in this file, update to directx 10, change of different sound settings in game options and restart the game, but no change, the sound only exists in the first start menu of the game and intro video, but when the game actually starts there is no sound at all. Is there anything more I can try out to fix this?

thanks

[Punisher!|ITA]

Re-installations of the game, update of sound card driver, edit of the default.ini file (reduce the values of MaxChannels,MaxStreams,StreamBufferSize), checked around in different forums and tried other audio settings people tried in this file, update to directx 10, change of different sound settings in game options and restart the game, but no change, the sound only exists in the first start menu of the game and intro video, but when the game actually starts there is no sound at all. Is there anything more I can try out to fix this?

thanks


Waiting for the ******* patch!

[Dorothy]

HI People

Well,I think it's time for a class action lawsuit against 2K Games. If we can gather enough support from members and their friends ,we should be able to come up with a contingency plan to deal with these people who have obviously vioalted all of our rights by releasing a product which is not marketable,even by a long stretch of the imagination.

If I buy a car and it fails as soon as I drive it, I am entitled to a new one or a refund...Is 2k games immune to the law? I think NOT ! Clearly they have been dishonest and deceiptful in their dealings with the public in leading us to believe that their product is a viable one. It is NOT.

I have two friends here who are both lawyers (one is a QC) and one of whom purchased this game and has experienced the exact same problems we all are. He even bought a Core 2 duo with all the latest and greatest specs JUST for this game! These guys are Pissed! They'll take it to the High court if necessary!

So come on people,let's hear your opinions and start DOING something about these corporate LEECHES siphonning money from hard working people.

[Miain]

HI People

Well,I think it's time for a class action lawsuit against 2K Games. If we can gather enough support from members and their friends ,we should be able to come up with a contingency plan to deal with these people who have obviously vioalted all of our rights by releasing a product which is not marketable,even by a long stretch of the imagination.

If I buy a car and it fails as soon as I drive it, I am entitled to a new one or a refund...Is 2k games immune to the law? I think NOT ! Clearly they have been dishonest and deceiptful in their dealings with the public in leading us to believe that their product is a viable one. It is NOT.

I have two friends here who are both lawyers (one is a QC) and one of whom purchased this game and has experienced the exact same problems we all are. He even bought a Core 2 duo with all the latest and greatest specs JUST for this game! These guys are Pissed! They'll take it to the High court if necessary!

So come on people,let's hear your opinions and start DOING something about these corporate LEECHES siphonning money from hard working people.
Grow up.



I've no sound when I run the game in DX10 mode(After the plane crashes), its fine if I run it under Windows XP2 compatability.

1) Tried reinstalling game
2) Updated drivers
3) Tried disabling Reverb

E6600 @ 2.4ghz
Nvidia 8800gts 320mb
2GB ram - PC5300
Onboard realtek sound

DxDiag:http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/11418/DxDiag-txt.html

[iPablos]

HI People

Well,I think it's time for a class action lawsuit against 2K Games. If we can gather enough support from members and their friends ,we should be able to come up with a contingency plan to deal with these people who have obviously vioalted all of our rights by releasing a product which is not marketable,even by a long stretch of the imagination.

If I buy a car and it fails as soon as I drive it, I am entitled to a new one or a refund...Is 2k games immune to the law? I think NOT ! Clearly they have been dishonest and deceiptful in their dealings with the public in leading us to believe that their product is a viable one. It is NOT.

I have two friends here who are both lawyers (one is a QC) and one of whom purchased this game and has experienced the exact same problems we all are. He even bought a Core 2 duo with all the latest and greatest specs JUST for this game! These guys are Pissed! They'll take it to the High court if necessary!

So come on people,let's hear your opinions and start DOING something about these corporate LEECHES siphonning money from hard working people.

quote :mad:

[jeromewilson]

Well, seeing as this thread is the official sound related bug list I thought I should flag up the problem I'm having... No voiceovers, no subtitles and because a particular voiceover is a trigger to open a door in Hephaestus I'm stuck and can't get any further.

Tried absolutely everything. More info here:

http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12130

[EvilPetRock]

I originally downloaded the demo via steam, and enjoyed it thoroughly, I thought it looked like an amazing game.

I purchased the retail copy through steam as well (as it is cheaper than buying it at the store). During this upgrade / installation it removed my demo version (which I was not able to reinstall)

I had sounds (like splicers walking on ceilings, and muttering to themselves), but could not hear the idle animations of the Big Daddies and little sisters. I heard them for one level, but that was it, so I tried almost all of the solutions that were provided in this thread, and many others. So I deleted bioshock, and redownloaded it... Now it is working properly.

[Ric]

Just for info incase some of you are unaware.


This game uses EAX 5.0 and offers no EAX version toggle i.e. it sends the full EAX 5.0 calls to your system. If you do not have an EAX 5.0 capable system you will not be able to use EAX without cackles and pops.

Vista does not support EAX. Creative have developed a workaround called Alchemy that will convert EAX calls into OAL calls on the fly. This will allow XFI Vista users to play EAX games on Vista. It is XFI only.

If you have a stereo unit and it has DD Pro Logic I strongly recommend using this instead. Remember EAX is only a bunch of environmentall effects, 3D positioning is far more importan from a gamers perspective. Make sure you are first getting the best solution for your 3D postioning befor worrying about some extras like EAX.

[jwsg]

System: Vista 64 (4GB RAM) X-Fi Extreme Music (2.13.12 drivers)

My sound was working fine until today when I suddenly started getting:

Very distorted in-game sound with EAX selectedand then

Game loading freezing at Bioshock splash-screen (one core remains at 100%)I started to reverse each of the changes I had made recently, and noticed that the ADI Soundmax Driver (v61016260 for Vista) for my onboard AD1988 had also installed a "Host OpenAL (ADI)" program (which could be seen in the Uninstall Programs control).

Once this was removed this resolved the freeze and sound issues. :)
I assume it was clashing with the OpenAL libraries already installed.

Although this configuration is unusual and this might not help many people it does seem to confirm that freezing at the splash-screen is sound related.

[Adabiviak]

I downloaded and installed the XP dual core hotfix (linked to on a previous page - yes, I did wade through all 20+ pages of rants to find nuggets like this) and it fixed the problem somewhat. The sound is working, but a pitched battle will cause all sound to stop. Escaping to the menu and hacking games still make sound though. :confused: Anyway, further bulletins as events warrant.

[magoo]

Just for info incase some of you are unaware.


This game uses EAX 5.0 and offers no EAX version toggle i.e. it sends the full EAX 5.0 calls to your system. If you do not have an EAX 5.0 capable system you will not be able to use EAX without cackles and pops.

Vista does not support EAX. Creative have developed a workaround called Alchemy that will convert EAX calls into OAL calls on the fly. This will allow XFI Vista users to play EAX games on Vista. It is XFI only.

If you have a stereo unit and it has DD Pro Logic I strongly recommend using this instead. Remember EAX is only a bunch of environmentall effects, 3D positioning is far more importan from a gamers perspective. Make sure you are first getting the best solution for your 3D postioning befor worrying about some extras like EAX.

I am afraid you have the above all wrong, entirely.
Vista supports EAX, you do need an EAX compatable card to use it however,as stated.
Alchemy by Creative is for older games devised on Windows XP using other than Open GL for sound, ie its legacy, it will not help this game.
See below:http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/11/28/Vista_will_support_eax_after_all/
Alchemy has nothing to do with EAX:http://193.95.171.84/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=27,E=0000000000266230936,K=9601,Sxi=19,Case=ob j(28967),Kb=ww_english_add,VARSET=ws:http://us.creative.com/
This is bad information.
Note the following:http://193.95.171.84/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=27,E=0000000000266230936,K=9601,Sxi=19,Case=ob j(9286),Kb=ww_english_add,VARSET=ws:http://us.creative.com/

[magoo]

You also might want to read this:http://www.soundblaster.com/eax/gaming/gameindex.asp?gameID=70882
before you spew incorrect information.

[magoo]

The problem currently has nothing to do with does Vista support EAX, it has everything to do with a glitch in the game causing incompatability between the two and causing the game to freeze up.

This needs to be patched on the game end, not the Sound card or OS end.

[Finpete]

I played game about 30 minutes and later when i restart the game -sound were gone.. -Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit, Intel Core 2 Duo E6420, Asus P5K,
GeForce 8800gts 320mb and all newest drivers installed..:confused: :confused:

[Theos]

Welcome to the club finpete

[iPablos]

oh yes... welcome to the jungle... ;)

[magoo]

I played game about 30 minutes and later when i restart the game -sound were gone.. -Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit, Intel Core 2 Duo E6420, Asus P5K,
GeForce 8800gts 320mb and all newest drivers installed..:confused: :confused:

Look at your Audio settings in-game. Sometimes when you reenter the game, it gets reset to default and may be the problem.
You may need to reinstall your game or remove and reinstall your audio drivers.
I've had the sound go completely away with this darn game and had to reload my sound drivers.

Yes.....welcome to the club,dude.

[Wiestatv]

Ok, I bought Bioshock a couple of days ago and the sound wouldn't work after the the plane crashes. So, I thought something was wrong with the game so I brought it back and got a new one but it's still that same problem.

Yes, I have Vista and I know it has some bugs to work out on this game but I heard about "start win xp sp2 compatibility mode" or something of the sort so I looked up online how to do it and it said "To configure the compatibility mode for an application, just locate the installation directory and right click on the .exe" but I don't know where the "installation directory" is...

So, if someone can give me step by step instructions to do that, that would be great because I really want to play this game!

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you

[Finpete]

OK. IF everybody brough the game back where they got it and do it several times -> 2K losing reputation and money. So then it is not our problem...Hahahahahahaah:eek:

[iPablos]

tried whit petition?

[Para2normal]

I am sick to death of this, I only bought this game two days ago so expected any problems to have been addressed by now. Its very difficult to play FPS's which depend on your ability to locate your targets using both sight and sound when you have no sound. I have tried several of the fixes suggested by the obviously gifted amateurs on here but to no avail. At least they are putting some effort into this unlike the 2K tech team, whose answers are at best patronising. Here in the UK there is a consumer law known as "fit for purpose" and since this game does not fulfill the criteria I for one will be contacting my local trading standards officer tommorrow, I would reccomend everybody else in the UK does this and outside the UK I guess you have an equivelant, so do it.
I know many games are released needing patches but most do not make a game unplayable. The consumer is being treated with contempt here:cool:

[ut2k4wikichici]

Ahh well.

Looks like there is no way around this besides 2k actually making a patch (which i highly doubt they will do considering they have made bucket loads of cash and could not give a stuff)

Still getting the crackels,pops and lost sounds.

What good is EAX4.0/OpenAL (which my Audigy 2 ZS has) if i can not use it !

I though DiRT and GTA:SA where bad............. but BioShock takes the cake when it comes to audio problems.

Atleast in DiRT and SA when i disable EAX/OpenAL the games actually sound right (no crackles,pops or whatever)

BioShock still has horrible audio problems no matter what i do (everyone else has the same problem)

Considering this is not a engine problem (why ? because SC:DA,Airbourne run great with EAX/OpenAL enabled)
This should have been fixed in so called "testing" phase.

Obviously 2K just wanted this game out before Halo 3,UT3 and Crysis so they could maximize profits and minimize loss of targeted market (and lets not forget they can not give a hoot about us, X360 users and XP/Vista)

[iPablos]

it's a bad story... very bad

[Muk]

It has already been stated that 1.77 drivers (ALONE) solve the problem with RealTek HD Audio Codecs.

they do not. tried them on fresh install of vista, no luck.

[Muk]

If you are missing sound from gameplay try the following to fix it.

Right click on the game shortcut on the desktop and choose properties.
Then choose the "Compatibility" tab.
Check the box labeled "Run this program in compatibility mode for".
from the drop down menu please choose "Windows XP SP2".
Now apply the changes.
Right click on the shortcut for the game again and choose to run as admin.

If you do not have a shortcut on the desktop, navigate to the following and right click on the Bioshock.exe file.

Local Drive C:/Program Files/2K Games/Bioshock/Builds/Release

Problem with that is then we cant run the DX10 effects, which is a feature of the game that ppl with dx10 cards expect to get

[Miain]

Ahh well.

Looks like there is no way around this besides 2k actually making a patch (which i highly doubt they will do considering they have made bucket loads of cash and could not give a stuff))

I love how childish/stupid some people are :) Patience is an important thing in life.

[ArkanMech]

For my system there was no point downloading the latest drivers for the Realtek HD Audio as the ones I had installed for my Asus P5K from the Asus CD were the same version.

The Solution that worked for me was setting compatiblity to "Windows XP SP2" as soon as I clicked "Continue" I noticed the difference.

--------------------------------------------

Congratulations 2K on a totally amazing game, it's the best game I've seen or played in 20 years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:cool:

[Toohey]

For all you Vista 32 bit users with Realtek soundcards.

I had the error this morning whereby i had sound up until the intro then it just stopped, after much fiddling and reading through these forums this is what i have done.

1) Uninstalled my Realtek drivers.
2) Let windows search and find new one automatically (takes all of 1 minute)
3) Install the LATEST drivers. (Now this is where i went wrong, i went to ASUS website and downloaded the latest from there, only later did i realise they are only the R171 drivers. You will need the R177 from the Realtek website as these install some extra components at the end which the previos R171 ones did not do).
4) Installed oalinst.exe from the creative website (fixes some issues - not sure what but the link is posted earlier in this thread)
5) Went into Realtek centre and chose 16bits, 48000 Hz (DVD quality) from the menu (as another user posted - am sure others might work but the game is working so im not fiddling anymore).

Launch game and that should solve it.

To those with other OS's and sound cards im sorry :(

[ilizaros]

I love how childish/stupid some people are :) Patience is an important thing in life.

Hey dude, its WRONG that 2K Games releases an unfinished game. No-one should accept that they pay for the game and cant play it because of the GAME, not the SYSTEM. It's like I'd sell you a dildo and what you get is a pussy, and oh no, you little gay cant drill it in your ass.

I know this aint helping anything but your argument was just so annoying.

Idiot.