Sounds Issues.

[Cristian]

The sound in the main menu worked fine and in the opening cinematic. After that there was absolutely no sound.

Is there any solution for this problem?

[Tech Richard]

Please provide with us the following information about your setup

CPU :
Windows Version :
Memory:
DirectX Version :
Graphics Card Name :
Graphics Card Memory :
Graphics Card Driver Date & Version :
Sound Card Name:
Sound Card Driver Date & Version :

You can find this information by going into the 'dxdiag'. Please click on the "Start" button --> "Run". In the next box type in 'dxdiag' and select the 'Ok' button.

This will bring up the "DirectX Diagnostic Tool". Most of the information you need is on the first page, and then on the "Display" Tab.
Let us know this information so we can help you.

Also note the requirements for this game which are located on the following page:
http://support.take2games.com/cgi-bin/take2games_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=483

[Cristian]

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Windows Version: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000)
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Graphics Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
Graphics Card Memory: Dedicated Memory - 241 MB
Sound Card Name: SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
Sound Card Driver Date: 7/10/2007
Version: 6.10.5511.0000

[Cristian]

ooops forgot:

Memory: 2046MB RAM

[Tech Richard]

A few things to try :

Compatability Mode

Try runing the game in Windows XP Compatability mode.
- right click on the shortcut for the game
- left click on properties
- click on the Compatability tab
- tick the box called "Run this program in compatability mode for"
- select Windows XP (SP2)
- click on apply
- click on ok
Did this allow the game to work?

Some important Windows Vista updates :

Windows Vista Performance Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938979

Windows Vista Reliability Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938194

OpenAL update

Try updating OpenAL from the following website :

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

Then reboot the machine and try the game again

[skeletal]

I got the same problem.

CPU : Intel Core Duo 4300 @ 1.8 GHz
Windows Version : Windows Vista Home Premium (6.0, build 6000)
Memory : 2046 MB Ram
DirectX Version : DirectX 10
Graphics Card Name : NVidia Geforce 8800 GTS
Graphics Card Memory : 320 MB
Graphics Card Driver Date & Version :
Sound Card Name: On my motherboard, Asus P5N-E SLI, nForce-650i SLI, ATX, Socket-775, GbLAN, DDR2, 2xPCI-Ex16
Sound Card Driver Date & Version : I downloaded the latest driver, R1.76

[Cristian]

Tried updating windows and said it didn't apply to my system (I assume the computer already had all the updates).

Tried updating OpenAL and had no affect.

[Cristian]

I'm not exactly sure how to run the game in XP compatibility mode on Vista as there is no shortcut, and rightclicking in the "Games" folder doesn't have a preference option. It does have a "Run in DirectX9" option, and that didn't fix the issue.

[Cristian]

now is there a patch in the works to fix this. I mean clearly there are other having this problem and the sound works fine in every single other game I have on this system. I can't imagine that any one this is the fault of Vista, nVidia, or sound card drivers.

[Cristian]

Shameless bump

[gunr]

Christain: right click on the Bioshock short cut itself. Then click on properties, then click on the compatability tab, there in the box change it to Windows XP sp2.

[gunr]

Sorry sp ( Cristian ).

[Cristian]

Didn't fix anything, same problem. It also seems to be running in only a small portion of my screen when I have XP S2 selected.

[Cristian]

*sigh*.... bump

[Fiendish]

I had this issue.

System Specs.

CPU : Intel Core Duo E6600
Windows Version : Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory : 2046 MB Ram
DirectX Version : DirectX 10
Graphics Card Name : NVidia Geforce 8800 GTS
Graphics Card Memory : 320 MB
Sound Card: Onboard RealTek HD Audio

Ok I got this fixed yesterday.

What I did:

I never had any graphics issues (In DirectX 10, see below), just opening cinematic and then sounds cuts completely out.

1. I downloaded the latest drivers for my RealTek card (R 1.76) but this did not change anything.

2. I put it in Windows XP Compatibility mode. This worked, I got my sound back, but the screen resolution was stuck in 1024x768 and I noticed some slight graphics tearing, occasionally the game wouldn't display full screen. Whenever I tried changing any video settings however, the game crashed to desktop. So that was no good. So I took it out of compatability mode

3. I then downlaoded the latest version of OpenAL and installed it and rebooted. This also made no difference.

4. Next I turned on the Creative EAX from the Bioshock Audio Options and restarted the game. This worked!! I could not believe it, I wasn't even sure if I could use the Creative EAX option becasue I don't have a Creative card. But since the OpenAL mentioned it included the EAX libraries I decided to turn it on.

Most of you that have tinkered around have probably tried this so I don't know if this helps but it worked for me.

[Yabbering Yeti]

Its most likely that your sound processor doesnt support OpenAL.
Bioshock using streaming Fmod, which is based on OpenAL. If your card cant perform OpenAL you probably cant get audio in the game.

But then thats just one possible answer - I dont think anything has manage to fix any of these sound issues yet.

What we really need is a basic software mode for audio. We need word from Aussie guys if there is a software processing mode we can add to the .ini. That will fix these sound issues (although it will cost system resources).

basic stereo sound would be better than no sound at all.

[Yabbering Yeti]

I had this issue.

System Specs.

CPU : Intel Core Duo E6600
Windows Version : Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory : 2046 MB Ram
DirectX Version : DirectX 10
Graphics Card Name : NVidia Geforce 8800 GTS
Graphics Card Memory : 320 MB
Sound Card: Onboard RealTek HD Audio

Ok I got this fixed yesterday.

What I did:

I never had any graphics issues (In DirectX 10, see below), just opening cinematic and then sounds cuts completely out.

1. I downloaded the latest drivers for my RealTek card (R 1.76) but this did not change anything.

2. I put it in Windows XP Compatibility mode. This worked, I got my sound back, but the screen resolution was stuck in 1024x768 and I noticed some slight graphics tearing, occasionally the game wouldn't display full screen. Whenever I tried changing any video settings however, the game crashed to desktop. So that was no good. So I took it out of compatability mode

3. I then downlaoded the latest version of OpenAL and installed it and rebooted. This also made no difference.

4. Next I turned on the Creative EAX from the Bioshock Audio Options and restarted the game. This worked!! I could not believe it, I wasn't even sure if I could use the Creative EAX option becasue I don't have a Creative card. But since the OpenAL mentioned it included the EAX libraries I decided to turn it on.

Most of you that have tinkered around have probably tried this so I don't know if this helps but it worked for me.

Awesome, nice find. you should make a thread as a possible realtek HD fix

[Cristian]

Its most likely that your sound processor doesnt support OpenAL.
Bioshock using streaming Fmod, which is based on OpenAL. If your card cant perform OpenAL you probably cant get audio in the game.

All it said for sound card is that it must support DirectX9.0c. How is it going to tell me now that it need something totally different.

[Yabbering Yeti]

eh, maybe it doesnt. Fmod may utilise OpenAL differently, such as using its libraries but calling the hardware itself.

[Cristian]

So is there any solution at all here? I mean it seems like 2K is now ignoring this thread...

[Cristian]

Bump... again...

[Yabbering Yeti]

You will find that onboard solution of yours wont be performing in upcoming titles. Sigmatel sound - thats not very reputable and not well supported. In vistsa, its almost like trying to run a game on a matrox vidcard.

google search -
sigmatel HD no sound
its a problem with your sound and vista, not specificaly bioshock. Sigmatel havnt been the best at trying to support vista.

Besides, its basic onboard sound right? it's putting a strain on your cpu at ram because its draining your system resources to operate. Sound cards have their own hardware for that. while they do still use main sys resources, its no where near as much as onboard does.

My advice: Pick up a sound card. X-fi, if possible (easier to get Alchemy on it for directsound games). Audigy 2 or 4 if u cant get one of them.

In the mean time, head on over to a different forum to see if you can get your sigmatel to work on properly in vista. no doubt theres a heap of threads on it, and maybe some solutions.

[Cristian]

I should point out that other sound cards are having similar problems. Also every single other game works perfectly fine with the sound card. I fail to see how you can possibly blame the sound card when the only requirements for it was that it supports DirectX 9.0c. Asking me to pay for another sound card is total bull**** considering I just spent $50 on this game that according to Vista and "System Requirement Lab" would work perfectly fine on my current hardware. I'm sorry, but I find it incredibly unfair to even to ask me to dish out more money to play a game that has given me nothing but problems. Unless you can show where online, on the back of the box, or anywhere else for that matter did it EVER state that my current hardware will not run Bioshock. From the experience I had with my sound card so far leads me to believe that it is NOT my sound cards fault that this game does not function properly.

What you have just told me is the ultimate slap in the face and the exact reason why PC gaming is going down the drain.

[Yabbering Yeti]

Geeze, your acting like I personaly work for 2k.

I didnt ask you to shell out cash, I just offered a recommendation. How did I slap you in the face? All I said was that sigmatel HD chip is known to have a lot of problems with vista and that you should investigate that issue if you want audio. You can complain that you shouldnt have to you all you like but that wont give you audio.

What other users are having your issues? No sound and crackling audio, yes... but its not as if all people with no sound have no sound for all the same reason, ya?

This game uses streaming Fmod for its audio, which sits upon OpenAL - which game of yours can you prove works with this method of sound processing? And even if one did there are constant revisions to fmod and openal.

Your sigmatel chip causes issues with no audio in games and apps on vista: Yep
your problem with bioshock: no audio

So you can crap in my face for trying to help you or you can actually take a few steps towards investigating the known issues with your sound processor. Its totaly up to you there.

O, and remove any 3rd party audio codecs you might have installed in the past.

[Cristian]

But clearly this problem isn't isolated to my Sound Card. I mean in this thread alone 2 other people claimed to have the same problem all with different sound cards.

[Yabbering Yeti]

(i assume you have tried adjusting all the sound properties in bioshock prior to posting?)

well no, but short and simple:
There is clearly a problem with realtek and some X-fi owners. So its clearly linked to hardware (ie, my realtek doesnt work right, neither does my girlfriends - but my audigy 4 works perfectly).
They have dif sound chipsets. Your problem most likely has a different solution. Althought it MAY be fixed in a patch, there's no harm im trying some of the fixes to getting your particular sound processor to behave in vista.

Ive scanned several threads about the issues with your sound chipset and people have managed to get some applications sound to work under vista.

If your sound chipset obviously has many vista issues then its a strong hint that you should be trying to solve these to solve your no sound issue. Few people with sound issues have such a strong lead to their problem.

Bare in mind this is troubleshooting, not a solution. Im not saying that this is the definate solution but you have much more to go with than the realtek owners.

And again - a lot of the people who had no sound at all, with any card, had issues with some codecs. recently more people have joined and have missed the posts on the topic tho. check for any codecs you may have downloaded.

o and uninstall your sound drivers and make sure you reinstall the latest vista drivers for it (driver support seems to have been discontinued tho).. tho you may already have em.

[Yabbering Yeti]

actually i just read that one user got his working (not in bioshock) by uninstalling the latest drivers and reverting back to an older version.

[palmer666]

I had this issue.

System Specs.

CPU : Intel Core Duo E6600
Windows Version : Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory : 2046 MB Ram
DirectX Version : DirectX 10
Graphics Card Name : NVidia Geforce 8800 GTS
Graphics Card Memory : 320 MB
Sound Card: Onboard RealTek HD Audio

Ok I got this fixed yesterday.

What I did:

I never had any graphics issues (In DirectX 10, see below), just opening cinematic and then sounds cuts completely out.

1. I downloaded the latest drivers for my RealTek card (R 1.76) but this did not change anything.

2. I put it in Windows XP Compatibility mode. This worked, I got my sound back, but the screen resolution was stuck in 1024x768 and I noticed some slight graphics tearing, occasionally the game wouldn't display full screen. Whenever I tried changing any video settings however, the game crashed to desktop. So that was no good. So I took it out of compatability mode

3. I then downlaoded the latest version of OpenAL and installed it and rebooted. This also made no difference.

4. Next I turned on the Creative EAX from the Bioshock Audio Options and restarted the game. This worked!! I could not believe it, I wasn't even sure if I could use the Creative EAX option becasue I don't have a Creative card. But since the OpenAL mentioned it included the EAX libraries I decided to turn it on.

Most of you that have tinkered around have probably tried this so I don't know if this helps but it worked for me.


Hmm, your specs are near by mine. I have an intel E6750 Core 2 Duo with 2 GB DDR2 RAM, a MSI P35 Premium MoBo, a GeForce 8800 GTS with 640 MB, Realtek HD Onboard and Vista Home Premium installed. Will download OpenAL today and will test it with activated EAX. Thanks for the hint!

[palmer666]

Thanks for that hint!!!!!!

I have tested it with success! It works really! All you have to do is installing the Realtek 1.76 driver, after that reboot an install latest OpenAL! Reboot after installation OpenAL, start the game, go to the options and activate EAX-support - play the game!

This thread should be pinned!

[ronhelms35]

I just wanted to update my situation. I had the no sound issue after the opening video. I am not sure what fixed this situation but it was not driver related. First I uninstalled Bioshock from my main C: partition. I then created a 30GB partition and installed the game there. I installed the OpenAL fix even though I did not have a Creative sound card. I then went into the game and enabled EAX in the sound options. I have not had a problem running Bioshock in Vista Home Premium 32-bit since I did these procedures. I no longer have to run in compatiblity mode. (Knocking on Wood) Good Luck to everybody else.

[palmer666]

Same as by me, this is a working solution for me. Will now enjoy BioShock!!!!!

[Annihlist]

Release a patch already. Tried everything stated in the thread. Have a Audigy 2 ZS, 6800 ultra, A64 3400+, 1.5gig ram.

[Buck Fush !]

This OpenAL installation worked for me too, now I have sound in Vista with Realtek too.


THANKS A LOT !!

[Arod]

The solution for myself (no sound during game play) with my sigmatel was to download and install the latest ac3 filter.