Creative Worldwide Support - X-Fi
How to Activate Sound Blaster X-Fi MB on Windows 10
Sound Blaster X-Fi MB is a software suite that enhances the audio performance of your motherboard's built-in sound card. It offers features such as EAX, THX, EQ and more. However, some users may encounter problems when trying to activate Sound Blaster X-Fi MB on Windows 10, especially if they have updated their Realtek HDA drivers to a newer version.
sound blaster x-fi mb activation key
In this article, we will show you how to download and install Sound Blaster X-Fi MB on Windows 10, as well as some troubleshooting tips for activating it successfully.
What is Sound Blaster X-Fi MB?
Sound Blaster X-Fi MB is a software suite that enhances the audio performance of your motherboard's built-in sound card. It is designed to work with Realtek High Definition Audio (HDA) devices that support Creative's technology.
Sound Blaster X-Fi MB was originally developed by Creative for Asus motherboards that have a special chip called SupremeFX X-Fi. However, it can also work with other motherboards that have compatible Realtek audio devices.
Features and Benefits of Sound Blaster X-Fi MB
Sound Blaster X-Fi MB offers several features and benefits that improve your audio experience, such as:
Improving the sound quality of your music, movies and games with advanced audio processing and effects.
Enabling EAX, the environmental audio standard that simulates realistic 3D soundscapes in supported games.
Supporting THX, the cinema-quality audio standard that delivers immersive surround sound for movies and music.
Providing EQ, a customizable equalizer that lets you adjust the frequency balance of your audio output.
Including other features such as Crystalizer, CMSS-3D, Smart Volume Management, Dialog Plus and more.
With Sound Blaster X-Fi MB, you can enjoy a richer and more realistic audio experience on your PC.
Requirements and Compatibility of Sound Blaster X-Fi MB
To use Sound Blaster X-Fi MB, you need to have a compatible motherboard and Realtek audio device. The minimum requirements are:
A Windows 10 operating system (32-bit or 64-bit).
A Realtek High Definition Audio (HDA) device that supports Creative's technology. You can check the Hardware Ids of your audio device in Device Manager to see if it is compatible. The Hardware Ids should start with HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888 or HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0889.
A motherboard that has a SupremeFX X-Fi chip or a similar chip that supports Sound Blaster X-Fi MB. Some examples of compatible motherboards are Asus P5Q, Asus P5Q Pro, Asus P5Q Deluxe, Asus P5Q-E, Asus P5Q Premium, Asus Rampage II Extreme, Asus Rampage II Gene, Asus Maximus II Formula, Asus Maximus II Gene and more.
If you are not sure if your motherboard and audio device are compatible with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB, you can contact Creative or Asus customer support for confirmation.
How to Download and Install Sound Blaster X-Fi MB
There are two methods to download and install Sound Blaster X-Fi MB on Windows 10. The first method is to use the official drivers and software from Asus, which are designed for specific motherboards and audio devices. The second method is to use the Realtek R2.81 driver and the X-Fi MB software from Creative, which are more generic and may work with other motherboards and audio devices.
Method 1: Use the Official Drivers and Software from Asus
This method is recommended if you have an Asus motherboard that has a SupremeFX X-Fi chip or a similar chip that supports Sound Blaster X-Fi MB. You can download the official drivers and software from the Asus website by following these steps:
Step 1: Uninstall any previous Realtek and Creative software from your system
Before installing the new drivers and software, you need to uninstall any previous versions of Realtek and Creative software from your system. This will prevent any conflicts or errors during the installation process. To uninstall the previous software, you can use the Windows Control Panel or a third-party uninstaller tool such as Revo Uninstaller.
Step 2: Download and run the Realtek HDA v. 6.0.1.6699 installer from the Asus website
The next step is to download and run the Realtek HDA v. 6.0.1.6699 installer from the Asus website. This installer will install the latest Realtek HDA driver for your audio device, as well as the SupremeFX X-Fi driver that enables Sound Blaster X-Fi MB functionality. To download and run the installer, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Asus support page.
Select your motherboard model from the drop-down menu or enter it in the search box.
Click on Drivers & Tools, then select Windows 10 as your operating system.
Scroll down to Audio and click on Show All Downloads.
Find the file named Realtek HDA v. 6.0.1.6699 (or a newer version) and click on Download.
Save the file to your preferred location on your PC.
Double-click on the file to launch the installer.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 3: Download and run the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB2 installer from the Asus website
The final step is to download and run the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB2 installer from the Asus website. This installer will install the latest Sound Blaster X-Fi MB2 software for your audio device, which includes the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Control Panel and other features. To download and run the installer, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Asus support page.
Select your motherboard model from the drop-down menu or enter it in the search box.
Click on Drivers & Tools, then select Windows 10 as your operating system.
Scroll down to Audio and click on Show All Downloads.
Find the file named Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB2 (or a newer version) and click on Download.
Save the file to your preferred location on your PC.
Double-click on the file to launch the installer.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 4: Reboot your system and enjoy the enhanced audio quality
The last step is to reboot your system and enjoy the enhanced audio quality. After rebooting, you should be able to see the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Control Panel icon in your system tray. You can click on it to access the various settings and features of Sound Blaster X-Fi MB. You can also check if Sound Blaster X-Fi MB is activated by going to Device Manager and looking for Creative Audio Effects Component under Sound, video and game controllers.
Method 2: Use the Realtek R2.81 Driver and X-Fi MB Software
This method is an alternative if you have a different motherboard or audio device that is not supported by the official drivers and software from Asus. You can use the Realtek R2.81 driver and the X-Fi MB software from Creative, which are more generic and may work with other motherboards and audio devices. However, this method is not guaranteed to work and may cause some issues or errors. To use this method, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Uninstall any previous Realtek and Creative software from your system
Similar to method 1, you need to uninstall any previous versions of Realtek and Creative software from your system before installing the new ones. This will prevent any conflicts or errors during the installation process. To uninstall the previous software, you can use the Windows Control Panel or a third-party uninstaller tool such as Revo Uninstaller.
Step 2: Download and run the Realtek R2.81 installer from TechSpot
The next step is to download and run the Realtek R2.81 installer from TechSpot. This installer will install the latest Realtek HDA driver for your audio device, which is compatible with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB. To download and run the installer, you can follow these steps:
Go to the TechSpot download page.
Find the file named Realtek HD Audio Codec Driver 2.81 for Windows Vista/7/8/10 (or a newer version) and click on Download Now.
Save the file to your preferred location on your PC.
Double-click on the file to launch the installer.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 3: Download and run the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB installer from Creative's website
The final step is to download and run the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB installer from Creative's website. This installer will install the latest Sound Blaster X-Fi MB software for your audio device, which includes the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Control Panel and other features. To download and run the installer, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Creative support page.
Select Sound Blaster X-Fi MB from the drop-down menu or enter it in the search box.
Click on Downloads and select Windows 10 as your operating system.
Find the file named Sound Blaster X-Fi MB (or a newer version) and click on Download.
Save the file to your preferred location on your PC.
Double-click on the file to launch the installer.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 4: Reboot your system and enjoy the enhanced audio quality
The last step is to reboot your system and enjoy the enhanced audio quality. After rebooting, you should be able to see the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Control Panel icon in your system tray. You can click on it to access the various settings and features of Sound Blaster X-Fi MB. You can also check if Sound Blaster X-Fi MB is activated by going to Device Manager and looking for Creative Audio Effects Component under Sound, video and game controllers.
Troubleshooting Tips for Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Activation
Sometimes, you may encounter some problems when trying to activate Sound Blaster X-Fi MB on Windows 10. Here are some troubleshooting tips that may help you solve them:
Check your motherboard's audio device Hardware Ids in Device Manager
One of the possible reasons why Sound Blaster X-Fi MB may not work is that your motherboard's audio device is not compatible with it. To check this, you need to look at the Hardware Ids of your audio device in Device Manager. To do this, you can follow these steps:
Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
Expand the Sound, video and game controllers category and double-click on your Realtek High Definition Audio device.
Click on the Details tab and select Hardware Ids from the Property drop-down menu.
Look at the values under Value and see if they start with HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888 or HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0889. If they do, then your audio device is compatible with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB. If they don't, then your audio device is not compatible with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB and you may need to use a different method or software to enhance your audio quality.
Disable any interfering startup or service applications before installing or updating the drivers or software
Another possible reason why Sound Blaster X-Fi MB may not work is that some startup or service applications may interfere with the installation or update process of the drivers or software. To prevent this, you need to disable any unnecessary or suspicious startup or service applications before installing or updating the drivers or software. To do this, you can follow these steps:
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on the Startup tab and disable any startup applications that are not essential for your system or that may cause conflicts with the drivers or software. You can right-click on an application and select Disable to disable it.
Click on the Services tab and disable any service applications that are not essential for your system or that may cause conflicts with the drivers or software. You can right-click on an application and select Stop to stop it.
Close Task Manager and proceed with the installation or update process of the drivers or software.
Check the event log of your audio device for any errors or warnings
A third possible reason why Sound Blaster X-Fi MB may not work is that there may be some errors or warnings in the event log of your audio device. These errors or warnings may indicate some issues or problems with your audio device that may affect its functionality or compatibility with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB. To check this, you need to look at the event log of your audio device in Device Manager. To do this, you can follow these steps:
Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
Expand the Sound, video and game controllers category and double-click on your Realtek High Definition Audio device.
Click on the Events tab and look at the information under Information.
If you see any errors or warnings, you can click on them to see more details and possible solutions. You can also click on View All Events to see the complete event log of your audio device.
If you find any errors or warnings that may affect Sound Blaster X-Fi MB, you can try to fix them by following the suggested solutions or by contacting Creative or Asus customer support for further assistance.
Contact Creative or Asus customer support for further assistance
A fourth possible reason why Sound Blaster X-Fi MB may not work is that there may be some other unknown or complex issues or problems that require professional help. In this case, you can contact Creative or Asus customer support for further assistance. They may be able to provide you with more information, guidance, or solutions for activating Sound Blaster X-Fi MB on Windows 10. To contact Creative or Asus customer support, you can use the following methods:
For Creative customer support, you can visit their support page, where you can find FAQs, forums, downloads, and contact options.
For Asus customer support, you can visit their support page, where you can find FAQs, manuals, downloads, and contact options.
Conclusion
Sound Blaster X-Fi MB is a software suite that enhances the audio performance of your motherboard's built-in sound card. It offers features such as EAX, THX, EQ and more. However, some users may encounter problems when trying to activate Sound Blaster X-Fi MB on Windows 10, especially if they have updated their Realtek HDA drivers to a newer version.
In this article, we have shown you how to download and install Sound Blaster X-Fi MB on Windows 10, as well as some troubleshooting tips for activating it successfully. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Sound Blaster X-Fi MB:
Q: What is the difference between Sound Blaster X-Fi MB and Sound Blaster X-Fi MB2?
A: Sound Blaster X-Fi MB and Sound Blaster X-Fi MB2 are both software suites that enhance the audio performance of your motherboard's built-in sound card. However, Sound Blaster X-Fi MB2 is an updated version of Sound Blaster X-Fi MB that offers more features and compatibility. Some of the new features of Sound Blaster X-Fi MB2 are:
Support for Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Support for Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding.
Support for ALchemy, which restores EAX effects in older games.
Support for SBX Pro Studio, which replaces CMSS-3D and Crystalizer.
Support for Scout Mode, which enhances the sound cues in games.
Q: How can I activate EAX in supported games with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB?
A: EAX is a feature that simulates realistic 3D soundscapes in supported games. To activate EAX in supported games with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB, you need to do the following:
Open the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Control Panel by clicking on its icon in the system tray.
Select Game Mode from the Mode Selection menu.
Select EAX Effects from the Audio Effects menu.
Select the EAX level that matches the game's EAX support from the drop-down menu. For example, if the game supports EAX 4.0, select EAX 4.0 from the menu.
Click on OK to save the settings.
Launch the game and enjoy the enhanced audio effects.
Q: How can I activate THX in supported movies and music with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB?
A: THX is a feature that delivers immersive surround sound for movies and music. To activate THX in supported movies and music with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB, you need to do the following:
Open the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Control Panel by clicking on its icon in the system tray.
Select Entertainment Mode from the Mode Selection menu.
Select THX Setup Console from the Audio Effects menu.
Select the speaker configuration that matches your system from the drop-down menu. For example, if you have a 5.1 surround sound system, select 5.1 Speakers from the menu.
Click on OK to save the settings.
Launch the movie or music and enjoy the enhanced audio quality.
Q: How can I activate EQ in any audio output with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB?
A: EQ is a feature that lets you adjust the frequency balance of your audio output. To activate EQ in any audio output with Sound Blaster X-Fi MB, you need to do the following:
Open the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB Control Panel by clicking on its icon in the system tray.
Select any mode from the Mode Selection menu.
Select Graphic Equalizer from the Audio Effects menu.
Select the preset that matches your preference from the drop-down menu. For example, if you want to boost the bass, select Bass Boost from the menu.
You can also customize the EQ settings by moving the sliders or entering the values manually.
Click on OK to save the settings.
Enjoy the enhanced audio quality.
Q: How can I update Sound Blaster X-Fi MB to the latest version?
A: To update Sound Blaster X-Fi MB to the latest version, you need to download and run the latest installer from Creative's website. To do this, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Creative support page.
Select Sound Blaster X-Fi MB from the drop-down menu or enter it in the search box.
Click on Downloads and select Windows 10 as your operating system.
Find the file named Sound Blaster X-Fi MB (or a newer version) and click on Download.
Save the file to your preferred location on your PC.
Double-click on the file to launch the installer.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Q: How can I uninstall Sound Blaster X-Fi MB from my system?
A: To uninstall Sound Blaster X-Fi MB from your system, you need to use the Windows Control Panel or a third-party uninstaller tool such as Revo Uninstaller. To do this, you can follow these steps:
Open the Windows Control Panel by clicking on Start and selecting Control Panel.
Click on Programs and Features or Uninstall a program.
Find and select Sound Blaster X-Fi