Member Avatar for hetixo

hi

Can i change my preferred CD playing device to my rewriter? When i switch the drives in CD Player is says it's playing the CD but I've got no sound. I've also tried swithching my default setting in multi media.

Also in the advanced setting of my volume controls it's not giving me the option of changing the bass and treble settings.

I'm running windows 98 and my sound card is audio for creative sound blaster 16 plug and play.

Any ideas...?

P.S.

could you keep it simple cos i'm a div.

  • 2 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 193 Views
  • 1 Month Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by hetixo

Dani AI

Generated

Quick diagnosis: the 4‑pin analog audio lead that suggested only applies to internal IDE/ATAPI CD drives. Because ’s rewriter is an external USB unit, the audio path is handled digitally by the USB/CD driver and the system mixer, not by an analog cable. The usual causes on Windows 98 are (a) the USB/CD driver didn’t install an MCI/audio interface that Windows can use, or (b) the Sound Blaster has only a generic driver installed so the mixer/tone controls (bass/treble) aren’t exposed.

Try this straightforward checklist in order:

  • Confirm the sound card works: play an MP3 or WAV. If no audio from any source, reinstall the Creative SB16 drivers first.
  • Check Volume Control: open Volume Control (Accessories → Entertainment → Volume Control), Options → Properties, enable the CD Player/CD Audio slider and make sure it isn’t muted.
  • Check Multimedia device: Control Panel → Multimedia → Devices tab → look at “CD Audio” and ensure the USB rewriter is the selected device (or try alternate entries if present).
  • Device Manager: Control Panel → System → Device Manager — expand CD‑ROM and USB controllers and look for errors. Reinstall the rewriter’s driver from its disc if there are warnings.
  • Try the drive on a different USB port (avoid hubs) and ensure any external power brick is connected.

If MP3s play but the CD still has no sound, reinstall the full Creative SB16 driver/mixer (that’s why bass/treble options are missing) and reinstall the rewriter’s USB driver — some Win98 setups need the vendor’s USB or ASPI components to expose CD audio to the OS. As a short workaround, rip a track to WAV and play it to confirm the drive can read audio data. If problems persist, test the rewriter on a newer PC (better USB support) to rule out a Win98 driver limitation.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for Cain

if this is a second drive.. is the 4 pin audio cable run from the CDRW drive to the
sound card/mainboard? I didnt have to with mine when I installed it but my re-writer
had to maintain mastership over the old plain jane CD drive to get everything to work
right.

Member Avatar for hetixo

if this is a second drive.. is the 4 pin audio cable run from the CDRW drive to the
sound card/mainboard? I didnt have to with mine when I installed it but my re-writer
had to maintain mastership over the old plain jane CD drive to get everything to work
right.

it's what i recod all stuff onto CD on, My E: drive. It's connected to the main processor via USB

Member Avatar for Cain

maybe a driver issue. did you have to install a driver bundle and reboot with the device attatched? or was this a psudo-PnP kinda deal?

Member Avatar for hetixo

there was a driver installation disc with the re-writer, yes. sorry for loooooooong delay.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.