New sound card won't work w/surround speakers

Hey guys,
I just installed a new Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live 5.1 sound card. I wanted to use a set of Boston Accoustic BA735 speakers that a friend gave me, and I needed the new soundcard for them to work. Well, apparently not! They don't work! My regular speakers work fine, but no sound from the others. I have all the settings correct for surround sound, and have downloaded all the latest drivers, but nothing....any suggestions? Thanks!

 

what kind of plugs do the surround speakers use? typically there are 2-3 stereo plugs, one green, one black, and one orange (green for front channels, black for rear, and orange for sub)

depending on the speakers, there may be only 2, or as many as 4-5.

are you certain they are plugged in correctly? (and powered)

also, are you switching the Creative card to surround mode (4 speaker or 5.1) using creative surround mixer?

 

There is black, green, pink, blue and yellow. I have the existing speakers plugged into the green (the only one they work in), and I've tried the surround speakers in all the other plugs and nothing works. The speakers only have one wire coming from them (two speakers plus subwoofer- all on blue plug). I've read in some other forums where these particular speakers (Boston Accoustic BA735) were installed in Gateway computers, and won't work in Windows XP, or in ANY other computer other than Gateway. I can't see how that is possible, so I thought I would check with you guys.....you seem to be the best at helping me out when I need it! I am running XP, if that helps! Thanks again!

 

oh, so if you just have a 2.1 speaker system, why did you think you needed a new sound card? any sound device will run 2.1, plugged right into the green jack.

you dont have surround sound speakers, so you shouldnt use surround sound settings. also, did your friend verify the speakers worked before giving them to you?

 

Everything I searched (after the speakers didn't work initially) said that I needed a digital soundcard with the black plug, so that is why I ordered the SB Live 5.1.

I've also checked other settings, such as desktop speakers, etc., but nothing works....also confirmed with friend that speakers did work!

 

I'm doing this from memory, so don't treat it as gospel.

The BA735's were fitted to Gateway computers, and to use digital output, you need a special driver.

I would try the Gateway site, and/or email Boston Acoustics.


When your friend said they worked, was that on a Gateway PC?