Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA

Message

BlueShadow · Post by **BlueShadow** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 8:05 pm

I've been waiting so long for a suitable High-Performance Soundcard for my Notebook. Now Creative released the "Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook", a PCMCIA-Soundcard. I've already been dreaming about high-quality music listening or DVD watching with my notebook. But then I read that Linux does not support PCMCIA sound cards. Is this true, or does anyone know a possibility to get this thing working?

kamina · Post by **kamina** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 8:23 am

I understood that RME soundcards work well under linux, and I think there is allready support in the kernel for them. They have pcmcia models, but they are a bit more hardcore then an audigy. I also emailed Echo-Audio's support asking if they have plans for linux drivers for their Indigo series (pcmcia) and they said they are under work...

So in theory sound should work with a pcmcia card.

Anyway, I just bought the card you mentioned and am in the process of trying to get it to work.

servo888 · Post by **servo888** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 3:48 am

I'm thinking about buying the same card. The price is right, and the quality is good. So as soon as I learn Linux supports it - then I'll switch over

BlueShadow · Post by **BlueShadow** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:14 am

These are good news. So I think I'll buy it and try too. I think, at this time, its the only good solution for notebook users who want high quality sound.

Thank you!

Mambo · Post by **Mambo** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 9:58 am

Anyone have an update on wether this works or not?

dayul · Post by **dayul** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 3:28 pm

http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/in ... abs#matrix

R4miu5 · Post by **R4miu5** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:27 pm

any news? the update of the Matrix is from 2nd March

has someone tested the card?

twalter · Post by **twalter** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:54 pm

The card still doesn't work. There is a bug in the kernel PCMCIA code for reserving the necessary ioports, as I understand it. There is a new PCMCIA implementation in kernel versions 2.6.13 but that still doesn't work. Essentially the computer will hang as soon as you issue "pccardctl insert" message. Ejecting the card causes a hard reset. I have tried with all sorts of debugging turned on but the lockup prevents any logging of the problem, at least for me.

I *really* wish the Creative Labs people would remove their heads from their backsides long enough to realize that with their buying power they don't need to sign a stinking NDA with a DSP manufacturer. They should be telling *them* exactly what they want and how to use it.

ToeiRei · Post by **ToeiRei** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:23 pm

Same Probs here... just playing around with the card. *sigh*

Rei

twalter · Post by **twalter** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 1:53 pm

I just wish I knew more about it. The documentation on PCMCIA is rather sparse due to its being closed standard. I wonder if there is a GPL'd method for snooping the bus. If we could figure out how the Windows driver interacted with the card we would be better off.

R4miu5 · Post by **R4miu5** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:06 pm

and is there no kernel patch or at least the possibiliy to use the driver via e.g. ndiswrapper?

twalter · Post by **twalter** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:24 pm

Nope

R4miu5 · Post by **R4miu5** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:28 pm

would it work with any former kernel (possibly 2.4.x)? FUCK CREATIVE

twalter · Post by **twalter** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:50 pm

I don't know... that's definately something I want to test now. I'll post if I get anywhere.

- Todd.

twalter · Post by **twalter** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:24 pm

No go with this kernel either.

We will have to wait for kernel-pcmcia folks to get it together. Wish them luck, from what I've read getting the PCI & PCMCIA code to co-operate looks to be a royal pain in the ass.

- Todd.

R4miu5 · Post by **R4miu5** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:03 pm

bah, i sent my soundcard back (not even opened yet) i wont start using windows just get this card working

raylpc · Post by **raylpc** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:17 am

James Courtier-Dutton intended to write a driver for this card, however he bumped into the pcmcia bug mentioned here. He opened a bug, and there had been some discussions with Linus Torvalds there. Anyone who wants to help, please go to http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5057

ToeiRei · Post by **ToeiRei** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:27 am

Yay!! Finally a clue!
_THX_ a ton (tm)

Rei

Bobbie · Post by **Bobbie** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 8:15 pm

...but still no fix! Too bad I want to buy this card, mainly for windows apps but still...

dayul · Post by **dayul** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:21 pm

Well it appears the PCMCIA bug is fixed now, but there is still work that needs to be done on the card.

BlueShadow · Post by **BlueShadow** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:23 pm

Wow, there has been some discussion here. Nice to know that I'm not the only one waiting for this to work.
At least some good news. I've already given up a long time ago.

@dayul Does that mean the card works now or not yet.

ToeiRei · Post by **ToeiRei** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:29 pm

BlueShadow wrote:@dayul Does that mean the card works now or not yet.

This question was not adressed to me, but as far as I know there is no working driver for now. But I'm sure it won't take too long...

Rei

BlueShadow · Post by **BlueShadow** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:31 pm

thx! Can't wait

dayul · Post by **dayul** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:35 pm

BlueShadow wrote:@dayul Does that mean the card works now or not yet.

I don't think so, you can check the status here:

https://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/alsa- ... php?id=927

ketjow · Post by **ketjow** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:46 pm

Has anyone succeeded in getting this card to work?

Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA

Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA

No good still...

Debugging

Patch

Earlier kernels

2.4.x