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Modified drivers for X-Fi sound cards.

cxfithlp.exe has absolutely nothing to do with it...it is not responsible for saving settings
so what actually does it do?

I just tested , there is no need for
bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS


it works fine without it with just testsigning
 
those two commands are only temporary, then you might reanable both, i even use secure boot and driver still working fine windows 11 26200 dev build iot entrerprise ltsc costum build, kaspersky don't block any creative driver, sound is fine, no slowdowns or crackling noise
 
those two commands are only temporary, then you might reanable both, i even use secure boot and driver still working fine windows 11 26200 dev build iot entrerprise ltsc costum build, kaspersky don't block any creative driver, sound is fine, no slowdowns or crackling noise
ha you just do that to install the driver?? you don't need it after? because the driver is still unsigned, it won't work no?
@Antes533 Hibernation or sleep mode work better to save the settings? I just did hibernation, and it saved when I came back, that means it saved or only after restart?
 
yes just to install driver without digital signature, secure boot don't disable unsinged driver, but you need to disable secure boot before installing any unsigned drivers, including modified creative drivers, i use this more advanced method to enable secure boot: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...75df-beb2-40c1-99a3-b3ff139f832d#bkmk_install only then enable it in bios user mode + standard no need to install additional security keys, also when secure boot enabled you cannot use those two commands, it just won't allow, but after you install drivers and everything working fine, you can disable those two commands and reanable secure boot if you want, it is working fine, including saving settings
 
yes just to install driver without digital signature, secure boot don't disable unsinged driver, but you need to disable secure boot before installing any unsigned drivers, including modified creative drivers, i use this more advanced method to enable secure boot: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...75df-beb2-40c1-99a3-b3ff139f832d#bkmk_install only then enable it in bios user mode + standard no need to install additional security keys
I have Secure boot disable all the time. I don't need it

The hibernation save method is only useful if you can't save normally. No reboot required.
so I will just enable the 2 commands when I want to install the driver and delete them after, then enable the ctxfihelp.exe registry , set the settings, and hibernate to save the settings
 
1. Disable driver signature verification. 2. Install the driver. 3. If autosave settings does not work, then configure the card and save the settings via hibernation.
 
1. Disable driver signature verification. 2. Install the driver. 3. If autosave settings does not work, then configure the card and save the settings via hibernation.
k I reinstalled ESET
they said something with microsoft ELAM https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/early-launch-antimalware
bcdedit /set disableelamdrivers Yes

Driver loading behavior in Eset is being done separate from HIPS processing regardless of the fact that the configurable parameters for it are shown in the HIPS section. This makes sense since many drivers load during the Win boot phase and Eset is not fully initialized at that time.

During the Win boot phase, Eset uses it's ELAM driver: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/early-launch-antimalware to monitor loading of Windows non-device based drivers.

and then I reinstalled ESET and now it works fine
I am not sure if it's because the driver is installed already or because the bcdedit command
but anyway, I never need to reinstall the creative driver there is nothing more to upgrade in this

hibernation saved the settings for me

@Antes533 I don't get it though, one time it worked fine before I had athe stuttering issues. but now I can't get it to work properly it doesn't sound right with the same games I played just before or with heusvi with CMSS-Titanium profile. Stereo sound better than surround. what is wrong?

Stereo in game sound like it supposed to be, and surround sound like tin can stereo 2.1 only. so I can't understand what is going on. the game doesn't see the speakers correctly still? it says 7.1 in windows, it doesn't sync?

Yeah surround in game doesn't sound right, it's like 7.1 with stereo. it's in my face stereo , and stereo actually sound like surround. something is not right
 
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Stereo in game sound like it supposed to be, and surround sound like tin can stereo 2.1 only. so I can't understand what is going on. the game doesn't see the speakers correctly still? it says 7.1 in windows, it doesn't sync?
Do you mean bad sound in headphone mode?
 
Do you mean bad sound in headphone mode?
yes,
I have Creative CP and Console set to headphones and windows speakers 7.1
In games it set to Auto or Surround or 5.1 or 7.1 and all of them sound bad compared to when using Stereo. it's like over blow sound and there is not a single surround feeling. if I set to Stereo it sound like 7.1 when I overshoot the camera 360

If CP or Console they both synced, set to 7.1 and the game set to Surround it sound better. I can't understand it
 
Yes, in headphone mode the sound was always like in a barrel...that's why no one uses it and it's not clear what the creative motivation was for creating this profile and for what headphones))) Use normal 2.1-7.1 modes with CMSS3D for games.
 
Yes, in headphone mode the sound was always like in a barrel...that's why no one uses it and it's not clear what the creative motivation was for creating this profile and for what headphones))) Use normal 2.1-7.1 modes with CMSS3D for games.
so I need to choose speaker 7.1? but then the is no MacroFX and ElevationFilter options anymore


Maybe it's the full range speakers? do I need to have it enabled?
Maybe because it uses 96Khz so surround doesn't work properly with SPDIF?
My DAC/AMP says 96Khz even when I set the speakers to 48Khz. something with the SPDIF setting controlling this in here, but we can't change it, any idea why?
1749430463268.png

1749430370454.png



CMSS-3D is a feature that emulates 3D surround sound on headphones. To use it, you need to ensure your sound card's control panel is set to headphones with CMSS-3D enabled, configure your Windows sound settings to 5.1 or 7.1, and make sure the game or application is also set accordingly. If the game uses DirectSound3D, you might need to use Creative's Alchemy software.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Enable CMSS-3D:
  • Go to your sound card's control panel (usually X-Fi or similar).
  • Select the "Headphone" profile.
  • Enable the CMSS-3D option.
  • This will tell your sound card to convert a 3D surround signal into a headphone-friendly format.
2. Configure Windows Sound Settings:
  • Open the Windows Sound Control Panel.
  • Set your output device to 5.1 or 7.1 surround. This will tell Windows to expect surround sound input.
3. Configure Game/Application Settings:
  • Ensure the game or application is also set to 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound.
  • If the game uses DirectSound3D, you might need to use Creative's Alchemy software. Alchemy can automatically detect and handle games using DirectSound3D.


It seems there's a misunderstanding about CMSS3D and forced 96kHz SPDIF. CMSS3D is a sound processing technology used by Creative Sound Blaster, and it's not inherently tied to a specific sampling rate or output like SPDIF. SPDIF is a digital audio interface that can carry various sampling rates, including 96kHz, but it's not a feature of CMSS3D itself.


do I need to select 96Khz here also? on the SPDIF OUT? maybe because it was only 48Khz it's messing up everything?
1749430642600.png


Why you might be seeing a forced 96kHz setting:
  • Device-specific settings:
    Some devices, like Sound Blaster sound cards, may offer settings that allow forcing a specific SPDIF sampling rate. This might be a feature to ensure compatibility with certain audio devices or to improve sound quality.

  • Software/Driver issues:
    In some cases, software or drivers might incorrectly report or force a certain sampling rate, even if the device is capable of higher rates.

  • Audio output settings:
    If you are using a device that supports CMSS3D, and the audio output is routed through SPDIF, then you might be able to configure the sampling rate of the digital output, but this is independent of the CMSS3D technology itself.
In short, CMSS3D and 96kHz SPDIF are separate concepts. CMSS3D is a sound processing technology, while 96kHz SPDIF is a digital audio output with a specific sampling rate. If you're experiencing issues with your device, it's important to troubleshoot the specific settings and configuration for your audio output, including SPDIF settings, and ensure your drivers are up to dat
 
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they are not needed at all....CMSS3D does downmixing perfectly in normal modes too.
I see the issue!
your driver has the Sync to windows speakers how do i cancel it? if I change the windows speaker it changes the speaker channels also , they said you need to disable it for it to work! because it just do 7.1 instead CMSS, something is wrong

I sent you this explaining why it needs to be async

his is why you want asynchronous speaker/headphone configurations. You don't have to worry about missing sounds not played through the front channels because even with CMSS-3D Headphone off, the rear and side left/right are audible and positioned the same as front left/right (that is, directly off to the side, as usual for headphones). In other words, the X-Fi drivers downmix everything automatically.
I believe that 5.1 was selected in the guide that introduced me to that configuration simply because the person who wrote it also had a 5.1 speaker configuration, not 7.1, and to switch between headphones and speakers, he only wanted to adjust the X-Fi control panel. If you only have headphones, just leave it at 7.1.


We need Headphones in Creative Control Panel and 7.1 in Windows speakers 7.1
When I change in one of them it changes in both of them that's what causing the missing sound and weird echo!
how can we have the option not have sync in Creative Console Launcher?
 
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As far as I know, SPDIF outputs only digital sound and CMSS3D does not work in this case. Only for analog sound.
 
As far as I know, SPDIF outputs only digital sound and CMSS3D does not work in this case. Only for analog sound.
yes I don't use SPDIF, it was just testing to see what's wrong, but we found the issue, we need async between the program. forget the SPDIF
 
I see the issue!
your driver has the Sync to windows speakers how do i cancel it?
Everything is correct...this is how a properly functioning driver should work.

How to set up 3D sound once and for all (mini-FAQ)
1. For 5.1-7.1 systems (and multi-channel headphones), you don't need to do anything, just remember to switch the card to Game Mode.
2. For headphones and 2.x systems, the optimal settings are as follows: mode - Game Mode, CMSS3D - enabled, MacroFX - On, ElevationFilter - On, Crystalizer - optional (if enabled, it is recommended not to exceed 65%), EQ, SVM and Bass Boost should be disabled, it is best to leave the EAX level at 0db.
Next, it is recommended to set the Windows configuration to 5.1 (some games refuse to output surround sound otherwise), while leaving 2.x/headphones in Creative. Use the following method:
2a. For headphones. Set 5.1 in the Windows control panel, and then headphones in the Creative panel. 5.1 will remain in Windows
2b. The same, but for 2.x systems: remove ctxfihlp from startup, set 2.0 in the Creative panel, reboot Windows, immediately after reboot set 5.1 in the Windows control panel. In Creative, 2.x should remain
3. It is better to disable APO in all cases (check https://st.overclockers.ru/legacy/v1/198719.png)
4. Alchemy is applied only to games that output sound via DirectSound3D (such games almost disappeared in 2008-2009). Using them on games with other APIs can cause problems and will certainly not make the sound better.
 
Everything is correct...this is how a properly functioning driver should work.

How to set up 3D sound once and for all (mini-FAQ)
1. For 5.1-7.1 systems (and multi-channel headphones), you don't need to do anything, just remember to switch the card to Game Mode.
2. For headphones and 2.x systems, the optimal settings are as follows: mode - Game Mode, CMSS3D - enabled, MacroFX - On, ElevationFilter - On, Crystalizer - optional (if enabled, it is recommended not to exceed 65%), EQ, SVM and Bass Boost should be disabled, it is best to leave the EAX level at 0db.
Next, it is recommended to set the Windows configuration to 5.1 (some games refuse to output surround sound otherwise), while leaving 2.x/headphones in Creative. Use the following method:
2a. For headphones. Set 5.1 in the Windows control panel, and then headphones in the Creative panel. 5.1 will remain in Windows
2b. The same, but for 2.x systems: remove ctxfihlp from startup, set 2.0 in the Creative panel, reboot Windows, immediately after reboot set 5.1 in the Windows control panel. In Creative, 2.x should remain
3. It is better to disable APO in all cases (check https://st.overclockers.ru/legacy/v1/198719.png)
4. Alchemy is applied only to games that output sound via DirectSound3D (such games almost disappeared in 2008-2009). Using them on games with other APIs can cause problems and will certainly not make the sound better.
He says to disable the APO which disable CMSS3D I don't understand this guide at all



Set your Creative control panel to cmss-3d headphone. Then set windows to 5.1 That's the jist of what you need done.

could you add this option in creative control launcher so I can test it with and without? why this options not exist now?
 
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What specific function do you lack? And regarding disabling the APO....yes, there is an error...you should not disable it.

Do you have multi-channel or stereo headphones?
 
What specific function do you lack? And regarding disabling the APO....yes, there is an error...you should not disable it.

Do you have multi-channel or stereo headphones?
I have Utopia 2022 headphones it's Stereo headphones
I want to have CMSS3D Headphones in Creative Control Panel/Console
and Windows speakers 7.1
that's it
But I just need it to be Async like they say, I remember there was this option in the settings
It seems like it was only for XP




It must be STEREO not 7.1 ! In a game like The Precinct I didn't have music in the main menu of the start game when I set it to 7.1 and Headphones or the mixed settings.
with stereo in windows and Headphones it sounds perfect


---------------------------
The Ctxfihlp.exe seems like just helper for FRONT connectors or REMOTE /EXTERNAL like XFI Fatality so it's only good for these cards not the other XFI series

Do not turn off ctxfihlp if you have an external control device like the one that comes with X-Fi Elite pro. The buttons/OSD/remote for it will NOT work without it. Xelteckon

Creative Technologies X-Fi Hardware Link Plug-In CTxfiHLP - it allows front located audio plugs to work. I contacted Creative Labs directly via their online chat and the CSR confirmed that it was from them. See also: Link Andy


If you have a creative sound card with front console installed on your computer, DONT remove this. I didn't know why my front panel buttons and volume controls didn't work, it was because this was disabled. I enabled this and my front console started to work. Ctxfihlp.exe isn't "help file" for x-fi, it's a file needed for x-fi, not anykind of helping file for user. Mikko


The X-Fi Hardware Link is a Creative-designed feature that allows users to connect and manage multiple audio sources and devices, including external I/O consoles, using a proprietary AD_Link cable. CTxfiHLP, as noted by the Neuber software, may refer to the executable file responsible for supporting this hardware link functionality. This executable file can be found within the software supporting the X-Fi sound card, and is associated with the X-Fi Hardware Link.

Process: ctxfispi.exe
Notes:
Used for headphone detection. If you plug in headphones the system sound will automatically switch over to play through your headphones instead of the speakers. Useful if you use headphones. Otherwise disable it.
It's installed with X-FI software. I've read that it autodetects headphones. If you really want it gone, boot into safe mode, go to windows/system32 and delete it. It can't load if it doesn't exist.

Process: ctxfihlp.exe
Notes:
This particular process provides the help functionality for your card. This is considered to be a non-essential program, so it can be safely disabled.

Process: cthelper.exe
Notes: It's purpose is to aid 3rd party developers create plugins/software for the card. In this way it is a non-essential system process and can be removed.


-----------------------------------
That's why both games had issues before
Warhammer 4000 Dark Tide also I lost many sounds in game couldn't hear anything like it was with Heusvi CMSS3D

CMSS3D is different if I don't use analog connector and just headphones I let CMSS3D decide what it needs. it needs stereo and I choose the game 5.1 or 7.1 and then it downmixing correctly . can't believe how wrong people are. and then they said it sound wrong
heusvi is doing something else. you give it 7m1 because the virtualization happens in the APO but Real CMSS3D is totally different
so it needs to be sync but never use 7.1 for headphones or just about anything else. not even 2.1, it's for desktop speaker not headphones


You can hear the music at the start, I lost the music when it was set to 7.1 in windows, it was totally gone, it was like mixed 7.1 missing channels converted to Headphones, that's why it sounded like blasted Stereo without spatial direction
No matter if the game was set to Stereo or Surround, the music was gone at the start

I don't have MUSIC at all in the Precinct if I use Headphones > STEREO in windows > Surround in game as it seems there is some miss match. putting 7.1 in Creative control is not the right way, you lose all the height and other special settings

for now what works is Headphones in creative > STEREO in windows > STEREO in game if I put Surround everything sounds like tin stereo overblown and there is no spatial or direction and music is gone.
Now DarkTide was always set to AUTO so it worked one time, I guess it pick STEREO in windows > Headphones > and AUTO was stereo as in game that's why it worked fine.

 
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Do you want to configure your sound this way?

Desktop 2025-06-09 0-03-49-298.png



This is useful with headsets and in games that support multi-channel audio (4.1-5.1-7.1). To ensure it's working properly, you'll need to hear all sounds through your headset. If you want a little more immersion, you should enable X-Fi CMSS3D. Saludos!
 
Do you want to configure your sound this way?

View attachment 403074


This is useful with headsets and in games that support multi-channel audio (4.1-5.1-7.1). To ensure it's working properly, you'll need to hear all sounds through your headset. If you want a little more immersion, you should enable X-Fi CMSS3D. Saludos!
I understand but 5.1 and 7.1 are wrong when set to headphones it double mixing or double upmixing whichever happens . you take stereo headphones then you tell windows you want 5.1 or 7.1 and cmss3d is already upmixing the 3d. so you get a mess. do you really Ike how it sound with headphones and 5.1?
I am not sure you heard heusvi cmss3d but I used it for years and I know exactly how it supposed to sound , with real cmss3d is supposed to be better not weird or worse, if I lose the music in a game when it's headphones 5.1 then something is not right ,when I hear it like tin foil cap it's and not spatial. I tested it, I compared it, and 5.1, 7.1 are wrong
 
I understand but 5.1 and 7.1 are wrong when set to headphones it double mixing or double upmixing whichever happens . you take stereo headphones then you tell windows you want 5.1 or 7.1 and cmss3d is already upmixing the 3d. so you get a mess. do you really Ike how it sound with headphones and 5.1?
I am not sure you heard heusvi cmss3d but I used it for years and I know exactly how it supposed to sound , with real cmss3d is supposed to be better not weird or worse, if I lose the music in a game when it's headphones 5.1 then something is not right ,when I hear it like tin foil cap it's and not spatial. I tested it, I compared it, and 5.1, 7.1 are wrong

I've heard of HeSuVi... watching this demo video:
sounds very similar to playing a game with DirectSound3D and OpenAL support with headphones without using any audio virtualization techniques... This might only be useful for modern games with flat stereo.
 
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