Using Soundscape under Windows 95

This document contains important information regarding the installation and use of the Soundscape driver under the Windows 95 operating system. Print this document and keep it for later reference. This document was written with version 1.00.07 of the Install Wizard drivers in mind, so make sure you are not using any version older than this before following these procedures. Future versions of the Install Wizard should also pertain to the following procedures.

What this document contains:

    We have included information on the following topics:

  1. Installing the Win95 drivers.
  2. Total Uninstall of Existing Soundscape Windows 95 Drivers.
  3. Accessing the driver configuration.
  4. Changing hardware settings.
  5. Changing volume and balance levels.
  6. DMA Channel information.
  7. Missing multimedia services.
  8. TV and Modem sliders.
  9. Microphone problems.
  10. Full Duplex sound.
  11. CD Audio problems.
  12. Games in DOS Mode.

Installing the Windows 95 Soundscape Software

  1. Open the Explorer, and select the drive and directory where the drivers are located.
  2. If you downloaded the file from the web or other electronic service, double click that file to execute it. If you have a floppy or CDROM version, double click the WIZARD.EXE file.
  3. Choose "Next", then select "Remove and Install Software" and click "Next".
  4. Choose "Next" to begin scanning and removing any old drivers from your system.
  5. Choose "Next" to begin installing the new drivers. This may take a few minutes. Do NOT click "Next" more than one time, or else multiple drivers may be installed.
  6. Once the Gameport Joystick is detected, choose "Windows Default Driver" and click "OK". You may be prompted to insert your original Win95 CD at this time.
  7. Click "Next" when prompted to begin the DOS driver installation.
  8. Click "Next" at the opening screen. The default path is C:\SNDSCAPE, but can be changed if you wish by clicking "Browse" (we recommend keeping the default). Click "Next".
  9. Once this is done, click "Finish". Your sound card should now be operational.

If you have not already done so, you should install the Win95 multimedia applications. These include: a mixer, Media Player, Sound Recorder, and a CD Player. See "Why are some of the Multimedia Services Missing" below for more assistance.

At this point, you can test your card simply by playing a WAV file and a MIDI file using the Media Player program included with Windows 95. If these files are unable to play, please refer to the section titled "Driver Configuration".
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Total Uninstall of Existing Soundscape Windows 95 Drivers

It is sometimes necessary to perform a complete manual uninstall of the drivers. You should use the following procedure if you are having problems installing/upgrading the Soundscape drivers.

  1. Use "Explorer" to locate your Windows\Inf folder on your hard drive.
  2. Open the folder, and arrange the files in alphabetical order. (If you do not see the INF folder under WINDOWS, go to "View", "Options", "Show all files".)
  3. Determine how many OEM*.INF files you have in this folder. (The "*" indicates a number, for example OEM1.INF )
  4. Double click on the first OEM*.INF file in the Windows\Inf folder to open it. If you see `Provider="Ensoniq"' on the 4th line, close the file and delete it. Do NOT delete any file unless ENSONIQ is the provider of that file.
  5. Repeat step 4 for each OEM*.INF file.
  6. Remove Soundscape device in Device Manager. (Control Panel, System, Device Manager, double click "Sound, Video and Game Controllers", highlight "ENSONIQ Soundscape", click on "Remove"). Doing this only disables the device. It does not remove the actual drivers.
  7. Use "Add/Remove Programs" in the "Control Panel" to remove the Soundscape programs.
  8. Use "Find" to locate existing Soundscape driver files on your hard drive. Click on the "Start" button in the toolbar. Highlight "Find", then highlight "Files or Folders" and left click. Enter the name of the file to look for in the "Named" box (the Soundscape files are listed below), and select which drive to "Look in" (this will be the drive that Win95 is installed into). Now, left click the "Find Now" button. When the file is found, left click the filename and hit the Delete key on your keyboard. Click yes if prompted to send the file to the Recycle bin. If more than one copy of the file is found, delete all of them.
    Ssdrv.hlp
    Scope.cod
    Sndscape.ini
    Sndscape.co0
    Sndscape.co1
    Sndscape.co2
    Sndscape.co3
    Sndscape.co4 (This file may not be on your computer. Disregard if not present.)
    Sndscape.vxd
    Sndscp95.drv


  9. Remove Soundscape Program Group. Choose "Start" on the Taskbar, "Settings", "Taskbar", "Start Menu Programs", "Remove", left click Soundscape folder, and left click "Remove". Click yes if prompted to send the files to the Recycle bin. Now click the "Close" button, then the "OK" button.
  10. Certain items should be removed from the Registry (not all systems will have these items). Left click the "Start" button in the toolbar, highlight "Run" and left click. In the "Open" box, type REGEDIT and click OK.
  11. First, backup your Registry files. On the menu bar, select Registry, Export a Registry file. Pick a file name to copy Registry files to, then press Save. This will back up your Registry.
  12. On the Registry menu bar, select "Edit", "Find", and search for the string "MT32". This search should bring you to the MS-DOSOptions section of the Registry. The display will be shown in a split screen format. On the left side, select and delete ONLY the following items by left clicking them and pressing the Delete key on the keyboard.
    Sndscape environment variable
    MT32
    SSinit


  13. Exit from the Registry.
  14. Restart your computer.
  15. Now, you are ready to install the drivers again. See "Installing the Windows 95 Soundscape Software" above for more assistance.

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Driver Configuration

To access the driver configuration page:

  1. Right click on "My Computer" and select "Properties".
  2. Select the Device Manager tab.
  3. Double-click on "Sound, video, and game controllers". This will expand that tree branch, allowing you to see the ENSONIQ Soundscape driver.
  4. Select the ENSONIQ Soundscape branch and click "Properties".
  5. You can obtain help on the various Property Page options.
  6. Click on the (?) in the title bar and select the option for which you need help.


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Common Questions

The following questions and answers can serve as a guide when using your Soundscape card in the Windows 95 operating environment. Read through all of them, even if you don't have the same question or situation.
Please note: If your soundcard came pre-installed in your PC, you should contact your manufacturer to make sure that you have the correct drivers for you soundcard. Using drivers distributed by ENSONIQ may be different from OEM (original equipment manufacturer) drivers and might void your warranty or forfeit your technical support through your computer's manufacturer. Some of the configurations that follow may not pertain to your system.
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How do I change the Soundscape hardware settings in Windows 95?

With Windows 95, there is no longer any need to use SSINIT. You can make all hardware configuration changes using the Soundscape driver. The Soundscape driver is located in the control panel. To change IRQ and DMA Values:

  1. Go into System Properties, and select the Device Manager.
  2. Scroll down to the Sound, Video, and Game Controller selection and double click it. It will expand into more subsets, one of which says ENSONIQ Soundscape.
  3. Click on "ENSONIQ Soundscape", then click the "Properties" button at the bottom of the window.
  4. At the top of the properties menu, select the page titled "Resources".
  5. About halfway down on the page, there is a selection for use automatic settings. Remove the check mark from the box.
  6. Scroll up and down in the resource setting window to select an IRQ or DMA to change.
  7. When the desired setting is highlighted, click on the "Change Setting" box just below the resource setting window. You can now choose a new setting for this parameter.
  8. If it does not allow these values to be changed, you may have to switch to a different configuration. This is done by clicking on the window that says "Settings based on", then switching to a different Basic Configuration.


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How do I change volume and balance levels in Windows 95?

To make adjustments to Soundscape's volume settings and balance levels, use the Windows 95 mixer. To view the mixer, click through the hierarchy of pop-up menus, beginning with the Start button of the task bar. From there, click on "Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, and Volume" control (the mixer). Since you will probably change these settings often, it is a good idea to place the mixer in the taskbar. Here's how:

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Double click on the Multimedia icon. The Multimedia Properties page appears.
  3. In the playback section, check the box marked "Show volume control" in task bar. The mixer can now be invoked by double-clicking on the speaker icon located on the right side of the taskbar.


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Why are there now two DMA Channels?

Under Windows 95, the Soundscape card is capable of full duplex. This means that the card can play back 2 simultaneous WAV files, or can playback one while recording another. In order for this to happen, the sound card must dedicate 2 DMA channels.
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Why are some of the Multimedia Services missing?

At the time Win95 is installed, it is possible that Windows will not install the sound utilities that you would expect to find. Features such as the Audio CODEC, the Media Player, and the Microsoft Mixer may not be present. This may cause your sound card to not respond properly, or not respond at all, when our drivers are installed. If this is the case, these applications must be installed onto the system from the Windows 95 CD-ROM. Here's how:

  1. Go to the Control Panel and select Add/Remove new programs.
  2. Go to the Windows Setup menu.
  3. Scroll down to Multimedia and highlight it.
  4. Click on "Details", and choose the components that you would like to install.


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The TV and Modem sections of Audiostation aren't working right. Why?
The mixer utility in the Audiostation provided with the Win95 Software Apps can be used under Windows 95. However, there are selections (TV and Modem) that will not function properly unless used with a plug-and- play card. The mixer provided with Win95 should also work well. This is located in the taskbar next to the current time. It is represented by a small speaker icon. If this is not present, first make sure it is installed. See the preceding section for instructions on how to install the Microsoft mixer volume control.
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Why does my Microphone record at very low levels or not at all?

For ease of installation, we recommend that you use a dynamic microphone. These require the least amount of setup. We have tested Creative Labs and Labtec brand microphones, and have found for the most part that they are not totally compatible with Soundscape. Follow these steps to be sure that your software is set up correctly for mic input:

  1. In your toolbar, next to the clock, double click on the speaker icon.
  2. Go to the Options menu, and select "Advanced Controls".
  3. Go to the Options menu, and select "Properties".
  4. Under adjust volume for playback, make sure the "Mic/Line" box is checked.
  5. Hit the "OK" button.
  6. Make sure the Mic/Line slider is all the way up, and that the mute button is not checked.
  7. Click on the Advanced button located beneath the Mic/Line slider.
  8. In `Other Controls', make sure the 1 Mic/Line Switch has a check mark next to it.
  9. Close down the volume control and test the microphone.


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Why isn't my sound card working in Full Duplex?

The Soundscape card is capable of full duplex operation. To check and make sure that the software settings are correct:

  1. Go to the Control Panel and select the Multimedia icon.
  2. You should be on the Multimedia Properties audio page.
  3. If the Playback Device and the Record Device are set to the same address, this is only Half Duplex.
  4. Change the Playback Device so it is different from the Record Device.
  5. Hit the "Apply" button, then hit the "OK" button.
  6. You should now be in Full Duplex mode.

NOTE: The above only applies to the Soundscape and SoundscapeELITE cards. The SoundscapeVIVO 90 card will be full duplex with the same Playback and Record device selected.
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Why doesn't my CD audio work?

First, check to make sure that you are using the newest versions of the Applications designed for Win95. The old Audiostation for Win 3.1 will not work correctly. Next, be sure that your CD volume is turned up to maximum in the Audiostation mixer. On the back of your sound card, be sure that there are NO connectors plugged into the CD/AUX input as this will override your internal connection.
If you still aren't getting music, you will need to verify that the internal patch cable is connected between your CD ROM drive and the Soundscape card. This is typically a small connector with four wires coming out of it. If it is connected but not working, try unplugging it and re-connecting it to another connector (there are three to choose from). If this does not work, there is a chance that the patch cable is broken or defective. Another tip is to obtain a 1/8" stereo patch cord and connect one end to the "headphone out" on the front of the CD-ROM drive, and the other end to the CD/AUX input on the back of the Soundscape card. Make sure the headphone volume dial on the CD- ROM drive is at maximum, and try playing a CD. You should hear the music playing. If your internal patch cable is missing or defective, contact your CD-ROM manufacturer for information on how to obtain another cable.
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Can I still play my DOS games?

Some games may require that Win95 reboot into DOS Mode in order to play properly. The Install Wizard will automatically initialize the card when the system is Shut down to MS-DOS Mode.

(PLEASE NOTE: A new file has been included that automates the DOS Mode initialization process. This file is INITSS.BAT, and it is run every time the computer is "Shut Down to MS- DOS Mode". If the sound card does not automatically initialize on its own in DOS Mode, then try running the INITSS.BAT file from the C:\SNDSCAPE directory at the DOS prompt. There should be no lines in the AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, or DOSSTART.BAT files to initialize Soundscape in DOS Mode anymore.

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