Help/Info Needed for .pid and Creative

[heatherad]

I could use some help and/or info on a problem I'm having accessing .pid files for my Creative files.
I use SoundBlaster live and although it is reading in my audio properties, I just noticed that all the .pid files are not being accessed. When I look at the file properties, the *opens with* properties say unknown.
If anyone has knowledge on Creative technology and Soundblaster, I would greatly appreciate any input. Also, what program is recommended by Windows XP for opening .pid files?
I lost just about everything on my hard drive months ago when I upgraded to Windows XP and I'm still trying to restore things that I don't have a clue about.

 

[winbig]

I'm confused, why would you want to open them?

All they are are driver files....

File Type 1 Creative Driver File (Most common)
Category System Files
Common? No
File Description Hardware driver file such as "PdtIdMgr.pid," installed by Creative software; typically installed in the "Program Files\Creative\Shared Files\" directory along with other driver files; enables communication with Creative hardware devices, such as sound cards or portable media players like the Creative Zen.

 

[bb28]

I'm with winbig here, why would you want to open them? These are system files created by Creative/XP.
Did you mean to say that you are looking for some other type of files? Music files maybe?

You can get support for your Creative product here. Outdated URL (Invalid)
There are several options for help.

 

[heatherad]

I'm confused, why would you want to open them?

All they are are driver files....

As I've stated, Im trying to get some things working on here that I don't have a clue about, lol.
I thought that if I was able to open them then I would be able to fix the problem I'm having which is...1. It doesn't give me the option to play my mp3's with Creative Surround Sound, and 2. Being able to get my Surround Sound mixer up and running again.
Doesn't my Creative drive need to read certain files to run correctly?

I'm with winbig here, why would you want to open them? These are system files created by Creative/XP.
Did you mean to say that you are looking for some other type of files? Music files maybe?

You can get support for your Creative product here. Outdated URL (Invalid)
There are several options for help.

I contacted creative support and my warranty has run out long ago so they can't help me there unless I pay an arm and a leg for their continued help.
All I am looking for is some suggestions on how to get the option up and running to play my music as I cannot find any files for Surround Sound on this dang thing and be able to access the Surround Sound Mixer *sigh*

 

[winbig]

Have you tried reinstalling the software that came with your card? And if so, did you make sure to install the actual software instead of just the drivers?

 

[bb28]

Have you tried reinstalling the software that came with your card? And if so, did you make sure to install the actual software instead of just the drivers?

Winbig suggestion is excellent and if that doesn't help, try the forum over at Creative at the link I posted above.

Good luck!

 

[heatherad]

Have you tried reinstalling the software that came with your card? And if so, did you make sure to install the actual software instead of just the drivers?

If I could find the software to re-install it I would. Everything that was installed on the computer before the techies wiped my hard drive clean, was put on by my ex. The only thing I can find is the information book on the product itself. And uh..no, I can't contact him to find out where anything else is, that would not be a good thing, lol.
I really appreciate you're input and trying to help, thank you.

 

[heatherad]

Winbig suggestion is excellent and if that doesn't help, try the forum over at Creative at the link I posted above.

Good luck!

I can certainly try that avenue again bb28. They weren't too helpful the first time but it won't hurt for me to try again.

Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it.

 

[winbig]

If I could find the software to re-install it I would. Everything that was installed on the computer before the techies wiped my hard drive clean, was put on by my ex. The only thing I can find is the information book on the product itself. And uh..no, I can't contact him to find out where anything else is, that would not be a good thing, lol.

ok, it definitely sounds as if they never installed the actual software that came with the card, and only installed the drivers for it. That explains everything, including why the program you're used to using isn't coming up anymore.

Head over to

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

, and choose the card model that you have, and you can download everything you need there

 

[bb28]

If I could find the software to re-install it I would. Everything that was installed on the computer before the techies wiped my hard drive clean, was put on by my ex. The only thing I can find is the information book on the product itself. And uh..no, I can't contact him to find out where anything else is, that would not be a good thing, lol.
I really appreciate you're input and trying to help, thank you.

You can download the software from Creative here.

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

There is even an option to help you that will direct you as to what device and software you have/need.

 

[bb28]

Faster on the gun than me uh Winbig??? :notworthy:notworthy

 

[heatherad]

ok, it definitely sounds as if they never installed the actual software that came with the card, and only installed the drivers for it. That explains everything, including why the program you're used to using isn't coming up anymore.

Head over to

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

, and choose the card model that you have, and you can download everything you need there

You can download the software from Creative here.

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

There is even an option to help you that will direct you as to what device and software you have/need.

I'm going to head on over there now. What was making it so difficult over there in the first place other than the warranty is that I don't have the model number, only the serial number.
This one was put on the computer way back in 1999. I looked on the speakers and boom box for the model number but as usual, nothing is ever there when I need it.
Again, thanks bunches for your help.

P.S. If I disappear for a few days you know I done something wrong and crashed my computer. Thats always the way it is with me and a computer

 

[winbig]

I'm going to head on over there now. What was making it so difficult over there in the first place other than the warranty is that I don't have the model number, only the serial number.
This one was put on the computer way back in 1999. I looked on the speakers and boom box for the model number but as usual, nothing is ever there when I need it.
Again, thanks bunches for your help.

If you call support and give them your serial #, they should be able to tell you which model it is.
Another way to find this out is to:

1 - open the control panel
2 - open "system"
3 - click on hardware
4 - click on device manager
5 - click on sound, video and game controllers

It should show the model of your card in that list...

 

[bb28]

Try letting their software scan and tell you what it is. If that doesn't work.....you mentioned it was soundblaster live and you also mentioned the age of your computer, so it's likely it's just the soundblaster basic live option. Have you checked on your own computer for the properties. Go to Start...then control panel, then click on system, then click on the hardware tab. Then click device manager, then you will see something such as this.
Then click on the sound and hopefully your sound card properties will be displayed.

 

[bb28]

Winbig..........are we good or what????

:notworthy:notworthy

 

[heatherad]

LOL, yes you folks are good!
I did the scan when I first went to their site bb28 and it said I didn't need any updates.
I will keep working on it until I give up

 

[bb28]

LOL, yes you folks are good!
I did the scan when I first went to their site bb28 and it said I didn't need any updates.
I will keep working on it until I give up

The best way to learn is not give up. Most of what little I know came from the school of hard knocks.

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

If you are pretty confident that your soundcard is Soundblaster Live, here is the link for the software on their page.

Download it and install and let us know how it goes.

 

[heatherad]

Not sure if this will shed any light on the matter but here is what is showing when I click on the Sound Properties.

Creative SB Live!
Manufacturer: Creative
Location: PCI Slot 2 (PCI bus 0, device 14, function 0)
This device is working properly.

 

[bb28]

Ok it is SB live so........the last link I gave you is to the correct software and drivers. Go download and install and let us know how it goes. Download the complete package, 2nd link on the page.

 

[heatherad]

Ok it is SB live so........the last link I gave you is to the correct software and drivers. Go download and install and let us know how it goes. Download the complete package, 2nd link on the page.

Well, I downloaded the 2 one and installed it okay. The surround mixer doesn't look the same but the problem is, I now have no sound whatsoever, lol.
I did the speaker test and the sound was fine there but went to play an mp3 and no sound. I even opened it with windows media player that I was using and still no sound. OH MY NERVES!

 

[bb28]

What do you mean when you say speaker test? Do you have sound from other things on your computer? Have you looked in the sound options on Windows Media player?

 

[heatherad]

What do you mean when you say speaker test? Do you have sound from other things on your computer? Have you looked in the sound options on Windows Media player?

Something is telling me that the whole problem has got to do with the fact that I don't have the Creative player at all. By that I mean I don't have the mp3 player at all. I use to be able to click on an mp3 and the Creative player would come up and from there I could access the surround mixer and everything.
By speaker test I mean I went into the surround sound mixer and clicked on test for speakers. A woman would say "left front speaker, right front speaker" etc, etc. This is the only sound coming from my computer at the moment.
And here all along I thought the only thing I needed to know about computers was how to turn it on/off and access emails.
I'm going to check windows media now.

 

[bb28]

If you are referring to the Creative software that you used to play your mp3's with, and your speakers are working, then that isn't the problem. The creative software is not required to listen to your music. When you first noticed the problem did you still have the creative software, and it showed your music but it wouldn't play?

Your speakers are working, so that is good. Have you let windows media player scan your hard drive for your songs? You do have mp3's still on your hard drive right? Just thought I'd make sure since you said they wiped your drive. If you are sure you still have your mp3's, then go into options on windows media player and then hit the library tab, then click on folder and find your music folder. If you can't find the folder, let me know. 1st let's make sure you do have music on there.

We'll get it figured out since you do have sound. Consider this a good learning experience.

 

[heatherad]

I know its frustrating bb28 but I'm going to try and explain as best I can, lol.
Okay, first off...when I'd click on an mp3 to play, a little black mp3 player would come up to play my mp3's. I'll call it an mp3 player but it is what played all my music be it mp3's, cd's etc. It was Creative something or other and it had the name of the song and how long it was playing etc etc. From this same device that played my music I could click on an icon and it would take me to the Surround Sound mixer.
Although I had the soundcard, I did not have the Creative player. This is what I am missing. I checked windows media player and the speakers are set to SB Live. I clicked on a song that was listed in my Creative playlist but it didn't detect it and yes, I do have mp3's on my computer now...all 10 of them lol.
I thought if I had the surround sound mixer that it would include the Creative Player, but it doesn't and I don't have it. Not sure if that is making sense
I am missing the actual Creative CD player/mp3 player thingy. It would be like me saying I have the windows media drivers installed but I don't have the windows media player.

 

[bb28]

More than likely the version you had of Creative's player is not available anymore and you no longer have the discs, so let's work with what you have. If it didn't install it when you downloaded the stuff from creative, you are out of luck. I used to have it so I am familiar with it.

Did you go into options on windows media player and tell it where to find your music?


Surround card mixer is part of your soundcard software, not the creative player software.
If you did and your listening to your tunes, then we'll move on.

 

[heatherad]

Right now I don't have any sound at all. I have a mega headache though and need to call it a night as its going on 11:30P.M. and work tomorrow.
Lets call it a night for now and maybe tomorrow after I get off work I'll take another look at it. I really appreciate you're hanging in there with me bb28
I did everything you suggested so far but maybe a fresh start tomorrow will be more successful. In the meantime you have a good night and I'll drop back in tomorrow. Thanks again for all you're doing to help.

 

[bb28]

You are welcome!
Tomorrow is another day!

 

[heatherad]

bb28...it is the Creative Playcenter that I need!
I am one step ahead though because when I checked at the Creative website, I needed to have stuff that you gave me the link for last night installed before I can download the Playcenter.
I'm heading out to work in a bit so I will hopefully spend some time on it later tonight when I get home.
Have a great day!