Speakers

[zcinema123]

AgeKay, just download the driver from Logitech website. the latest have been around for very long time.

anyway have you tried using the device manager "have disk' option as mentioned in first post?

- Install Logitech Z Cinema software

- Open Device Manager

- Right click Z-Cinema speakers

- Update driver software

- Choose "Browse my computer for driver"

- Select C:\Program Files\Logitech\Z Cinema\Drivers\

and then check if the speaker is working properly.

[AgeKay]

Yes, it says that it's already up-to-date.  

Are you using 32-bit or 64-bit and which fix helped you? I've literally spent already more than 12h trying to get this to work. I've tried every fix on this site. Can't believe how poor the support of Z Cinema on Windows 7 is.  

[zcinema123]

im using 32bit windows 7 ultimate. oh that's weird, because in my computer it will then 'update' the driver and make the speaker usable. have you tried uninstalling the z cinema and "delete software driver" in device manager? usually it will 'reset' the speaker, or try a new USB port.

[AgeKay]

Yes, tried that also. I get the feeling the problem is 64 bit. I am going to install the 32 bit version and try again.

[zcinema123]

oh well, that seems like a bad news. i mean in the near future many are going to opt for 64-bit OS and it really disappointing to be not able to use my Logitech Z Cinema through USB, since troublesome to use AUX.

[AgeKayAgain]

This is AgeKay again. It seems like Logitech disabled my login for some reason.

So I've finally found the problem and I don't think any longer that 64bit was specifically responsible for it. Actually, it's not even Logitech's fault. I had my Z Cinema speakers connected to a USB hub which was connected to my computer. This worked without problems on Windows XP, but caused the famous crashes of the speakers on Windows 7. I had to connect the speakers directly with the computer (i.e. not use the USB hub) to get it to on Windows 7. So it's basically Windows 7's fault, because it seems that they have changed the prioritisation of USB devices where Z Cinema is not getting enough bandwidth, probably leading to a communciation problem which cause the crashes. 

[Mazinja]

Hello.

I've had the Z Cinema speakers for a while. They worked pretty well when my computer had 64-bit Vista, but now that I have 64-bit Windows 7 I get a static noise on the speakers, which sounds like a common problem.

However, I noticed the weirdest thing. Whenever my ipod touch (and now iPhone) are connected to the computer, the noise misteriously vanishes and I can use them as normal.

Of course I would rather not ruin my iPhone's battery by overcharging it, I would prefer to find a solution that doesn't involve leaving it connected all the time. However, I don't know if anybody has noticed this curious thing before?

[zcinema123]

i would try using other USB ports as starter, and avoid USB hub if you're using one... also, check if you have set it to stereo instead of 5.1 surround in sound control panel.

[g525]

I had setup email notifications when someone replied to this thread but I never got anything when you guys replied.

- Just an update, when I upgraded to sp1 on my desktop pc, my speakers started crashing my whole pc. I didn't think it was the speakers at first as the crashes would happen even though the speakers weren't turned on and I wasn't playing any audio (but the speakers were still directly connected to usb port back of pc). After a few days of burn in tests thinking it was a hardware issue and at my wits end, I realized the updated usbaudio.sys (6.1.7601.17514) driver and overwrote the file with the old version that worked (6.1.7600.16385 - this is the version installed prior to sp1), but that didn't work.

My PC would still just lock up and be completely unusable, I would need to hard reset it.I tried my speakers on my laptop which has win7 ultimate 32bit + sp1 and it was the same thing! So for sure it was the newer usbaudio.sys file. I wasn't able to uninstall sp1 on my desktop pc, so I re-installed win7 32bit, did my trick again and speakers back to working. been a month, no crashing like before. I guess I won't be updating to sp1, oh well.

@Wille84 - I only have the 2 full range speaker option, I had the 5.1 when the logitech drivers from 2007 were installed when first installing zcinema software. When I reverted back to the windows one, it goes back to the 2 speaker setup. But from the Speaker Properties in windows (Control panel/Sound/ double click Zcinema) you can go under enhancements and select virtual sound)

@AgeKay - I'm glad you solved your promblem.

[zcinema123]

@g525

i do not have problem with Win7 Ultimate SP1 32-bit. even the Z Cinema works in Windows Server 2008 R2 with no problems. however, i do not install the z-cinema software at all now. so it doesn't come with 5.1 speakers option, and it doesnt come with any virtual surround