When full-duplex sound cards starting becoming common on PCs around the time that , Internet calling was born. Sound quality was poor over 28.8 modems, and to speak and hear at the same time, you needed a full-duplex sound card.
Computer support over the web back in 1997 was woefully incomplete. Today people write up elaborate documents for getting Linux to work with various types of hardware. Back then, finding a Windows driver that wasn't on the boot CD could be a needle-in-the-haystack venture as well. There was no Windows update, even the Packard Bell website only had a half-duplex driver. I wrote this page after I found the full-duplex driver for the sound card included in the Packard Bell Platinum X (with a blazing 150 MHz Pentium processor and a whopping 16 MB of RAM).
Here's the original document, Times New Roman on a dingy gray background for that early-web feel. It's been kept moderately up-to-date, so it reads circa 1999 or so rather than 1997. Aztech Labs is one of the few makers of computer products that has preserved file structure on its servers after all this time, so most of the links still work, and I've put mirrored copies for ones that are broken now.
If you just want to grab the driver(s),
The drivers listed above are for the Aztech AZT2316/R chipset. This is the chipset used in the sound cards of most Packard Bell computers. However, Aztech Labs does produce these chips for other purposes.
Originally, this page was created to give information about the full-duplex uses of the driver. All modern Packard Bell computers include full-duplex sound cards that allow you to record and playback audio at the same time. This is crucial for Internet telephone and voice-chat software. However, Packard Bell preinstalls half-duplex sound card drivers on most of its computers.
When I ran into this problem, I got no help from Packard Bell technical support. So, I opened up my computer case and copied down the markings on all the chips on the sound card. One of them said, "Aztech Labs AZT2316/R." I was able to find the company's home page, and voilą! The problem was solved.
I've upgraded to a better computer, and old Packard Bells with this chipset are slowly falling out of use, but I've seen no good reason to take this page down. Occasionally, someone working with old PB's still finds use for this information.
Back to top.Many people come here for other Aztech Labs drivers. These two are the most common requests:
Please note -- the installation procedure for these drivers may be somewhat different from those for the standard 2316 Win95 driver. Refer to the README file included inside the ZIP files for more information.If you're having trouble searching for a Windows 2000 or Windows XP driver for your sound card, you may be able to use Windows NT drivers.
You can also go to Aztech Labs' own drivers page. If that doesn't help, don't hesitate to e-mail me. I normally get back to you within a week. If you're having problems with something other than your sound card, I may also be able to help. No guarantees, but usually I can be of assistance.
Other web sites where you can search for drivers are Driverguide.com and Driverfiles.net. Windrivers.com now requires paid membership, I've never needed to pay for someone to find drivers for me so I don't know if it's worth the money.
Back to top.Unzip the ZIP file in a temporary directory (e.g. "c:\temp") and follow the directions below to install. If you need an unzipper, you can download Info-Zip for free.
Unzip the ZIP file in a temporary directory (e.g. "c:\temp") and follow the directions below to install. If you need an unzipper, you can download Info-Zip for free.
If you already have a sound driver installed (and most people do), you'll first need to REMOVE (not just disable) the existing sound driver. Here's how to do it:
If you would like to install a Gameport Joystick Driver or a driver for MIDI music, repeat these steps. When selecting a driver to install, select the appropriate driver.
Back to top.It has come to my attention that this site is listed on the link pages of several Packard Bell/NEC hate sites. Some people come here expecting to find vitriolic anti-PB sentiment, and e-mail me, puzzled.
So here's my position: I don't hate the company, nor do I love it. They don't make the best computers. The parts are not of the highest quality and the technical support is abysmal. Their tech support can solve simple problems, but anything serious and you're pretty much out of luck.
My personal experience shows this: Packard Bell didn't even include a full-duplex sound driver with my Platinum X, so I had to spend valuable time looking for one. In addition, the hard disk failed after only one year of use! Warranty period over -- they refused to cover it. Contrast this with my experience with IBM. I bought a floor model which lacked some components. When the keyboard turned out to be bad, they sent me a new one. They've also sent me some missing software and a missing noise-cancelling microphone. No haggling -- fast service. The difference is staggering.
I created this page to help other PB/NEC owners in their plight. This is not a Packard Bell/NEC hate page. However, if you run a PB/NEC hate page, feel free to link to my page. I have no problems with that. Owners of PB computers may finally find the solution to their problems on this page. Personally, I'm here to be helpful, not to stir up anti-PB sentiment.
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