USB Stereo Audio Adapter External Sound Card with SPDIF Digital Audio and Built-in Microphone

Questions & Answers

How do I install my sound card in Windows Vista / 7 / 8? (.exe method)
Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed). Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support . The part number and product ID are on the product packaging. Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:Users your_name Downloads). After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All , and complete the instructions. In the list of extracted files, right-click the Setup.exe file and click Run as Administrator . Note : If the Run as Administrator option is not available, you might be attempting to run the installer from within the zipped file. Complete the instructions in step 2 to extract the files. Complete the instructions to install the device drivers, and restart your computer when prompted to. After your computer restarts, connect the USB sound card to your computer. Your computer automatically finishes installing the driver and your device should be ready to use.

How do I install my sound card in Windows XP? (.exe method)
Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed). Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at http://www.startech.com/Support . The part number and product ID are on the product packaging. Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:Documents and Settings your_name My DocumentsDownloads). After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All , and complete the instructions. In the list of extracted files, double-click the Setup.exe file. Complete the instructions to install the device drivers, and restart your computer when prompted to. Your computer automatically finishes installing the driver and your device should be ready to use.

Why does my USB device stop working after my computer wakes back up from sleep mode in Windows?
If the USB device does not work after your computer has been in extended hibernation, it is likely that Windows has automatically turned off the USB Root hub to save power. The steps below outline how to configure the USB root hub to stay on during hibernation, to prevent this from happening. Windows 10 / 8 On your keyboard, press the Windows key + X and select Control Panel . Click Hardware and Sound , then click Power Options . Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change. Click Change advanced power settings . Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled . Click OK to apply the setting. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection. Windows 7 / Vista Click the Start button and select Control Panel . Click Hardware and Sound , then click Power Options . Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change. Click Change advanced power settings . Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled . Click OK to apply the setting. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection. Windows XP On your desktop, right-click the My Computer icon and select Properties . Click the Device Manager tab. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers by clicking the arrow to the left of it. Right-click the first USB Root Hub device and select Properties . Click the Power Management tab. Clear the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power . Click OK to apply the setting. Repeat steps 4-7 for any remaining devices in the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section with “ Root Hub ” in the name. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

Why is my 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound not working from the digital (S/PDIF) output?
The audio format of your source media may be uncompressed (lossless). Uncompressed surround sound audio is not supported by digital (S/PDIF) connections due to bandwidth limitations. When your lossless 5.1 or 7.1 audio content is sent through the Digital S/PDIF connection, data will be lost which can result in limited 2-channel audio playback. This issue is not an isolated limitation of this StarTech.com audio adapter, as uncompressed surround sound is universally incompatible with digital (S/PDIF) audio. Digital (S/PDIF) audio supports: 2-channel PCM audio Compressed surround sound audio (Dolby Digital, DD+, DTS, DTS-ES) Digital (S/PDIF) audio does NOT support: More than 2-channels of PCM audio Uncompressed surround sound audio (DD-TrueHD, DTS-Master Audio) Playback of digital surround sound is dependent on a variety of factors, including the audio format of your source media, your playback software, and your audio receiver. Digital (S/PDIF) channel settings are managed by the source and playback devices, and cannot be manually configured like analog audio.

Everything is hooked up but nothing is working. What should I do? (Windows)
When you troubleshoot issues with a sound card, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue: Stereo audio cables Speakers or headsets Sound card To test your setup components, try the following: Use the stereo audio cables, speakers or headsets, and sound card in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup. Use a different set of stereo audio cables, speakers or headphones, and sound card in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup. When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following: Test each cable individually. Use short cables when you are testing. When you test the speakers or headsets and sound card, it is recommended that you do the following: Press the Windows key + R , type devmgmt.msc , and press Enter to open Device Manager . Check to see if your device is listed under Sound, video and game . If you do not see the sound card in Device Manager please see this FAQ for PCI/PCIe expansion cards: https://www.startech.com/en-us/faq/pci-pcie-cannot-boot-os-or-detect-windows or this FAQ for USB devices: https://www.startech.com/en-us/faq/usb-cannot-detect-windows . If the device is listed with an error, follow the instructions on the website to reinstall the drivers. Make sure that the default playback device in Sound is the sound card that you installed. To check the default playback device on a computer that is running a version of Windows XP, do the following: Click Start . Click Control Panel . Click Sound and Audio Devices . Click the Audio tab. In the Default device drop-down menu, click the sound card. To check the default playback device on a computer that is running a version of Windows Vista or Windows 7, do the following: Click Start . Click Control Panel . Click Hardware and Sound . Click Sound . On the Playback tab, right-click the sound card and click Set as Default Device . To check the default playback device on a computer that is running a version of Windows 8, do the following: Press the Windows key + X . Click Control Panel . Click Hardware and Sound . Click Sound . Click the Audio tab. On the Playback tab, right-click the sound card and click Set as Default Device .

How do I confirm that Windows detects my USB device?
To confirm that Windows detects your USB device, complete the following: Press the Windows key+ R , type devmgmt.msc , and press Enter . In Device Manager , under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it. For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers . Your USB device is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your USB device, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

How can I check if my USB device is properly detected by Mac OS?
To confirm that the Mac OS detects your USB device, complete the following: Click the Apple icon. Click About This Mac . Click More Info or System Report . Under the appropriate heading, confirm that your USB device is listed and that there isn't an error. For example, a network card would be under Ethernet Cards . You may need to refresh the System Information page after you plug in your device. To do so, press Command + R with the System Information page open. Your USB device is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your USB device, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

What to Do When Windows Cannot Detect New USB Device
To check if Windows detects your USB device, you need to go to Device Manager to see if your USB device is listed under the appropriate heading or listed with an error. For example, an appropriate heading for a USB serial adapter is Ports (COM & LPT) . The USB device is displayed in Device Manager under the name of the chipset. To find the name of the chipset for your product, navigate to https://www.startech.com , search for your product, and click the Technical Specifications tab. To open Device Manager, press the Windows key + R , type devmgmt.msc , and press Enter . If you install a new USB device and Windows cannot detect the USB device, you can perform some quick tests to rule out potential issues. Open Device Manager and then disconnect the USB device from your computer. Wait a few moments and then reconnect the device. You should see a device disappear from Device Manager when you remove the device, and it should appear again when you reconnect the device. Connect the USB device to another USB port. Connect the USB device to another computer. Update the USB device drivers.