As with most PC parts, a software driver gives a important link between an audio adapter and application or operating system that utilizes it. Operating systems like Windows 9x/me and Windows 2000 or XP add a list of drivers for most of audio adapters in market. In many cases, these drivers are written by company of audio adapter and distributed only by Microsoft. You might discover that drivers that send with adapter are new than those added with operating system. Though usually best place to locate new drivers for a part of hardware has been company's own Web site or other online service, Windows Me, 2000, and XP favor digitally signed drivers that have been certified by Microsoft Hardware Quality Labs. You might find these drivers available at vendor's own web site, but you can also download and install them automatically through Windows Update.

A few DOS applications you might still utilize do not generally add as wide a range of driver support as an operating system, but you must discover that many games and other programs support Sound Blaster adapters. If you are careful to purchase an adapter that is compatible with Sound Blaster, you must have no trouble locating driver support for all your applications. Older ISA Sound Blaster cards given hardware support for DOS games, but new models with most comparable sound cards need you to run software drivers to get Sound Blaster compatibility for DOS games. This software should be run earlier than game begins.

If your game program locks up when you attempt to detect sound card through configuration, set card type and settings manually. This is frequently a sign of insufficient emulation for Sound Blaster by a third-party card. If you have problems, test game developer's or audio adapter's Web site for patches or workarounds.