Sound card issues (first time building new computer)

[Kayoto]

Hi everyone, I really need some help here. I just finished building my new computer for the first time, and here are the parts I'm using:

Gigabyte GA-965G-DS3 Motherboard
EVGA 8800 GTS GPU
E6600 Core 2 Duo
250GB IDE Western Digital HD
Ultra V-Series 500W ATX Power Supply
2GB of Corsair RAM
Thermaltake VA3000BW case
5.1 Altec Lansing surround sound speaker system
Creative Labs Soundblaster X-Fi Extreme Gamer sound card


I've successfully built it with no problems, 64-bit Vista Business is installed along with several programs, however..

When I tried to install the sound card into one of the regular PCI slots the system would boot up, but not get past the initial boot up screen (it wouldn't start checking my IDE/PCI devices like it normally does).

I'm not quite sure what the problem is, I thought it might be due to contention between the onboard sound and the sound card but I can't find a way to disable onboard sound through BIOS (onboard graphics is an option but not the sound). I also thought that maybe the PCI slots on my motherboard aren't 2.1 or better (like the card requires) but that would seem rather silly for being a relatively new mobo, and the manual nor any website about this motherboard specifies what type of PCI slots they are (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc).

When I removed the card, my computer operated normally again.

Any suggestions? I could really use some help. Thank you in advance!

[Kayoto]

Update: I tried plugging it into a different PCI slot and the computer boots up, but doesn't recognize the sound card at all. :(

[glc]

I've never heard of onboard sound that can't be disabled in the bios. Go through the screens some more.

[Kayoto]

I just ran through BIOS again and checked the manual.. no option for disabling the onboard sound. I also saw a couple reviewers on newegg mention that they couldn't find any options to do this either (of course I saw these a little too late, heh).

I don't know if this is because I've not yet updated my BIOS (and for that matter, I'm not exactly sure how I go about doing that), but I'm 100% sure that right now I can't disable the onboard sound through my current BIOS. :(

[flanzig1]

Look in the peripheral section og the BIOS for something called "Azalia Codec". According to the Gigabyte web site, that is the Realtek audio driver. Select disable.
http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ClassValue=Motherboard&ProductID=2375&ProductName=GA-965G-DS3

[Kayoto]

Thank you very much, Flanzig. I went into BIOS and disabled the onboard sound (it was indeed called Azalia Codec), but..

..unfortunately, this did not fix my problem. The OS still does not recognize the card at all. Also, oddly enough, the metal frame's screwhole (at the end of the card, where all the speakers plug into) does not match up with my case's screwhole, and I haven't had any problems like that with any other device I've installed. But that's a minor detail, as long as I'm very careful not to rock my case around.. I think.

Anyways, at this point I'm thinking it's just a faulty card, but I'm completely new to this so I could be wrong. Any further suggestions? Once again, all help is greatly appreciated.

[flanzig1]

Check the other end of the metal bracket. The metal could be bent enough not to fit in the slot in the case. It can be bent to make it fit.

[Kayoto]

I'll attempt that if I run into the same problem once I get the card working (or a new card), hehe.