Sound Issues

[Appolyons]

Hey guys, I got a problem here that is driving me up a freaking wall. I currently use the z5500 speakers (5.1). I'm running Windows Vista 64 bit and today I noticed that while the speaker tests shows me having 5.1 (I hear the sound also so I know the speakers work), in games...its only 2 speakers. What the heck is going on?

Also, when I tried changing the speaker settings in a program such as Steam (a program which holds other games like Counter-Strike), I change it to 5.1, do the speaker test and still the sound just comes out of the 2 speakers. I'm at a loss for words. While I'm no computer noob, I'm a Vista noob so perhaps there is an obvious answer I'm missing. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

[mjc]

Do you have the actual drivers for your sound card installed (not the default drivers that come with Vista, but the updated ones for your sound card, from the manufacturer)? You'll need to get the 64-bit versions, if available...

What sound card are you using?

[Appolyons]

I have the Asus 680i motherboard so it came with a decent 24 bit soundcard already. Since I didnt feel like spending more money...i just used it. When I dowloaded the drivers for the mb, the soundcard should have been included with that. Whats weird is though, I just put in bioshock and changed the options to 5.1 and it worked! Whats hitting me as odd though is steam wont work...I'll do the 5.1 stress test and it'll just say error and give me 2 speakers. Could this be a steam issue?

EDIT: Tell me what you guys think, but I'm 99 percent sure this is a vista/program compatability issue. Of course, if I'm mistaken, I'm totaly open to suggestions haha.

[mjc]

There are separate drivers (from the chipset/motherboard...) listed for the Audio for that board.

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=397&model=1439&modelmenu=1