If I change to Linux Ubuntu will my old SoundBlaster soundcard and some of my software that I used with windows XP still work?
2 Answers
According to this site, at least SoundBlaster 1.0, SoundBlaster 16, SoundBlaster 16ASP, SoundBlaster 2.0, SoundBlaster 32, SoundBlaster 64, SoundBlaster AWE32, SoundBlaster AWE64, SoundBlaster Live!, SoundBlaster PCI 128 SoundBlaster PCI 512, SoundBlaster Pro, SoundBlaster Vibra16, SoundBlaster Vibra16X are supported.
Many times, older hardware works perfectly under Linux/Ubuntu.
Windows software does not run on Linux, unless it is through Wine (a "compatibility layer capable of running Windows applications") in many cases, but definitely not all. You will find more detailed information here to find if your application(s) will work through Wine.
At the same time, I should remark that in almost all cases the Linux equivalents of WIndows programs work perfectly and the exchange of files between Linux and Windows is no problem at all in these days. Many (nearly all) of the document formats are even the same.
There is an extensive post on Askubuntu about running software here.
- 85,475
I had no problem at all with my sound cards in Ubuntu. I can confirm it works fine with SoundBlaster Live! and SoundBlaster X-Fi. However, it has less options so do not hold your breath.
And to the software: there exist Cedega, PlayOnLinux and Crossover which use different relations with Wine. If the Wine itself cannot run specific software, you should try one of them.
- 13,384