5.1 not working sometimes

I am running Z-5500's through an X-Fi Elite Pro.



I can't get 5.1 sound to work with TF2... Windows is set to 5.1, Creative Audio Console is set to 5.1, and TF2 audio settings are set to 5.1 but I am still not getting 5.1 surround sound with the game.



The Input for the speakers is on 'Direct' (i.e. analog), and the Effect is 6Ch Direct as I have been told these are the required settings for games to output proper 5.1.



I thought maybe the CMSS-3D on the X-Fi was causing problems, but even when that is turned off it doesn't work.



I don't run the sound card in gaming mode, as I can't see the point. Although I have tried it to see if it fixes my problem... it doesn't.



What am I doing wrong?



Thanks.

Do you actually get 5.1 out of other programs?

I have an SPDIF optical cable which I use along with the Optical input setting to get full, brilliant, digital Dolby Digital Surround Sound from DVDs... so that definately works.



When I use my sound card to up-mix a stereo signal from music CDs, or up-mix the the stereo signal from downloaded movies to 5.1, it projects the sound to all 6 channels quite effectively.



I'm not sure if thats what you were asking... there aren't any other programs that use it.

Just checking that your 5.1 was working elsewhere. I had a similar problem where I thought a game wasn't configured right. Closer listening revealed that the 5.1 wasn't working at all, not in WMP or anything, and it was just playing in stereo. A reinstallation of drivers helped me.