A more concise "how to" it seems would be just detailing where the RtkAPO.dll and RtkAPO64.dll files are. I was looking for them in the wrong place. They are not in the Realtek\Driver folder, they are at C:\Windows\System32 with system drivers. This I found just by clicking Analyse under Realtek Sound in Driver Sweeper, which showed the proper file and it's location.



I have yet to install them, but I assume that is the key to doing this right. I thought I already had R2.71 installed, but I'm wiping it and re-installing just to make sure. Will report back if this works. If it does, I owe you a beer 2bad.



...I am at a stumbling block of sorts. I cannot overwrite or delete before replacing the RtkAPO64.dll file because Windows says it's being used by Audiodg.exe, and Windows Search only finds RtkAPO64.dll at that one location in C:\Windows\System32.



I'm not sure if Ending Process of Audiodg.exe in Task Manager is safe or will work, but that may be my only recourse. I also noticed the file size of the stock RtkAPO64.dll is identical to that of the unlocked file, so I assume rather than being a different file it's just had the Dolby and DTS parts decrypted or something.



...Used Task Manager to End Process of Audiodg.exe and a couple Realtek related processes using this dll, and even ended up temporarily disabling Windows Audio in Services and it STILL wouldn't let me overwrite RtkAPO64.dll. Re-enabled Audiodg.exe in TM, which took a few attempts.



Then I used Driver Sweeper to run an Analyse on Realtek Sound and left only RtkAPO64.dll checked before hitting the Clean button. That removed the dll and allowed me to copy over the unlocked one. I then defragged and rebooted just to make sure it was a clean install.



Unfortunately it created havoc with my system. I first got the desktop and mouse cursor freezing on screen after the taskbar disappeared and it wouldn't reboot without a hard reset. Then when the desktop came up the mouse cursor was still frozen even WITH the taskbar and audio is disabled. Another hard reset resulted in a blue screen and dump file being generated.



I also tried the file rename trick before copying the unlocked file over and get the same results. Before rebooting I can see all the new options in Realtek's HD Audio Manager, and my AVR plays the audio test in DTS, but if this freezing and muting is due to licensing restrictions or using Optical out, it's of no use to me. I suppose I could get a Coax cable and try coaxial out, but I doubt I'd get any different results. In fact I'm not even sure it would work on analog out given my scenario.



I suspect what some said about my MB not being licensed for Dolby or DTS may be true. I've read some Gigabytes are, but I would be cautious attempting this and not try it unless you know it works for your MB. CounterZeus, how did you install this on your ASUS MB? I find it odd you were able to get it to work. And what output are you using on your MB?



As for what AsRock said, one of my main concerns was whether I'd get satisfactory or even any kind of working results while using Optical out. You may get compatibility with some MBs and sound paths, but I would not trust this to work unconditionally, esp with something as protected as Dolby and DTS licensing.



I'm not totally sure it has to do with licensing restrictions. I can run MPC-HC with LAV audio filters that allow me to play Dolby Digital files, but I think it's different when you're talking a dll that ties in directly to your onboard audio chip and is used by system files.



I almost wish I'd not read this thread now, although it def may cause me to look at another brand of MB next time. I was kinda leaning toward Giga for my next MB and GPU.