Why won the SoundBlaster AWE64 work with a 6×86?
A. The AWE64 achieves its voice count of 64 by integrating a 32 voice hardware wavetable synthesis engine with a 32 voice software synthesizer. The problem is that WaveSynth/WG software synthesizer that is included with the AWE64 does not work on a 6×86. The WaveSynth/WG software uses Pentium specific instructions. The WaveSynth/SG software looks for an Intel Pentium prior to its installation and it will not install unless you have a Intel P90 or higher CPU. It says in BOLD lettering on the box that an Intel Pentium 90 or higher processor is required and they mean it! The problem has nothing to do with compatibility of the AWE64 hardware. The hardware works perfectly, but the WaveSynth/WG software does not. You can forget trying to fool Windows 95 into believing that you are using a Pentium machine with a CPU identifier such as 6x86_p.exe so that you may install the software. It will not work. Even if you install a Pentium CPU inorder to install the software it will lock up trying to l
