There mic is not working right - Computers & Internet

Hi

Pin arrangement for Front panel Audio is usually:

Pin 1 Left MIC-IN Pin 1 right GROUND
Pin 2 Left MIC VVC (or MIC Power, or MIC BIAS) Pin 2 Right empty
Pin 3 Left R EAR (or R OUT) Pin 3 Right R RETURN
Pin 4 Ground or Empty Pin 4 Right empty
Pin 5 Left L EAR (or L OUT) Pin 5 Right L RETURN

This arrangement should apply to both the HD AA/FP or the Standard AC'97 Headers.

I hope this helps

You do not say what sort of mic you have - if its a built in laptop mic, a standalone mic or one built into the webcam.
It would also be useful to know what your OS is and what chat program you want to use the mic in
However we can generalise and hopefully put you on the right track

Have you set the mic you wish to use with your webcam as Default ?

XP
Plug in your webcam or headset or mic you wish to use with your webcam
Control Panel (Classic View)
Open 'Sounds and Audio Devices' folder and click on the 'Volume' tab - make sure the speakers are not muted, open 'Speaker volume' and set the sliders toward the upper end.
Open 'Audio' tab - make your preferred mic the default device in the 'Sound recording window'
Open 'Volume' below the window to ensure the mic is not muted
Click 'Apply' and 'OK'
Restart your computer
Configure the webcam / mic to your chat program

VISTA
Plug in your webcam or headset or mic you wish to use with your webcam
TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
Right click on the volume graph and select 'Show disabled devices' and 'Show disconnected devices'
To set your preferred mic as default - click the mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

Configure your webcam and mic to the Chat program

You need to set the mic you wish to use with the webcam as the 'Default' mic

XP
Plug in your webcam or headset or mic you wish to use with your webcam
Control Panel (Classic View)
Open 'Sounds and Audio Devices' folder and click on the Audio tab - make your preferred mic the default device in the 'Sound recording window'
Open 'Volume' below the window to ensure the mic is not muted
Click 'Apply' and 'OK'
Restart your computer
Configure the webcam / mic to your chat program

VISTA
Plug in your webcam or headset or mic you wish to use with your webcam
TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
Right click on the volume graph and select 'Show disabled devices' and 'Show disconnected devices'
To set your preferred mic as default - click the mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

Configure to your chat program

If you have a mic built in to your webcam you have to make it your default mic. Especially if you also have a laptop with a built in mic.
If your OS is pre-Vista you will have to set your webcam mic as default from the Control Panel - make sure it's plugged in

Vista
Plug in the webcam
TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
Right click on the volume graph and select 'Show disabled devices' and 'Show disconnected devices'
To set required (webcam) mic as default - click on mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

You may be using a laptop with a mic as well as having a webcam with a mic.
Try setting the webcam mic as default.
Vista
TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
To set required (webcam) mic as default - click on mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

Configure webcam to your chat program

You may not have designated the webcam mic as default

TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
To set required (webcam) mic as default - click on mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

Configure to your chat program

Its important to set your webcam mic as default (the one you want to use) especially if you have a laptop with a built in mic as well

TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
To set required (webcam) mic as default - click on mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders (adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

make sure the webcam mic is set as default - especially importsnt if you have laptop with a built in mic as well
TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
To set required (webcam) mic as default - click on mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

Configure to your chat program

You are in a situation of having 2 mics
Make sure the webcam mic is set as default
TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
To set required (webcam) mic as default - click on mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

Configure mic to your chat program

Hi. I use exactly this PC. You have to realize the mic is inbuild and not easily seen. Your external mic is also ok. About the right speakers, you'll have to check the connection on the motherboard..most likely one of the i/c has an issue. It is a rugged system and will last. Not to worry