How do you do the merc stealth microphone setup? The sound works, the USB ports work. I can use Windows the direct hookup with my sound card and my microphone on my headset works. Just wondering if anyone knew what step I might be missing. Thanks, Don

Look for a 3.5 mm microphone port on the computer. Usually the port on the back of the desktop will have a pink surround. (There will be other ports there; the usual minimum are the green port for speakers and blue one for line-in.) Put the 3.5 mm jack on the end of the cord on the microphone into the port. If you have an add-in sound card, use the microphone port on the sound card.

Some machines will also have a front panel microphone port. This will have a small mike icon next to the port.

Next you need to ensure that the audio device is set to Microphone. For Windows systems (Vista/7/8), enter the Control Panel and go to the Hardware and Sound panel. Click on Manage Audio Devices under Sound. Then click on the Recording tab. Check if the microphone listed as plugged in. Make this the default recording device. (XP has a slightly different name for the panel.) For XP through Windows 7, click on the start button and then find the Control Panel listed on the right. For Windows 8, from the desktop, press the Ctrl and X keys at the same time. Then find the Control Panel in the list. (Alternatively, activate the Charms menu, Ctrl+C or hover on the upper right of the screen. Move down and click on the gear (Settings). Then select the Control Panel.)

If the computer doesn't indicate that the microphone is plugged in, make sure that the 3.5 mm plug is in the correct port. Next try the microphone on another computer. The audio card port could be damaged or the microphone cable could be faulty. If the microphone works on another computer, you can try a USB audio adapter (StarTech ICUSBAUDIO or similar) or a new sound card. (Note: some older sound cards do not work properly on newer versions of Windows. If you have a sound card installed and the motherboard has an on-board audio device, remove the sound card. Enable the on-board audio in the computer's BIOS. Install the appropriate audio drivers. Try that audio device. Accessing the BIOS will depend on computer. Often you can press Esc, F1, F2, F10 or Delete repeatedly after you turn on the computer. If Windows starts to boot, turn off the system and try again.) If another computer doesn't recognize the microphone, I'd recommend a new microphone. Fixing the cable isn't worth the effort.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Is your computer a laptop or a desktop? How old is it? Which make/model of computer do you have?

For an older desktop, the microphone input will be on the back of the computer. There are usually three 3.5 mm jacks for audio connections. The pink connector is for the microphone. The black connector is for Line In and the green is line out (speakers). Often they are towards the far side of the motherboard connections from any PS2 (keyboard and mouse) ports. Otherwise, they will line up with one of the card slots.

Newer desktop computers often have additional audio ports for surround sound. However, the pink jack for the microphone is standard. If the computer has front audio ports, you may find that the same color labels the jacks. Otherwise look closely at the icons next to the ports. These will be in addition to the back audio ports.

Laptops can have the audio ports on the front, back or side depending on the model. There will be a small icon with a stand microphone indicated for the microphone port.

If you have one of the newer USB microphones, plug it into an available USB port.

If the computer has no working audio ports, either get a USB microphone or add a sound card.

I hope this helps. If you add a comment with your computer's brand and model number, I'll try to provide the exact audio port details. (There are some computer motherboards that do not have on-board audio and you will need a sound card.)

Cindy Wells
(on Windows computers, you may have to change the default audio input. Click Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Manage Audio Devices. (for Windows 7) For other versions of Windows, you may find slightly different titles in the Control Panel.)

Are you using a PS2 keyboard or a USB keyboard ? Check your connection, if you are using a PS2 keyboard, plug in a USB keyboard and see if that works

Some users have reported problems with this microphone not working properly with Windows Vista operating system but it is fine with XP and Windows 7. Some MAC & Linux users have also encountered installation problems.
All condenser microphones require a power source to make them work. In the case of USB mics they take their operating power from the computers USB port. If you have a lot of other USB devices connected then there may not be enough power available to run them all at the same time. Disconnect any devices that you do not need.
First step would be to make sure that you connect to a main USB port (not a separate hub). If you are using a desktop or tower computer use the USB ports on the rear of the computer, which are mounted directly on the motherboard. Front panel USB ports are normally on a hub and may therefore prove unreliable with some devices..
Next try to diagnose the problem by process of systematic elimination

1. Test your sound-card - does it work okay with other sound sources such as a microphone plugged into the normal microphone input (red socket) on the sound-card or on your front panel.
2. Do you have another USB sound source that you can plug in to make sure that your computer will accept sound from that route?
3. Now check the microphone for faults. Is the LED on the microphone coming on to indicate it is getting power?
4. If no the microphone itself, or the cable, may be faulty. Try plugging it in to a different computer, games console, stereo or audio device with a USB input to see if it will work there (note not all audio devices will have sufficient power on the USB socket so this test may not be conclusive)
5. Is the computer operating system actually recognising the presence of the microphone in the first place?
6. Does a little balloon pop up to say a device has been plugged in - and does it correctly identify what that device is by telling you it's name?
7. If the system recognises the device but doesn't correctly identify then you may need to install a driver for the microphone.
8. From the windows start menu go to CONTROL PANEL.
9. Click on SYSTEM, then HARDWARE, followed by DEVICE MANAGER
10. Scroll down to SOUND VIDEO & GAME CONTROLLERS. Does the microphone appear here? If yes does it have a little yellow asterisk next to it? If so it is a driver issue.
11. Sometimes a USB driver issue can be resolved by uninstalling the USB controllers and reinstalling them. Scroll down the list of devices in DEVICE MANAGER until you get to UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS CONTROLLERS. Systematically uninstall every device listed here. To do this RIGHT CLICK on each device and then click UNINSTALL. Then on the TOOL BAR click CHECK FOR SYSTEM CHANGES. this will reinstall all USB devices and controllers.
12. If that does not solve the USB problem go to your computer manufacturers website and download the latest USB drivers for your machine.
13. Assuming you have overcome the USB issue (or if this was not the problem anyway) you now need to check that the microphone is selected as your default audio device.
14. To do this go back to CONTROL PANEL, followed by SOUND & AUDIO DEVICES
15. Click on AUDIO and, under the SOUND RECORDING tab select your microphone from the drop down list.
16. Then click the VOLUME button which will open a window called RECORDING CONTROL
17. Make sure there is a tick (check mark) against microphone and that the slider is up at the top of the scale.
18. If everything is okay up to this point the problem may well lie in the settings for the audio / recording program that you are using. Most programs have some sort of wizard for testing audio settings, which you will need to work through.

Have you tried selecting the option for microphone boost under your sound card settings (If you are using a windows operating system)? Its a check box option.

Follow the instructions below and it will work.

Disconnect the Camera from the USB port and reinstall the CD or Downloaded software program.

When the program asks you to connect the camera to the USB port, do so and it should work.

Then to use it on the Web, do this.
Web Camera’s have to be setup on the program they are to be used with. Just installing the
camera on your computer does not set it up to broadcast on messengers or Skype.

Each program has Options that have to be setup in order for the Audio and Video to function
properly.


A. Skype Setup:

After downloading and installing Skype (http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/download/skype/windows/beta/downloading/) set it up as follows:

1. Go to Tools, then Options, and click on Audio Settings and set the Microphone and
Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
2. Then click on the Video Settings.
3. The camera if Installed Properly will come up and show a video picture.
4. Then, on the bottom of the page click on Save.

The camera and audio should function properly. Your friends and Family will now be able to
see and her to you.

B. Yahoo Setup:

After downloading and installing Yahoo Messenger

(http://www.soft32.com/download_30.html )

set it up as follows:

1. Go to Messenger at the top left and click on it.
2. Next go down to Preferences and click on it.
3. Next Calling and Devices on the right and set the Microphone and Speakers to the
computer Audio Card.
4. Next go to the Test Audio section and (in blue writing) click on “Open the call
setup assistant” and follow the instructions on the left window.

C. Windows Live Messenger:

1. After you start Windows Live Messenger, expand the view by clicking on the square on
top left next to the red X.
2. Then on the Windows Live messenger window on the right side, click on “ “Show Menus.”
And then click on “Show the Menu Bar”.
3. Next go to the Menu Bar on right side, click on “ “Action.”
4. Go to “TOOLS” and click “Audio and Video Setting” and follow the instructions.
NOTE: Your audio and video should work. Enjoy.

When done both the Audio and Video will function properly so you can chat and see family or
friends you are connected to.

D. AIM (AOL) Messenger

1. On the VIM sign-in window click on Edit.
2. Then click on Settings Enhanced IM.
3. Next click on Enhanced IM.
4. Then click on Audio Video.
5. The Audio and Video portion has drop downs so you can select the proper audio card and
video camera installed in you computer.
The Audi Video drop downs are
Microphone
Speaker
Camera

Adjust Your Audio and Video Settings:
In order to adjust your audio and video settings, please follow the steps given below:
1. Click the Audio and Video Settings button directly below the My Buddy or My Camera window.
If you are currently participating in an AOL Live Video IM session, a message will display:
You must disconnect the current AOL Live Video IM conversation before running setup. Would you
like to disconnect now? Click the Yes button.
2. The Audio and Video Tuning Wizard will appear to help you verify that your camera, speakers
and microphone are working properly. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Notes:
· The first time you use AOL Live Video IM, a message will display: Would you like to
first check your audio and video settings? Click the Yes button. The Audio and Video Tuning
Wizard will appear to help you verify that your camera, speakers and microphone are working
properly. Follow the on-screen prompts.
· images in AOL Live Video IM may appear reversed, or as a mirror image (text may
appear backwards) when you look at your own camera feed or at the picture-in-picture (PIP) display.
After making the settings your ready for a chat and video talk with your Family and Friends.

After you get your camera installed properly, DO NOT unplug it from the USB port as it will
cause the drivers to be corrupt and render the camera unusable till reinstalled it properly.
Hope this helps. Bud

Windows would have set a restore point b4 it installed this update. Take it back to before that date and when windows tries to update again have a look at what the updates are and untick the one for the keyboard. Microsoft doesnt alyaws get it right with updates

If it didn't work when you plugged it into the USB Port, try a different USB Port. If it still doesn't work, you may have a problem with your USB Ports.
Try this:
Follow the instructions below and it will work.

Disconnect the Camera from the USB port and reinstall the CD or Downloaded software program.

When the program asks you to connect the camera to the USB port, do so and it should work.

Then to use it on the Web, do this.
Web Camera’s have to be setup on the program they are to be used with. Just installing the
camera on your computer does not set it up to broadcast on messengers or Skype.

Each program has Options that have to be setup in order for the Audio and Video to function properly.

A. Skype Setup:
After downloading and installing Skype

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/download/skype/windows/beta/downloading/

set it up as follows:
Go to Tools, then Options, and click on Audio Settings and set the Microphone and Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
Then click on the Video Settings.
The camera, if Installed Properly, it will come up and show a video picture.
Then, on the bottom of the page click save.
The camera and audio should function properly. Your friends and Family will now be able to see and hear you.

B. Yahoo Setup:
After downloading and installing Yahoo Messenger

http://www.soft32.com/download_30.HTML

set it up as follows:
Go to Messenger at the top left and click on it.
Next go down to Preferences and click on it.
Next Calling and Devices on the right and set the Microphone and Speakers to the computer Audio Card.
Next go to the Test Audio section and (in blue writing) click on "Open the call setup assistant" and follow the instructions on the left window.

C. Windows Live Messenger:

http://download.live.com/Messenger

After you start Windows Live Messenger, expand the view by clicking on the square on top left next to the red X.
Then on the Windows Live messenger window on the right side, click on " "Show Menus." And then click on "Show the Menu Bar".
Next go to the Menu Bar on right side, click on " "Action."
Go to "TOOLS" and click "Audio and Video Setting" and follow the instructions.
NOTE: Your audio and video should work. Enjoy.
When done both the Audio and Video will function properly so you can chat and see family or friends you are connected to.

D. AIM (AOL) Messenger:

http://dashboard.aim.com/aim

On the VIM sign-in window click on Edit.
Then click on Settings Enhanced IM.
Next click on Enhanced IM.
Then click on Audio Video.
The Audio and Video portion has drop downs so you can select the proper audio card and video camera installed in you computer.
The Audi Video drop downs are
Microphone
Speaker
Camera
The audio and camera should function now.
Additional information to use with VIM settings.
Adjust Your Audio and Video Settings:
In order to adjust your audio and video settings, please follow the steps given below:
1. Click the Audio and Video Settings button directly below the My Buddy or My Camera window. If you are currently
Participating in an AOL Live Video IM session, a message will display: You must disconnect the current AOL Live Video IM
Conversation before running setup. Would you like to disconnect now? Click the Yes button.
2. The Audio and Video Tuning Wizard will appear to help you verify that your camera, speakers and microphone are working
Properly. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Notes:
The first time you use AOL Live Video IM, a message will display: Would you like to first check your audio and video settings? Click the Yes button.
The Audio and Video Tuning Wizard will appear to help you verify that your camera, speakers and microphone are working properly.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
images in AOL Live Video IM may appear reversed, or as a mirror image (text may appear backwards) when you look at your own camera feed or at the
Picture-in-picture (PIP) display.
After making the settings your ready for a chat and video talk with your Family and Friends.
Hope this helps. Bud

Can you please check the following: 1. Connect the Merc Stealth directly to the USB ports on the computer (do not use any intermediary devices such as USB router, KVM switch, etc..) 2. Unplug the devices connected to the USB ports on the back of the Stealth (if any) and connect to them to the PC instead. 3. Make sure USB and USB Legacy support is set to ON/Enabled in the system BIOS 4. Try to determine if there is any hardware or software conflicting with the Merc Stealth - what other irregular hardware or software do you use? 5. Check your RAM. I tried number 3 and solved it.