*Fixed* Mic issues on GF's computer

[toronado97]

I got my GF a Dell E520 (I think 520, the Intel C2D version) for Christmas of 06 (14 months old roughly). I've added nothing to it hardware wise except for a EVGA 7600 GT video card, everything else is stock (onboard audio, 1 gb ram, etc). While we lived in our old apartment, her mic worked fine in Ventrilo and Yahoo messenger. After moving about a month ago however, her mic no longer works on the desktop. We've tried front and rear ports, neither work. If she plugs the same headset into her laptop, it works fine, so I've ruled out the headset being the culprit.

Here's where it gets wierd: If we're on Yahoo messenger together, I can hear when she plugs in her headset, the little pop it gives as it comes live, then immediately it goes silent with no input, which makes me think it's some sort of software issue. I've gone through every setting I can think of in both the volume control tab, and device manager for the onboard audio and cannot seem to find a solution. It might be a driver problem, however I've not been able to find updated audio drivers for her desktop (maybe just not looking in the right place, not sure). The fact that it happens in both Yahoo and Vent leads me to believe it's not a problem with the programs being used, however I've combed through all the options in both and everything is configured exactly as it should be, except no worky. I may just break down and reinstall windows/reformat but I'd like to avoid that except as a worst case scenario measure.

Is it possible that the onboard audio is just borked and buying a SoundBlaster etc might be the way to go? Or more likely that some type of software conflict has popped up and is causing issues? I find it extremely odd that it seems to work for a split second when first plugged in, and then immediately dies, almost like something is actively muting the inputs.

Any help would be appreciated, figured I'd pick your brains for a solution since I seem to be at my wits end here.

 

[toronado97]

Bump

 

[The Bakery]

First of all, hearing a pop does not mean that everything is working.
That's simply metal connecting metal.

If you've damaged the TRS (tip ring sleeve) portion of the 1/8 inch
stereo jack on the mic - it will still pop but not transmit voice from
the mic into the port.

I would test with another microphone to ensure that the input is
actually good first. If it is, you've got a dead mic that's causing a
pop when the connection is made.

If another mic doesn't work, but is verified working in another
system, I would venture to say that your sound card input is bad,
but it could very well be a software issue.

I take it you've made sure in your search to check

control panel > sounds > audio AND control panel > sounds > voice

To make sure that the proper device is selected both for sound output
and voice recording/playback.

I've had that setting revert to "primary sound driver" when I have an
aftermarket audio card, resulting in the same "My mic is dead" issue.

 

[toronado97]

As I said, the same headset works on her laptop but not on her desktop, and the mic works for her on the laptop. I have tried both front and rear inputs and it produces the same result, which is nothing at all. I just doublechecked all of her settings, and her control panel audio is all set for SigmaTel Audio which is the only option available to it. Tested ventrilo again and got AbsZero on the monitor no matter what I did, whether using Direct Sound, Sigmatel Audio, etc etc. Tried every setting I could think of in Vent to change it up and never got anything other than AbsZero on the monitor. Yes I had the push to talk key down.

 

[The Bakery]

Damn my brain's limited cache. </computer joke> </irony>

Are you using any kind of mixer software provided by Nvidia
instead of windows standard sound mixer?

I would try installing another version of the drivers, even though
you're having trouble finding them.

BTW - I'm having the same issue

Edit - I THINK these are the duo drivers, Dell isn't specific about WHICH E520.

http://support.dell.com/suppor...1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

 

[toronado97]

Nothing has been installed driver-wise that should be causing a conflict afaik. Her laptop is using the same nVidia drivers as her desktop and they are both Dell items, so I would assume either both or neither would have an issue if that were the case. Will try that link however and get back to you.


Edit: Uninstalling and reinstalling the driver in the link = fixed. Thank you The Bakery.