Microphone woes

[suszterpatt]

So, I bought a stupid little microphone, just to be able to voice chat with my sister (who lives in another town) instead of typing. Nothing fancy, something like this.

Now, Windows (XP SP2) doesn't recognize it as new hardware (hardly surprising), so I have to go Control Panel > Sound Setup and go through the sound input configuration to get it working. The problem is that after I do this, my sound output's quality drops like a rock and stays there until I reboot, at which point the mic stops working again.

So, I'm looking for a way to get the mic working and keep my audio quality at the same time. I have no idea what could be causing this. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Jiggz]

Mics are not recognized by WinXP because they do not require drivers to operate! In sound setup, drill down to sound and audio devices and click on the Voice Tab. In the Voice Recording section make sure your audio card driver is selected (since you plug the mic into the audio card or built in audio if this is the case). Also make sure the mic is plugged in into the mic socket colored red or pink. In the Volume Control Properties, click advance and check on the Mic. Make sure the mute box is checked (prevents feedback) and adjust volume as necessary.

 

[suszterpatt]

Yes, that's what I mean by going through the configuration, and that's what makes my sound output really crappy for the rest of the session.


Will a new sound card be more help? I'm currently using the integrated Realtek AC'97, would it be of any use if I popped in an Audigy or something?

 

[Jiggz]

You can try an add-in sound card but I would try a spare one first before getting an expensive one. For the problem may not be on the built in audio but could be on the mic itself.