Microphone testing

Test the Microphone

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Multimedia (or Entertainment), and then click Sound Recorder.

2. Click the Record button, and speak into the microphone.
The green waveform should react to your voice.

3. To end the recording, click Stop.

4. To hear your recording, click the Play button.

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Check physical connections.

1. Verify that the microphone is connected to the red microphone jack for the sound card on the back of the computer and not the microphone jack for the modem. The microphone will not record if it is connected to the Mic jack on the modem.

2. Test the microphone on another computer.

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Check the volume control and mute properties.

1. Double-click the Speaker icon in the System Tray.

2. Make sure the Volume Controls (or Master Out controls) are at least midway on all levels.

3. Make sure there are no checks in the Mute boxes.

4. Test the microphone.

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Set Recording to Mic/Microphone

1.     Double-click the yellow speaker icon in the lower right corner of the task bar.

2.     Click Options in the menu at the top of the window.

3.     Click Properties.

4.     Choose Recording in the Adjust Volume For section. Do not choose Playback in the Adjust volume for section. Choosing Playback in conjunction with unmuting the mic may cause loud feedback during recordings.

5.     Ensure that Mic/Microphone has a checkmark next to it.

6.     Click OK.

7.     Test the microphone.

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Reinstall Sound, Video and Game Controller Drivers

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click System and then click the Device Manager tab.

3. Click the plus (+) sign next to Sound, Video and Game Controllers.

4. Click each entry one at a time and then click Remove, repeating the steps until the Sound, Video and Game Controllers category is removed.

5. Close all open windows.

6. Reboot the computer.
The sound card will be detected and you will be prompted to reinstall its drivers.

7. Test the microphone.

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If the Microphone Is Still Not Working, Reinstall Windows® Multimedia Components

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

3. Click the Setup tab and then click to highlight Multimedia.

4. Click Add/Remove.

5. Reboot the computer, go back into Add/Remove Programs and re-check Multimedia under Setup tab.

6. You will be prompted to insert the Windows CD.

7. Test the microphone.

8. Clear NVRAM, either by jumper on the system board or in the System Setup. For more information on entering System Setup, refer to the links in the additional items section below in the document. For information about jumpers on your computer, refer to the online documentation.

If the microphone still fails, it may need to be replaced.