Windows Media Center XP & Microphone Volume

[pohjonen]

I have a new HP Media Center computer running Windows XP, and would like to record with the microphone. However, no matter how much I fiddle with the infinite volume settings, it stills sounds muffled and far away even if I shout. I've plugged it in the back, the front, used an amplified mike and still can't get any volume. I would greatly appreciate any help with this annoying issue. These same mikes worked fine on the old HP running windows 98. I want to mix voice and tracks in Audacity. In windows 98, it sounded fine but the program would crash. Now the program runs fine but it sounds like I'm singing through a pillow. I would greatly appreciate any help with this annoying issue. Thanking some knowledgable person in advance,

Pohjonen

[Caractacus Pott]

Pohjonen,

I just bought an HP a1319h. Boy, does it have a lot of connectors! Try this: Open the Control Panel, then choose the Realtek HD Sound Effects Manager. Click on Microphone tab and play with the 2 choices to see if they're causing the problem. I'll bet that's it. Only after you've tested sound recording and it works properly should you close this dialog box. Below are further troubleshooting ideas if you need. Please perform each paragraph in order, testing recording between paragraphs.

Go back to the Control Panel and choose Sounds and Audio Devices. In the "Device Volume" area click on the Advanced button. If you can't see the microphone volume control, on the Main Menu click Options then Properties. Scroll down then click the tickbox next to Microphone. Set the volume to the maximum setting and uncheck Mute. On the Main Menu click Options then Advanced Controls. Click on the Advanced button. Click the tickbox next to 1 Microphone Boost. If it's checked, it'll uncheck; if it's unchecked, check it. Close the Advanced dialog box and the Master Volume dialog box. Don't close the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties if the sound recording test fails (muffled sound).

Go back to the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box. Click on Audio tab. In the center of the dialog box is "Sound Recording." Make sure the Default device: is "Line in/Mic in". Click on the Volume button and make sure the Microphone volume level is not muted. If you can change the volume here (I can't), set it to the highest setting. Close this dialog box and the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box.

Go back to the Realtek HD Sound Effects Manager.Click on Mixer tab. The bottom half of the dialog box is for recording. Make sure the Microphone isn't muted, the record volume is set to 12 o'clock, and the balance is set to the middle.

To use the front panel microphone jack, go back to the Realtek control panel, click on Audio I/O tab then the Settings button (crescent wrench icon) just above the green headphone icon. Click the checkbox if it's not already checked. I'm still not sure exactly what that does (or why a single checkbox has to be behind a button.).

If all these are set appropriately, try the microphones in a friend's PC to see how they sound. I know, I know, the microphones should work but to troubleshoot we have to look at everything.

Other than that I have no clue. Keep us informed of your progress, including the model number of the machine and how long you've had it.