5100 5150 9100 9150 Sigmatel STA9220 Microphone Issue Solution

Dell Dimension 5100 5150 E510 5150c XPS200 9100 9150 XPS400 which use 7.1 Integrated Sigmatel STA9220 sound card chipset have a very normal issue. Rear microphone or line in connector doesn't work. After test with my Dim5100, I think I found the reason and some solution. Hope this can help you for same problem.

Sigmatel STA9220 with Dell official driver is designed as auto-detecting device connection for front / back connectors. But for some reason it doesn't work well then we can not record sound from rear mic, CD or cassette through rear "line in" with XP Sound Recorder. But form front connector mabye work fine. Replace Mainboard doesn't work, changed sound card setting no go. I found that can be addressed by follow steps:

1. Uninstall SigmaTel Audio drivers form Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs;

2. Download latest driver A05 and install, disconnect any speaker or mic device when installing.

3. As default, if no sound device plug in, Recording Control Properties should be selected as Line In automatically, don't need change.

4. When plug in microphone to front connector, setting will automatically change to "Microphone".

In this situation, can record voice by Windows Sound Recorder from microphone.

5. If record voice from rear connector, should plug in PINK connectors at back, a box will jump up ask if connect with a speaker or microphone.

Select "my rear microphone" here. Then the Recording Control Properties will automatically change to "Rear Mic".

The reason is the pink connector sharing Micro-phone and Side Surround Channel functions, sound card will detect and ask assign for output or input device.

If there is no pop up window for selection, please check from Control Panel -> Sounds,Speech, and Audio Devices -> SigmaTel Audio, make sure box checked.

Notice: Speaker or headphone should always plug in GREEN connector at back or front headphone connector.

6. If you want to use line in record from CD player or cassette to sound files, you must use a male-to-male cable connect the device to BLUE connector at back to get best quality. If connect to PINK one can create noise. In this case, Recording Control Properties will automatically change to "Line In" again.

7. If sound card driver installed properly and sound card hardware works fine, there is no reason to change setting in Recording Control Properties manually, because all changes will be auto detected by sound card.

Hope this help!

Message Edited by zhang_vincent on 07-25-200609:31 AM