cannot record through mic or line in

Question

I have Sigmatel Audio on my newly purchased Inspriron 1505 laptop. I cannot record from line in or microphone; Windows Media Player and Dvd playback volume is perfect. I tried adjusting recording volume in audio properties and tested with sound recorder with a computer microphone but the analyzer shows no movement.All get is static and hum.The Sigmatel hardware check also show no movement of the volume meters for the mic.. I checked everywhere to see if anything was set to"mute" but no joy.I tried Audacity but the same problem is also there. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

Audacity is a freeware wave editor/recorder that can record streaming audio from Winamp, WMP, etc.

I got the microphone to work by not fully pushing the plug into the jack.. But I still cannot record streaming audio to wave or mp3.

I have the Sigmatel HD AUDIO CODEC....Will updating the driver for Inspiron's Sigmatel audio driver on Dell's site provide the ability to record "what I hear" in full duplex????

Message Edited by Digiti on 01-13-200703:25 PM

Message Edited by Digiti on 01-13-200704:56 PM

Message Edited by Digiti on 01-13-200705:00 PM

PonderBoy · Answer

Hi   Yeah, I have the same problem.   Do you think it is something to do with the soundcard software? I remember when I purchase my system they said something about the sound software being a pup and you could upgrade for more $$$.   It does not appear to be possible to select a different audio mixer from the default one ie. this Sigmatel. Grrr.... It should be possible to switch over default to the standard MS mixer but there is only one option in the XP sound control panel. Grrrrr.   Anyone else managed to solve this one?

Digiti · Answer

Looking through the threads here in relation to Sigmatel I have come to the conclusion that the 'mixer' only accepts a Mono mic jack that is why mine worked when it was not fully inserted. There is only one groove on a mono mic jack a stereo has two. I think an external USB sound card such as those made by Turtle Beach or CreativeLabs is the way to go.

PonderBoy · Answer

No I disagree. I think it is a software issue. I've had a look at the following thread: http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_audio&message.id=32225   I've recently purchased my machine so I will take the matter up with tech support.

Digiti · Answer

Please post back with your result so I can fix this as well.. I also have telephone support .. but if you make better progress with them let me know. Thank you.

Jim Coates · Answer

Just install the LG Sigmatel audio driver and use the 'stereo mix' ... it's the same as 'whatuhear'. This won't hurt your computer; you can roll back to Dell's Sigmatel audio driver at any time. Jim

PonderBoy · Answer

Where do I go to check what chipset I have in my machine? I have a different model from those mentioned in the discussion?   Ponder...

Digiti · Answer

I got the LG driver specified in the thread but the readme file for installation is very involved. Usually you just run the setup.exe but the instructions mention running the .bat file. How did you do the install ?Is this driver compatible with the Inspiron 1501? I got the 5.10004866 version. for notebooks. Thanks.

Jim Coates · Answer

Digiti, the Sigmatel drivers will not work with a 1501 because it doesn't have a Sigmatel audio chip. In your first post you mentioned 1505 which does have a Sigmatel 92xx chip. Nobody has ever mentioned anything unusual about installing the LG Sigmatel driver. my Inspiron does not have a Sigmatel 92xx and so I can't use the LG driver or give you more details about the installation.

PonderBoy, your 9400 does have the Sigmatel 92xx audio chip so you can use the LG Sigmatel driver.

Jim

Digiti · Answer

My mistake, it is a 1505 Inspiron not a 1501.FreshDiagnose a freeware diagnosis program which is similar to Everquest's shareware program shows the motherboard has a  Sigmatel 9200 chip. Your point is well taken however concerning the Dell model number. Thanks.   Now please will someone provide installation instructions for the LG Sigmatel driver?

PonderBoy · Answer

I had a look at the LG web page for the file and have listed the text below. As you can see it directs the user to just run the exe file. I didn't see any separate text file. Are you sure you downloaded the right one? Mysteriously the LG site appears to be down now!

Subject [Sound/2000/XP] SigmaTel Sound Driver Ver 5.10.0.4866 XNOTE(LE50)

Product Notebook

Series LE50

Operating System Windows 2000
Windows XP

File Name SigmaTel.zip

This driver C-Media SigmaTel Sound Driver Package for windows 2000/XP.
Ver 5.10.0.4866

[ Caution ]

¡Ø LG Electronics recommend to use Windows XP
Installation Other OS may cause functional problem, and it will not be covered by product warranty.

- If you install this driver to other product, it may cause functional defect, so,
please be make sure the "Applied Model".

- Installation process may be different according to user's environment.

[ Modification ]

- SW Synth and CD Recording function

[ Installation Process ]

1. Download file.
2. Extract file, and it will make folder.
3. Execute "SigmaTel\\Setup.exe "

Digiti · Answer

The 'readme file' is in the HDAQFE subfolder in the LG Sigmatel audio driver folder . Yes I am sure it is the correct 5.1004866 driver. So you say run the setup.exe file and I should be good to go? There are references to replacing the Dell driver's .inf file and changing an .ini file as well.Can anyone explain this as the instructions are somewhat arcane? Thanks.

PonderBoy · Answer

Yes I have found the text file you are referring to. Confusing!

Don't know what to do.

I have found this Dell listing of the problem, so they think it is not possible (or want you to think it's not).
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=F8169736933F0EA2E030030ABD6241A5&c=us&l=en&s=dhs

However there are plenty of people that seem to have got it working.
http://www.notebookforums.com/post2482208-234.html

Think I will try emailing a user that's done it and ask for a step by step guide.

Jim Coates · Answer

My advice is to either install the LG Sigmatel driver (from the LG Service site) OR perform the inf file substitution on Dell's Sigmatel driver (from the notebookforums.com site). There is no need to do both. Either way will result in getting the 'stereo mix'.

Jim

Digiti · Answer

I tried the replacement of the 92xxm2-5.ini hack which gave me the enhanced Sigmatel Control Panel with the stereo mix that I wanted but also I got a tremendously irritating intermittent static noise that drove me nuts. I therefore reverted back to the Dell Sigmatel driver. I am afraid an external USB soundcard now is my only choice. I think Dell should have been up front about the limitations of their integrated audio to say the least.

Digiti · Answer

I did the 92XXM2-5.INI substitution in the the Dell Sigmatel driver update which is described in the www.notebookforums.com website for the Inspiron 1505...The hack for a 1705 Dell would involve the substitution of the 92xxm2-3.ini file in the WDM folder instead for that laptop.  My efforts gave me the enhanced Sigmatel Control panel and all the other goodies, but my sound was afflicted with a very annoying intermittent static noise. This forced me to revert back to the unhacked Dell Sigmatel driver again. Would running the setup.exe in the LG Sigmatel driver for a complete overwrite of the Dell driver give me a better result with sound quality everything else being equal? Thanks Message Edited by Digiti on 01-16-200704:32 PM

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cannot record through mic or line in

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