How do I know if my laptop has an internal microphone

If it has the webcam, it has an internal mic (actually it has two of them).  Are you sure the mic isn't set to "mute" in the audio control panel?

In addition, if it just says "High Definition Audio Device" then the IDT audio driver is not installed for some reason. When the IDT driver is installed then it will say "IDT High Definition Audio". Besides the IDT driver, you should have the webcam driver and the Webcam Central application installed. Then you should see something like this on the Recording tab

:

The "Microphone/Line in" is for the mic jack, and the "Microphone Array" is the internal webcam mics.

If all of the software is installed and you still do not see "Microphone Array', right click in the white area of the Recording tab and look for it under disabled and disconnected devices, then enable it and set as default device.

I wish I can do a print screen to show you what I see, but it does not paste in an email  I can paste it into Paint or Microsoft word, and then I try to copy and past from those programs, but it won't past.  I do it at my computer at work, but for some reason I can't paste into this box or an email.  I have tried Control+V also.  

But the menu I see sas this:

Micrphone

High Definitiion Audio Device

Not plugged in

Microphone (with the checkmark for default)

High Definitiion Audio Device

Default Dvice

And that's all.  Nothing else.  On the second one, the default one, the green bar on the right side was half-way up this afternoon, now it only has two lines that are green at the bottom.

I followed this instruction - right click in the white area of the Recording tab and look for it under disabled and disconnected devices, then enable it and set as default device - and there is a checkmark next to "Show Disconnected Device", but no checkmark next to "Show Disabled Device" .  Is that correct?

Thanks for your help.  I apprecuate it.

I don't think so, but can you direct me to the place to find this?  I have Microsoft 7.  Thanks.

I don't think the microphone is muted, but can you direct me to the audio control panel to find this?  I have Microsoft 7.  Thanks.

I wish I can do a print screen to show you what I see, but it does not paste in an email  I can paste it into Paint or Microsoft word, and then I try to copy and past from those programs, but it won't past.  I do it at my computer at work, but for some reason I can't paste into this box or an email.  I have tried Control+V also.

The way I use this discussion board, click on "Use Rich Formatting" instead of "Reply".

To insert a screen capture shot, first save it as a jpeg or other image file on your computer. To insert your picture in your text, find the yellow smilie icon in the toolbar and go over 7 icons to the left to the "Insert Image" one.

Click on that Insert Image icon and from there you can browse to where you saved the picture on your computer, then upload it to the forum which might take a couple of seconds, and finally insert it into your reply.

It is also useful to use "Use Rich Formatting" when you want to quote because there is a button for doing that.

I followed this instruction - right click in the white area of the Recording tab and look for it under disabled and disconnected devices, then enable it and set as default device - and there is a checkmark next to "Show Disconnected Device", but no checkmark next to "Show Disabled Device" .  Is that correct?

You should do that after you have installed the software. Right now you are on Windows native audio driver. You need the IDT audio driver and Webcam Central if you do not have that application installed..

This is the IDT audio driver for an Inspiron 1545 with 7.

Here are instructions for getting the Webcam Central app.

Regarding the copy and paste, why is it so complicated.  I do the same thing at work, and I don't have this problem on my laptop at work.  I used the Riich Formatting and was able to put the screen shot in below.

Thanks for your help. I first downloaded the driver, but nothing happened.  Was I supposed to do something after that download?

Before I uninstall the Webcam, I wanted to follow the instructions to go to Dell.com, sign in, etc, and I can't get past this page:  It just keeps saying "Examining your computer, please wait"  the screen blinks every 20 seconds or so, but it has not moved from this screen.  I have the original CD Rom from when I bought the computer.  Would that work?

after i downloaded the driver, my menu changed to the following.  I am sorry it is so smaill.  I enlarged it in paint, but this is how it saved, and then I inserted it.

But I tested the microphone and it still doesn't work.

Regarding the copy and paste, why is it so complicated.

You would have to ask the Dell powers that be why they use such a user unfriendly platform. Beats me. When they first started using it several years ago I assumed that they were getting a really good price on it, since it appears to be the work of school kids. But to be fair, on the platform they had before this one, you could not paste pictures either as I recall. You had to upload them to someplace on the internet and then in your post you could insert a link to the site that had the pictures.

I first downloaded the driver, but nothing happened.  Was I supposed to do something after that download?

After downloading, you unzip it to the default location on the hard drive -- in other words let it unzip to the folder suggested by Windows unzip wizard. After unzipping, the installation wizard will run and install the driver. I can't tell what it says on your small screen shot. If you see the word "IDT" then the driver is installed.

I have the original CD Rom from when I bought the computer.  Would that work?

Did the computer come with 7 pre-installed? If so, yes you can use the cd. If Vista was originally on the computer, then some or most of the software on the cd will be Vista version, but you should be able to install them into 7 anyway by using Vista Compatibility Mode. Look on the cd and see what is there. Instead of "Webcam Central" it might have "Webcam Center" and if so you could try that.

On your small screen shot, does it say "Microphone Array -- IDT High Definition Audio"?  If so, try opening the black IDT control panel. It should be in the Windows Control Panel, a path something like this but maybe a little different in 7 : Start>Control Panel>IDT.

Make the settings look like this.

regarding the original CD rom, the computer came with Vista, and then Dell sent me a free upgrade to Windows 7.  

It daoes say "Microphpne Array - IDT High Definition Audio CODEC".  I set my settings exactly like you have it under Microphone Array.  My screen looks slightly different on the right hand side.  Under Jacks, I have a picture of just 2 jacks saying HP and MIc.  I don't have a picture of "HDMI".   What about the tabs on the left hand side - "Microphone Line-in" and "Rec Playback" . Do I need to do anything with those?  Anyway, i tried to configure speech recognition, and nothing happened.  Is there anyplace else I can test to see if the mic is working?

Hello. Sorry for the delay in replying.

It daoes say "Microphpne Array - IDT High Definition Audio CODEC".

Go into the Properties of the mic array and see if everything looks all right, enabled, etc.

I don't have a picture of "HDMI".

HDMI  audio. is a function of the video driver. The graphic might appear if you were to connect an HDMI cable between your laptop and a TV.

What about the tabs on the left hand side - "Microphone Line-in" and "Rec Playback" . Do I need to do anything with those?

Only that neither should be the default recording device when you want to use the mic array.

Is there anyplace else I can test to see if the mic is working?

Here is an Audio Recording Troubleshooter for Windows 7.  I don't have 7 and have never used the trouble shooter so I don't know exactly what it does. 

Skype's instructions for testing the mic inside Skype are here.

You could also try the Dell Diagnostics audio tests to make sure the hardware has not malfunctioned. The tests used to be able to test an internal microphone's hardware. I don't know if it still does but if you want to try it , run the audio tests and if the internal mic test is still there it will eventually come up.

1. Restart the computer and tap the f12 key as soon as it starts to boot up .
2. Select 'Diagnostic' from the boot menu. The computer will run its pre-boot assessment tests (PSA) before Dell Diagnostics starts. During the PSA you will hear some tones through the system speaker. Dell Diagnostics plays an instrumental piece of music complete with drums, so if you only hear some tones then you have only run the PSA.
3. Dell Diagnostics should open after the PSA tests, or you should see an option to open it. If you have ever reformatted your entire hard drive then Dell Diagnostics will no longer be there as an option. In that case run it from the Drivers and Utilities (Resource) CD if you have one.
4. Select 'Custom', then the audio tests.

Another way to test a mic is to open Windows Sound Recorder and try to record into it using the mic. If it records all right then the mic hardware is okay. The problem with this method is that if it doesn't work then you still don't know if it's the hardware or a configuration issue.

I'm not clear on the status of Webcam Central (or Webcam Center on some models) on your laptop. Can you start the program okay?

How to Start Webcam Central

   1. Click Start
   2. Click All Programs
   3. Click the Dell Webcam
   4. Click Webcam Central to start the program.
   5. In the lower right-hand corner of the Dell Webcam Central window, click the drop-down arrow next to the picture of the microphone select Microphone. Make sure it is not muted.

How to Start Webcam Center

   1. Click Start.
   2. When the menu opens, highlight either All Programs or Programs.
   3. Click the Dell Webcam folder, then click the Dell Webcam Manager icon to open it.
   4. In the Dell Webcam Manager, click the Dell Webcam Center.
   5. In the lower right-hand corner of the Dell Webcam Center window, click the drop-down arrow next to Audio Source and click Digital Mic to enable the microphone. (On some models click Microphone/Line-in>More>Microphone Array Sigmatel.)

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Jim, thank you for all your help.  I really appreciate it.  I am convinced that I don't have a microphone.  When I open Webcam Central, i do see a picture of a microphone with a sliding scale, and I recorded a video with my voice.  Neither the mic or the speakers were muted. but no sound came on when I played it back.  I am so disappointed because I have a farely new laptop, (2 years old).  thanks again.

Just upgraded to Windows10 and this advice came in real handy as I needed the IDT drivers....thanks