When you plug a microphone in your laptop (via the mic in), you should hear what you say out of your speakers. Witnout any program ...
But there, I do not here anything ; and I checked the mic volume in the sound card properties ; I also checked that the mic does work by plugging it in the speakers directly (not the laptop speakers, but others).
Okay, that is normal because Dell ships the Inspirons with the ability to monitor the input at the mic jack turned off. On most models mic monitoring can be restored by altering the value of the Registry subkey 'DisableMicFromPlayback' in Windows XP. It's a good idea to create a restore point before editing the Registry.
(This Registry edit was originally posted in a basic form by dilleyo, and jk79 later added more detailed instructions. I have put it into a step-by-step format for those of us who need it this way. If you are already familiar with editing the Registry skip down to the direct path at the bottom.)
1. Go to Start menu and click on Run. Type 'regedit' without quotes and click OK to open the Registry.
2. At the top of the list, highlight My Computer.
3. Under the Edit menu, select Find.
4. Type in 'DisableMicFromPlayback' without quotes and click 'find next'.
5. Highlight DisableMicFromPlayback. Right click on it and select Modify.
6. Highlight 01 and change to 00. Click OK.
7. Exit the Registry and restart the computer.
Next, configure the system mixer:
1. Open Volume Control by right clicking on the speaker icon on the taskbar, or go to Start/Control Panel/ Sound & Audio Devices Properties/Advanced (button).
2. Under the Options menu, select Properties.
3. Under show the following volume controls check the box next to Microphone. Click OK.
4. A mic control appears in the Volume Control. Make sure the mute box is unchecked.
That should enable you to hear the mic. (An 8600 user once reported that he also set the value of the key 'EnablePoPBypass' to 0 but I can't remember why he did that.)
Jim
Here is the direct Registry path to the key:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0005\Settings.
Again, please be more specific. What were the results of the edit. Were you unable to find the line 'disablemicfromplayback' or what? If you were able to change the value of this subkey and you have selected 'microphone' as the source in the Recording Control panel, turned up the volume in the Volume control, and you still can't hear it, it might be a problem with the physical configuration of the mic. If you are using a 'computer' mic which draws power from the bias voltage present at the mic jack, then it must have a mono (tip/sleeve, no ring) tip to work with your Inspiron. If it has a stereo tip it might work if you insert it in about halfway.
The more details you can give, gthe better the chance someone can understand the problem.
If you weren't able to complete the edit keep working on it. Without that being done you will never hear that mic through the speakers.
- the first one is an Olitec one ; it was given with my first modem ; it does not work on my laptop, but it does not work on the speakers even ...
- the second one is, in fact, a little installation : I got an Archos AV120 ; I plugged it on the laptop via a male-male jack wire and set the "Record" function on the Archos. It works on the speakers (when I talk in the little incorporated microphone, I hear what I say in the speakers), but not on the laptop.
Obviously, I will not use the first mic anymore ;-) But if the second does not work, it is strange ...
I hope I am comprehensible. If not, do not hesitate to ask me questions !!!
I have a 700m and my mic input was inop as well. I did the registry edit for "DisableMicFromPlayback" and the result was that I was only getting popping sound from my speakers but no voice when talking into the mic. I went back to the registry editor and changed the setting for "DisableMicSelect" from 01 to 00, the result is my mic input is working just fine with both my microphone as well as the line level output from my outboard PC controlled Radio. After changing the setting for the "DisableMicSelect", I now show two microphone options when selecting the "Advanced Button" on the volume control panel:1) Alternate Mic & 2) Microphone boost.
Thanx for your help. But even after changing the vvalue of this key (DisableMicSelect), I do not hear anything out of my speakers :-(
I do have 2 options in the audio properties, but no sound ...
I really don't uderstand what is the problem now ...
Could anyone please compare the following screnshot of the registry with his part of the registry and report the differences ? The screenshot : http://f1results.en.free.fr/registry.jpg
Moreover, my Olitec mic works ! Whereas my Archos makes big parasites ; I can even hear the radio (France Info) by plugging my Archos via a male-male jack wire !! I think that the wire is a good antenna ;-)
It also works on MSN, that's fabulous !!!
And to answer all of your questions ... I have an Inspiron 8600 (I've written it on the subject, but I think you didn't see it) and my OS in Win XP with SP2.
Your registry looks all right to me, but you could try setting 'EnablePOPBypass' to 00.
I have re-read this thread and I notice that you have not reported actually trying to test whether or not your mic signal is getting into the computer. If it is not then trying to enable mic monitoring in the Registry is a waste of time. You can only monitor a signal if you have a signal to monitor. To test:
Open 'Sounds & Audio Devices Properties' (right click on the volume icon on the taskbar, or go through the control panel).
Select the Audio tab. Click on 'Volume' under 'Sound Recording' (not Sound Playback).
Click on the 'Select' box underneath the 'Microphone' control.
Push the mic volume slider all the way up.
Click on 'Advanced' under the microphone select box. Check the mic boost box.
Now open Windows Sound Recorder under Start/Programs/Accessories/Entertainment. Click on the red Record button and then speak into the mic. If the green line moves then the mic is working regardless of whether or not you can hear it.
If the line doesn't move it means no signal is getting through for some reason, usually either an incompatible mic or a bad jack.
I wish I had paid more attention and noticed that you have an 8600. That seems to be the only one that needs enablepopbypass altered. I could have included that knowledge in my original instructions. Well, all is well tht ends well.
That was a good tip about "DisableMicSelect". There is an issue with the 700, that the mic jack just doesn't work for most users and Dell doesn't have a fix for it. It would be great if that registry edit were to help other 700m users.
That registry edit is intrigueing, because the audio chip on the motherboard has pins for 2 mics to be connected to it: the mic jack and an internal mic. Since the 700 doesn't have an internal mic then it should not need to have "DisableMicSelect" altered. Makes me wonder if Dell attached the mic jack to the wrong set of pins on the 700. Just speculating.
I had the same idea about the wrong mic input being selected after changing the "DisableMicFromPlayback" since I got background noise through the speakers with or without the microphone being connected (especially audible with the mic boost on). I can't believe Dell would not have figured out that they may have the wrong Mic input setup as the default.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
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13.6K Posts
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November 3rd, 2005 20:00
Jim
Alomon
11 Posts
0
November 3rd, 2005 20:00
Ok, I explain :
When you plug a microphone in your laptop (via the mic in), you should hear what you say out of your speakers. Witnout any program ...
But there, I do not here anything ; and I checked the mic volume in the sound card properties ; I also checked that the mic does work by plugging it in the speakers directly (not the laptop speakers, but others).
I hope you would understand ;-)
Thanx !
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
November 4th, 2005 00:00
(This Registry edit was originally posted in a basic form by dilleyo, and jk79 later added more detailed instructions. I have put it into a step-by-step format for those of us who need it this way. If you are already familiar with editing the Registry skip down to the direct path at the bottom.)
1. Go to Start menu and click on Run. Type 'regedit' without quotes and click OK to open the Registry.
2. At the top of the list, highlight My Computer.
3. Under the Edit menu, select Find.
4. Type in 'DisableMicFromPlayback' without quotes and click 'find next'.
5. Highlight DisableMicFromPlayback. Right click on it and select Modify.
6. Highlight 01 and change to 00. Click OK.
7. Exit the Registry and restart the computer.
Next, configure the system mixer:
1. Open Volume Control by right clicking on the speaker icon on the taskbar, or go to Start/Control Panel/ Sound & Audio Devices Properties/Advanced (button).
2. Under the Options menu, select Properties.
3. Under show the following volume controls check the box next to Microphone. Click OK.
4. A mic control appears in the Volume Control. Make sure the mute box is unchecked.
That should enable you to hear the mic. (An 8600 user once reported that he also set the value of the key 'EnablePoPBypass' to 0 but I can't remember why he did that.)
Jim
Here is the direct Registry path to the key:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0005\Settings.
Alomon
11 Posts
0
November 4th, 2005 04:00
Ok
In fact, I've already done that yesterday, but now, I have not microphone to test ;-)
So I will test one this evevning and I report the result back here !
Thx !
Alomon
11 Posts
0
November 4th, 2005 16:00
Jim Coates
4 Operator
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13.6K Posts
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November 5th, 2005 09:00
The more details you can give, gthe better the chance someone can understand the problem.
If you weren't able to complete the edit keep working on it. Without that being done you will never hear that mic through the speakers.
Jim
Alomon
11 Posts
0
November 5th, 2005 10:00
Sorry ! Yes, I had changed the value of the key.
I've tested the mic in with two microphones :
- the first one is an Olitec one ; it was given with my first modem ; it does not work on my laptop, but it does not work on the speakers even ...
- the second one is, in fact, a little installation : I got an Archos AV120 ; I plugged it on the laptop via a male-male jack wire and set the "Record" function on the Archos. It works on the speakers (when I talk in the little incorporated microphone, I hear what I say in the speakers), but not on the laptop.
Obviously, I will not use the first mic anymore ;-) But if the second does not work, it is strange ...
I hope I am comprehensible. If not, do not hesitate to ask me questions !!!
Thanx !
Decimal92mach
2 Posts
0
November 5th, 2005 12:00
Alomon
11 Posts
0
November 5th, 2005 12:00
Thanx for your help. But even after changing the vvalue of this key (DisableMicSelect), I do not hear anything out of my speakers :-(
I do have 2 options in the audio properties, but no sound ...
I really don't uderstand what is the problem now ...
Could anyone please compare the following screnshot of the registry with his part of the registry and report the differences ? The screenshot : http://f1results.en.free.fr/registry.jpg
Thanx again !
Alomon
11 Posts
0
November 6th, 2005 09:00
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
November 6th, 2005 09:00
Your registry looks all right to me, but you could try setting 'EnablePOPBypass' to 00.
I have re-read this thread and I notice that you have not reported actually trying to test whether or not your mic signal is getting into the computer. If it is not then trying to enable mic monitoring in the Registry is a waste of time. You can only monitor a signal if you have a signal to monitor. To test:
Open 'Sounds & Audio Devices Properties' (right click on the volume icon on the taskbar, or go through the control panel).
Select the Audio tab. Click on 'Volume' under 'Sound Recording' (not Sound Playback).
Click on the 'Select' box underneath the 'Microphone' control.
Push the mic volume slider all the way up.
Click on 'Advanced' under the microphone select box. Check the mic boost box.
Now open Windows Sound Recorder under Start/Programs/Accessories/Entertainment. Click on the red Record button and then speak into the mic. If the green line moves then the mic is working regardless of whether or not you can hear it.
If the line doesn't move it means no signal is getting through for some reason, usually either an incompatible mic or a bad jack.
Jim
Message Edited by jimco on 11-06-2005 06:24 AM
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
November 6th, 2005 12:00
Jim
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
November 6th, 2005 12:00
That was a good tip about "DisableMicSelect". There is an issue with the 700, that the mic jack just doesn't work for most users and Dell doesn't have a fix for it. It would be great if that registry edit were to help other 700m users.
That registry edit is intrigueing, because the audio chip on the motherboard has pins for 2 mics to be connected to it: the mic jack and an internal mic. Since the 700 doesn't have an internal mic then it should not need to have "DisableMicSelect" altered. Makes me wonder if Dell attached the mic jack to the wrong set of pins on the 700. Just speculating.
Jim
Jim
Decimal92mach
2 Posts
0
November 6th, 2005 14:00
Jim,
I had the same idea about the wrong mic input being selected after changing the "DisableMicFromPlayback" since I got background noise through the speakers with or without the microphone being connected (especially audible with the mic boost on). I can't believe Dell would not have figured out that they may have the wrong Mic input setup as the default.
Mark
Alomon
11 Posts
0
November 6th, 2005 17:00
Yes, it's strange !!
But Jim, no problem for the things you had not seen : you solved the problem and that's great !
Thanx a lot !!