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Teddeo1000

10 Posts

19142

January 22nd, 2007 20:00

Problem with my Dimension E521 when using a microphone.

Hi. I have a new Dimension E521. There is a problem with the microphone. I have to hold the microphone very close to my mouth and talk VERY loud, for it to pick up my voice. With our old Dimension, the microphone would pick up someone talking in the adjacent room. Is anyone else having this problem? Does anyone have a suggestion that may solve this problem? I have called Dell support and they did not solve this problem and they refuse to send a third party out to look at our computer, even though a third party is included in our warranty. Thanks

fireberd

9 Legend

 • 

33.3K Posts

January 22nd, 2007 20:00

What kind of mic do you have?  You must have a "computer mic".  There are also volume controls for the mic, for both "recording" and "Playback".  Check the Volume Control panel and adjust the level controls and see if that helps.

Teddeo1000

10 Posts

January 22nd, 2007 21:00

Thanks for your reply. I indeed have a computer mic. I actually have two. One that came with our old computer and a Labtec AM42 NCAT. Both of them worked just fine with our old computer. I have checked all volume controls and made all kinds of adjustments. Nothing has helped. Thanks again for your reply.

fireberd

9 Legend

 • 

33.3K Posts

January 23rd, 2007 09:00

Is this a problem with on line chat?  If so, there are many posts about low mic volume level on many different Dell's.  Do a search on this section.  Most of the "low volume" mic problems posted here are in relation to on line chat.
 
If it's ANY mic volume, then it's obviously a different problem.  

Teddeo1000

10 Posts

January 23rd, 2007 09:00

 Yes, the mic has low volume regardless of what program it is used on. Using the Sound Recorder and sending text messages are my main issues. However, the mic has low volume reguardless of how it is used. I will do some searches. Thanks.

fireberd

9 Legend

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33.3K Posts

January 23rd, 2007 10:00

Also, is the mic volume low on both the front panel and rear mic jacks?

Teddeo1000

10 Posts

January 23rd, 2007 11:00

BTW fireberd, I also play the guitar. Never played a pedal steel guitar. I do like listening to them. I appreciate your help very much. I just wish I could get Dell to do something. I wrote John Medica (Vice President) of Dell. I got no reply. Considering the help Customer Service has given me, I am not surprised that I did not get a response to my letter of complaint.

Teddeo1000

10 Posts

January 23rd, 2007 11:00

Yes, the mic volume is low on the rear and front panel jacks.

fireberd

9 Legend

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33.3K Posts

January 23rd, 2007 11:00

I play guitar, too.  I have a "Nashville" Telecaster.
 
Writing Dell isn't going to do any good.  But, don't ever expect them to rush right out on "next day service" for a problem.  It has to be determined that there is a hardware problem first (they won't come out on software problems).   
 
The first thing I'd try is to borrow a new or recent computer mic from a friend and try it.  Who knows about the "old" mics as depending on how old it is, the standards have changed.
 
Another thing to try is to uninstall the audio in the Windows Device Manger then restart Windows and the sound will be detected and reinstalled (refreshed).
 
Finally, if all else fails, since this is a new PC, backup your user data to a CD or DVD first, then use the Dell restore partition and restore the PC to the original Power Up condition and see if that fixes it (CTRL/F11 at boot up).  I know this is a hassle, but if Dell has not asked you to do this yet, it's one thing they will ask you to do before even considering hardware.
 
Another thought, if you have some type of other audio, such as the output from a tape recorder, you can try that in the mic input and see what happens.  The mic input is only mono, not stereo (the "ring" connection on the plug is for 5V DC to power the computer (condenser) mic, but it may help in troubleshooting.  If the input from some other device is OK then it's back to your old mics.

Teddeo1000

10 Posts

January 23rd, 2007 12:00

I don’t think I will have time to “uninstall the audio in the Windows Device Manger” today. However, I will try as soon as I can.

Both mics are working. They work with the old computer.

I have already did a restore. It did not help.

I can’t help but think there is a problem with the hardware. I am thinking the sound card that Dell installed, is not compatible with using mics on Dimension E521. What upsets me is, I paid Dell for a computer that has a sound recorder and mics jacks. Therefore the mic should work. In my opinion, Dell should get the mic to work or give me another computer. All I want is for the mic to work properly.

Teddeo1000

10 Posts

January 25th, 2007 18:00

Well, I got someone from Dell that could help me. Seems the letter I wrote to the Vice President got some attention.The  REC (Resolution Expert Center) Web escalations group, located at Dell Corporate Headquarters in Round Rock, Texas was given my case. They were very helpful. My "Microphone Boost" was not checked. All is well now with the mic. Thanks for replies Fireberd just the same.

dmacmaster

9 Posts

March 5th, 2007 06:00

Hello People.
I have exactly the same problem with my mic as is described above. I have tried everything described above including the mic boost. I still have to put the mic against my mouth and speak loudly for any of my skype / voipstunt contacts to hear me. I bought my E521 in dec. 2006 and I've had numerous problems with Dell from the order onwards. Please can someone help me. I can't be bothered trying their tech department any more just to receive the same answers as are noted in the previous threads. Believe me, some of us are just a little familiar with pc's (my first one was a sinclair zx81 so I think I'm experienced enough not to have to tell me again the fixes for the computer illiterate. THANKS very much to the person out there that might help me with my problem.
Dave (not very happy)
(The problem was there from day 1)
 

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