Sound Input (Microphone)

If you are having trouble with your microphone, you need to check the volume control on both your microphone itself as well as settings on your computer.

Before adjusting, always double check that your headset is plugged into the "Microphone" or "Audio In" port--not the speakers/audio out port!
You will see a round slider in the middle of your headset cord. Move this slider closer toward the + instead of the - in order to turn up the volume. Also, there is a switch on the side which can mute the microphone. Make sure this is not set to mute.

This can be done automatically or manually. If you are having trouble with the automatic adjustment, try the manual adjustment.

Single-click the Volume icon on the Taskbar (it looks like a grey, conical speaker.) This opens the Master Volume Slider. Slide toward the top to increase volume; double check that Mute is not checked.
Note: If you do not see the volume icon on the Taskbar:
1. Click Start
2. Choose Control Panel
3. Click Sounds and Audio Devices
4. On the volume tab, place a check mark beside "Place volume icon in the Taskbar." If your computer says "No Audio Device Installed," see troubleshooting, below.
5. Click Apply, and then click OK. The Volume icon appears in the Taskbar.
If your mic still does not work, double-click the Volume icon on the Taskbar to open the Volume Control Settings window.
Select the Options menu and click Properties
In "Adjust volume for," click the Recording radio (circular) button
In "Show the following volume controls," place a check in the Microphone check box.
Click OK
Make sure there is a checkmark in the Microphone "Select" box, then adjust the volume for Microphone. If the volume is now acceptable, proceed directly to step 11.
Note: If you do not see the Advanced button, select Options from the Recording Control window, and then click Advanced Controls.
To make finer adjustments to the sound, click the Advanced button, and then select the (Microphone) 1 Mic Boost check box.
Click Close
Repeat step 6 if needed
Click the X at the upper-right corner of the Volume Control window to close.

If the Sounds and Audio Devices Menu in Control Panel says "No Audio Device Installed," your comptuer may have the wrong sound output device settings.

Check on both the Audio and Voice Tabs in Sounds and Audio Devices to make sure that SoundMAX or Real97 Digital Audio is selected for Sound Recording - not a modem. Then select Apply and OK and try the above steps again.