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    Inspiron 1521 external microphone

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by dmwcz, Feb 12, 2011.

  1. dmwcz

    dmwcz Newbie

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    Hello,
    I have Inspiron 1521 running windows 7 and I cant get my external microphone work. When I plug it in the sigmatel window shows up and offering me to choose from "microphone, line-in and opening Sigmatel Control panel"
    I already choosed all one by one and it never works. In windows I checked control panels - recording devices and everything seems to be set. Volume to 100% and not muted, mic is allowed.

    Thank you
     
    dmwcz, Feb 12, 2011
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  2. Apollo13

    Apollo13 100% 16:10 Screens

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    Are you sure it's the input volume that's set to 100%, and not the regular volume? Just setting the volume to 100% in the system tray will set the output volume to 100%. I haven't run Vista/7 for three years, so I can't tell you the exact steps on 7, but in XP you would:

    *Double click on the volume button in the taskbar.
    *Click on the Options menu, then choose Properties.
    *Choose 'Adjust volume for Recording', instead of 'Adjust Volume for Output' from the two options. Then make sure the Line In box is checked (there also will be a Microphone option, possibly a Digital Microphone option, and on XP and earlier only, a Stereo Mix that lets you record sound as it is played on your computer). Then click OK.
    *Now you'll be able to adjust the Line In volume.

    I'm almost sure the steps are different on Vista/7, but hopefully they will be close enough that you'll be able to find them. The wording of the options may differ a bit, too.

    Audacity would be a good application to use to test that it is working. It has a drop-down menu to select the audio source, and will visually display the sound waves it is recording so it's easy to see if it's picking anything up, and how much volume, relatively at least, it is picking up.
     
    Apollo13, Feb 15, 2011
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  3. dmwcz

    dmwcz Newbie

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    Thx for reply.
    Yes I'm sure its mic recording volume - when I open recording devices I can see there integrated mic and external mic. When I open properties for external I can set boost and volume.
    Tried it in audacity and skype. I thought that the connector is somehow deffect but then the segmatel window shows up.

    I¨m sry if the names are not correct, using czech version of windows so I dont know how exactly its all called in english version
     
    dmwcz, Feb 15, 2011
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