The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Using an external mic with a Sony PCG-7F1L

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by r3coil, Dec 3, 2006.

  1. r3coil

    r3coil Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have a Sony VAIO PCG-7F1L laptop. This laptop comes with a built in microphone and webcam. The problem I'm having is that when I go to plug in a microphone into the mic jack it's not recognized. Instead, the built in microphone picks up all the sound and the external mic goes unnoticed. I have verified that the microphone works in another computer and I have done a bit of poking around in places that seem obvious to me but I have been unable to find a setting that will change this. Any help is appreciated :)
     
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    7,857
    Messages:
    16,212
    Likes Received:
    58
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Go to Start->Control Panel->Sounds and Audio Devices->Voice and change the setting for "Default Device" in the Voice Recording section.

    Another idea would be to disable the internal mic: unplug your external mic then Start->Right Click My Computer->Properties->Hardware->Device Manager and look for your audio device (mic). Right click on it->Properties->Go to "Device Usage" at the bottom and select "Do not use this device"

    Plug in the external mic...does it work now?
     
  3. r3coil

    r3coil Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Well, there was only one option in the dropdown box for your first suggestion so that was a no go. I went into device manager but I couldn't see any option for the internal microphone. So on a whim, I decided to let it automatically update the realtek driver. Bam. Suddenly when I plug in the external mic it's recognised :)

    Thank you very much for your help.
     
  4. r3coil

    r3coil Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Okay, now this is weird.

    Apparently I can only get the external mic working if it is plugged in when I reboot the computer. If i start up the computer AND THEN plug it in, only the built-in mic works. Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?
     
  5. safexchange

    safexchange Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have exactly the same problem. I have a Sony VGN-FZ15G. External Mic was working fine through the mic jack. Now it doesn't. Done the obivious: Check headset with other notebook, reinstall driver, reboot, check mic level . . .

    No joy. Any ideas. Can be v annoying when someone calls on skype.

    Internal mic works ok