Microphone not working

madolive

New Member
Messages
4
Hi, I have a Dell Dimension running Win 8.1 pro. Recently my microphone has stopped working. I have looked at other threads and none have helped. My mic does work with other computers but no with mine. When I tried to record my voice on many apps (Skype, sound recorder) but no luck. When I pull the jack out of the hole slightly it displays that the microphone has made a small sound.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
A Dell Dimension on Win 8????

What model Dimension and what sound device and driver do you have?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
That sounds like a USB headset??? USB headsets have their own digital to analog conversion in the headset. Try a different USB jack , if you haven't already.

Also, check the status of the headset in the Device Manager. If its not shown, check the USB section to see if there are any unknown devices listed. If there are its probably your headset.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
That sounds like a USB headset??? USB headsets have their own digital to analog conversion in the headset. Try a different USB jack , if you haven't already.

Also, check the status of the headset in the Device Manager. If its not shown, check the USB section to see if there are any unknown devices listed. If there are its probably your headset.

MY headset is has 3.5mm jack (2, 1 for mic and 1 for sound)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Then it is not a "plug and play" headset. It is a standard analog headset.

Again, as my initial request, what Model Dell (e.g. Dimension 5150, Dimension 9100, etc), what are you using for the sound card and what driver?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
then it is not a "plug and play" headset. It is a standard analog headset.

Again, as my initial request, what model dell (e.g. Dimension 5150, dimension 9100, etc), what are you using for the sound card and what driver?

Picture1.png
dell dimension 5150
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Wow! I'm surprised it even works. I had a Dimension E510, which is identical to the 5150 (The E510 was only sold in the US, the 5150 was sold worldwide). I used to do a lot of support on the Dell forum.

I see you have the generic, basic function, Windows installed HD Audio Codec. That's probably the best you can do with drivers for the Sigmatel audio. Dell has Vista 32 bit OS drivers, which on outside change may work. Product Support | Dell US

Dell uses a Proprietary (and undocumented) front panel connection to the Motherboard. Not much you can do there except maybe reseat the connector. However, I suspect the problems are the fact the old hardware and lack of support from Dell. When I worked the Dell forums we saw many that had upgraded old Dimension's to Win 7 and have sound problems. Most wound up installing a PCI sound card that was Win 7 compatible. Generally Vista drivers work on Win 7 and Win 8, but not all will work. I linked you to the Dell Vista 32 bit SigmaTel driver, give that a shot and see what happens.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
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