Microphone problems with Packard Bell desktop

Have you tried the Pink Mic jack on the rear of the PC? See if that one works. If it does it points to a probable problem with the front panel jack or internal wiring.

Thanks, fireberd, but I've tried that and it makes no difference.

I can't find the downloads on the Packard Bell site. What is the sound device in this PC? e.g. RealTek? Connexant?, etc.

Both audio drivers can be downloaded from:

Packard Bell IMedia S2885 Drivers Download for Windows 7, 8, XP, Vista

Would recommend you download em both, uninstall what ever you are running and install one of them, if that doesnt work, then uninstall that one and install the other one.

That is not the official PackardBell download site. It looks like the typical "pay for drivers" site.

I would only download direct from PC or Motherboard vendorsl, or vendors such as Nvidia (for Nvidia video), AMD for Radeon Video, RealTek for sound, etc.

Thanks, but as I said in my first post, I have already downloaded and installed the driver from Packard Bell (Realtek) and it didn't help.

I don't know how this particular microphone works, and whether it requires 5VDC to operate like "computer" microphones require (they are condenser type microphones). But, if it requires the 5VDC and the voltage provided by the PC is not the full 5VDC that could be an issue.

The 5VDC is on the "ring" connection on the plug (the plug has the tip which is the signal, the ring for voltage and sleeve which is the ground (earth) connection.

I've read reviews on this particular (low cost) microphone and I've seen several complaining of low volume.

Interesting, fireberd. If I were to buy another microphone, do you know what I should look out for if I want to be sure it will work with my PC?

I wouldn't rush to buy a different mic. But, a "computer" mic is what the PC is designed to work with. Not one that is designed for an iPhone/iPad for example. The microphone you have appears to NOT be a "computer" mic. If this is the case and its basically a typical "P.A." system microphone, it will have a very low level output and shouldn't work correctly with any computer. P.A. type microphones are designed for high amplification systems, where a computer microphone has a relatively high signal level and thus does not need the high amplification.

A mic designed for standard P.A. amplification systems requires a pre amp (to amplify the signal) to work with a PC.

Thanks for your suggestions, fireberd. On ebay this microphone is described as being for PC/laptop/Skype. I already have a pre-amp so I connected the mike to this but when I tried to record anything I just got an odd sound.

Maybe I'm being naive (and showing my age!) but it seems to me, if you pay several hundred pounds for a PC which claims to be able to record and you insert a microphone which claims to be suitable for use with a PC, then you should damn well be able to record. You shouldn't have to go on to web forums seeking advice as to what or what not to do. There, that's just me having a rant, and I feel better for that. Thanks again for your advice.

I 100% agree with you it should work without all the headaches. But, unfortunately that is not always the case. I'm a retired computer network and hardware help desk manager, if PC's never "broke" I wouldn't have had a job.

If it is a microphone designed for a computer then it won't work with a preamp unless the preamp can provide the 5VDC needed for it to operate.

If it works on one PC and not another then the first thing I would question is the 5VDC being low or missing. The 5VDC is on the "ring" connection on the jack/plug.

If the PC is still under warranty, I would contact them. If there is a hardware problem only the vendor can get it corrected for you under warranty.

Thanks, fireberd. I'm sure you're right, that I should contact Packard Bell under the warranty, but I just can't face the hassle, so they'll get away with it. Although the microphone in question works with my Acer Aspire laptop, the latter's inbuilt mike is a joke. Packard Bell is a subsidiary of Acer so maybe the two companies have a problem with recording equipment. I'll just make a note not to buy a computer from either of them again.