Re: Off topic? Microphone not enabled

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Patrick Keenan wrote:
"Cooler Dude" <down@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:u7holtvQIHA.5692@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win XP SP2

I recently bought a Logitech headset with microphone.
Headphones work fine. Mic doesn't.

Have been through all volume and audio settings, used front
and rear panel jacks without success.

With volume control panel open and mic recoding "Mute" button
un-checked, I run the audio setup wizard. It correctly
identifies the speakers and headphone but not the mic. As
soon as I click "Next" to move to the Mic test, the "Mute"
button on the volume control panel becomes checked and the mic
test page in the wizard is greyed out.

This auto deselct of the mic can mean that your sound card is
half-duplex, meaning that it will record (using the mic) or
play (using the speakers or headphones), but can NOT do both at
the same time.
If you tried Skype, for example, you'd find the mic suddenly
muted very early into the test call.

If that's the case, you must use another, full-duplex sound
card. It's a hardware limitation that you cannot change.

Carefully check the manuals for your system, and find the specs
for the sound card.

HTH
-pk



Thanks Patrick. I think I've got *less than* half-duplex because it will only play and never accept microphone input, even with all playback devices disabled!
Manuals - ha! I wish. The SoundMax audio is integral with the motherboard (Asus P5B Deluxe) so no separate sound card, Such audio information as there is in the motherboard manual shows the microphone settings menus, etc. and even "Enhanced Microphone Features" but nothing to indicate any limitations for its use or why the microphone test/setup otpions fail/are greyed out and certainly no specification detail.

I've Googled the topic and found nothing except others with the same problem and no solution! I think I'll try an alternative sound card - nothing to lose but a few ££.

.

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