Problems with new Microphone, any help?

**Destroyer25** · March 5th, 2010, 07:19 PM

I just bought a new microphone for gaming/commentary purposes. My computer is a Dell, operating system is Windows XP. The problem is the microphone isn't working. I think the problem is that my computer won't recognize the microphone. My default and only audio device is SigmaTel Audio. When I run Fraps (Gaming recording software) that's the only option. Anyone know why my microphone isn't working? And don't give me stupid answers like is it turned on or in the right port (Its in the Mic port not USB). I'm convinced that my computer isn't recognizing it, seeing as I bought it 2 days ago I'd like to believe its not broken.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**bladepro91** · March 6th, 2010, 03:40 AM

well the only reason i can think of, is that ur computer does not have the driver for ur hardware, im sorry i cant think of anything else.

**Destroyer25** · March 6th, 2010, 11:33 AM

How do I get this driver then?

**stroyal** · March 6th, 2010, 11:56 AM

If it plugs into the mic port it has nothing to do with drivers, for the mic.
Any mic will work in a mic port, if the port is working.

Does another mic work in the port.
Does the mic work on any other computer.

Welcome to TechIMO!

**stroyal** · March 6th, 2010, 12:22 PM

Is the microphone checked (Volume Control/ Options/ Properties)?
Is it muted in (Volume Controls)?

Anyone that thinks that a microphone has drivers, should not be telling us what the answer isn't.

**Destroyer25** · March 6th, 2010, 02:54 PM

Microphone is checked, its not muted. My old mic worked alright, so I think its a matter of my computer not recognizing this one. But I'll see if my mic works in another comp.

**bladepro91** · March 7th, 2010, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by Destroyer25

Microphone is checked, its not muted. My old mic worked alright, so I think its a matter of my computer not recognizing this one. But I'll see if my mic works in another comp.

once again, it might be the driver, go to start, right click my computer, click manage, then click manage devices and try to find a yellow ! beside sum of your drivers and devices.

that worked for me.

**stroyal** · March 7th, 2010, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by bladepro91

once again, it might be the driver, go to start, right click my computer, click manage, then click manage devices and try to find a yellow ! beside sum of your drivers and devices.

that worked for me.

And once again only USB mics have drivers, it could be a sound card driver, but he said his old mic works.

**stroyal** · March 7th, 2010, 11:30 AM

Is this a condensing mic, that requires a battery?
Do the plugs on the old and new mic match up exactly for length and spacing?
Does the sound card have it's own control panel?
Is the right mic chosen under the voice tab?

**Destroyer25** · March 7th, 2010, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by stroyal

Is this a condensing mic, that requires a battery?
Do the plugs on the old and new mic match up exactly for length and spacing?
Does the sound card have it's own control panel?
Is the right mic chosen under the voice tab?

1. No theres no bats, it just plugs into the Microphone slot.
2. If they didn't then wouldn't one of them not fit?
3. Nope
4. Wheres the voice tab?

**stroyal** · March 7th, 2010, 12:08 PM

2 The diameter is the same, so it will plug in, the contacts just won't line up, if the spacing is different.
I have only seen this once, If I didn't push the plug in all the way, it would work in my case.
It might not have been a computer mic though.( long time ago)

4 Right click the volume control next to the clock,choose adjust audio properties, check under both the voice and audio tab.

Edit:
I had it backwards, you don't choose the mic, you choose the sound device for the mic to use.

**Destroyer25** · March 7th, 2010, 04:15 PM

The only Audio device I have is SigmaTel Audio.

**bigBonehead** · March 7th, 2010, 11:15 PM

If you are using XP... Right click the Speaker icon, and click on Adjust Audio Properties. Click the Audio Tab... Under Sound Recording, make sure your Sigma-Tel is selected in the drop down menu. Then click on Volume tab, which will open another panel. Click on Options > Properties on top left. Click on Recording. There should be a box for showing the microphone volume control... check the one that yer plugged into, then OK tab (the one labeled microphone is the front jack). That will take you back to the Recording Control Panel. Click on Advanced under Microphone, and put a check in the mic boost box. Close out everything and re-boot...

Hope this helps!