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General discussion

Mic is not working. BIOS?

Mar 10, 2004 4:21AM PST

Problem: Microphone is not working. Speakers are working. Line-in volume is activated, sound device is working properly according to XP but mic test fails.Tried 3 different mics.
Been told that BIOS sound for mic might be disabled.
Can this be correct and how do I fix it?
New computer: Celeron2.6
Motherboard: EPoX EP-P4MKi for S478/533mhz VIA P4M266A, ATA133, m-ATX, VGA, LAN
Sound,graphics,network integrated on motherboard.
XP-home edition.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Mic is not working. BIOS?
Mar 10, 2004 5:03AM PST

Make darn sure the MIC is connected to the right port. Under the bios, there should be at least an "enable" for the build-in sound/audio, though I thought there is one for MIC itself. I suggest you reload or find the proper drivers for the sound/audio which in turn will enable the MIC side. These are probably offered in the mtrbd. driver CD if you have one. If not, get the latest driver(s) from the support website from Epox for your model mtrbd.(make sure of model) and get the sound/audio driver and for the XP OS usage. If you still have problems, maybe the cable to the mic or the mic itself is bad, it does happen. Also, the under the multimedia icon under the control panel that the mic isn't "muted" or at a low level. Also, that's a good place to see if even it is installed or selected.

good luck -----Willy

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Re:Re:Mic is not working. BIOS?
Mar 10, 2004 5:52AM PST

Right click on the little speaker on your task bar.
Select "Adjust audio properties". Select the "Voice" tab. Under "Voice recording" select "Volume". Under "Microphone" check "Select". Increase the microphone volume.

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Re:Re:Mic is not working. BIOS?
Mar 10, 2004 6:22AM PST

Thanks Willy.
How do I check the bios? Reboot and press one of the "F" buttons or?
If sound/audio and mic is enabled in bios I guess it is unneccesary to reload drivers. Right?
Then I can assume that either sound/ audio or mic is bad? I have tested 3 different mics and it is the right port so it will only be the Epox left. Right?
Computor supplier recommend to send back the card.
I suspect that this will force me to reinstall everything in the computor because it's integrated on the motherboard. It seems to me that a better idea would be to install a new sound card. What is your opinion.

Stefan

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Re:Re:Re:Mic is not working. BIOS?
Mar 10, 2004 6:46AM PST

I visitd the Epox support website and found no new drivers or rather none available. dang!

You truly need to check the manual, its on your mtrbd. CD and YES you do need to load the mtrbd. drivers. I'm sure when the CD is running, it will pop-up a list of items to install. Past experience has shown the audio/sound drivers listed by themselves or a line item, click on it and proceed. Windows will provide a basic driver but it just can't cover every product out there, thus the mtrbd. drivers. Look under the device mgr. and check for any red/yellow flags. These are items that need to be corrected if found. Alas, the bios can be entered, again check the manual for whatever they suggest. Generically speaking, in most cases hitting the <Del> key upon bootup will enter the bios area, be sure to save upon exit any changes. It may even suggest what key to hit during the boot-up so pay attention as its booting up(maybe?). Once there you'll probably need to navigate abit to find the audio portion(intergated periphals?), so take your time. If none of this works or fails to correct the problem, then return the mtrbd. as last resort. But, rememeber you'll be doing the same process when the new mtrbd. arrives. So don't send it back until you're sure it a bad port, etc..

good luck -----Willy

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Re:Re:Re:Re:Mic is not working. BIOS?
Mar 11, 2004 2:16AM PST

Hi again Willy!
Thanks for all your efforts.
I'm not a computer specialist but I try to learn and understand all the time.
In Sounds and Audio devices everything looks OK but the mic test under Voice tab fails.
The computer/ motherboard is installed at supplier and should have all the drivers installed. How can I see if not?
I been in to Setup (=change of BIOS?)by pressing F12 during restart. Audio (only options available) is enabled.
What do you say?

Stefan

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Enable the Microphone
Mar 10, 2004 7:07AM PST
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Re:Enable the Microphone
Mar 11, 2004 12:57AM PST

Thanks snapshot.
All that is checked.
Do you think that BIOS can be set differently to override the settings i can see in Windows? I will anyhow check what BIOS is set to. Wish me luck, havn't been in there before.

Steo

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Re:Re:Enable the Microphone
Mar 11, 2004 5:56AM PST

I have never seen anthing in the BIOS that controls the microphone.

In your original post you stated that you have the Line-In volume activated. If you are going to use the microphone, you should not have the Line-In activated. You need the Microphone control activated.

If you are plugging the microphone into the Line-In connector it will never work. It MUST be plugged into the microphone connector.

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