Windows XP - My portable has microphone problems.

Article TCL000

Check microphone volume:

  1. Double-click the Volume icon in the System Tray.

    Note: If a volume icon is not present in the System Tray, click Start, then click Control Panel. In Control Panel, double-click Sounds and Audio Devices, and then place a check in the box for Show volume icon on taskbar. Click OK and close Control Panel, and then double-click the Volume icon in the System Tray.

  2. In the Volume Control window, click Options, and then click Properties.

  3. Place a check in the boxes for all options in the list, then click OK.

  4. Unmute anything that is muted.

  5. Increase Microphone volume all the way up.

Check microphone boost:

  1. In the Volume Control window, click Options.

  2. Click Advanced Controls.

  3. Click the Advanced button.

  4. Check Mic Boost, and then click Close.

Check recording settings:

  1. Click Options, click Properties and check the Recording option.

  2. Place a check in the boxes for all options in the list.

  3. Click OK, and make sure Microphone has Select checked.

  4. Increase Microphone volume all the way.

  5. In the Volume Control window, click Options.

  6. Click Advanced Controls.

  7. Click the Advanced button and make sure Mic Boost is checked.

Test hardware:

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Sounds and Audio Devices.

  2. Click the Voice tab, then click Test Hardware.

  3. Run the Test Hardware Wizard.

You will know that the microphone and port are working correctly if you can hear yourself speaking into the microphone or you can see the green volume bar move up and down as you speak into the microphone.

If the microphone does not work, test the microphone on the other microphone port of the computer.

If the microphone is still not working, test the microphone on another computer or test a known good microphone on this computer. If issues still exist, and it worked recently, do a System Restore. If the microphone is known to be good and it works, perform a full system restore from the hidden partition or recovery CD.

If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods: