Audio Question

[Wayne Wengert]

I run XPPro/SP2 on a motherboard with integrated audio (Realtek). I have
external speakers plugged into the analog output plug and all works fine. If
I buy a USB headset and plug it in, does that automatically disable the
external speakers? I am starting to use VOIP and would like the convenience
of a headset when using that service but would prefer to have my external
speakers active at other times.

Wayne

 

[bxf]

Perhaps someone will provide a more useful reply, but in case no one
does, consider the following:

When you install your USB headset, your system will see it as an audio
device. Normally, you have only one audio device (or more accurately,
its driver) in control (determined by Audio settings in Control Panel).
The driver/controller of this "preferred" audio device is the one that
will control the computer's sound output, typically sending it to the
hardware associated with this controller.

It may be possible for a controller to send the audio output to its own
device, and also to another device, but that would be a function of
each particular controller, and is not something that one should
necessarily assume.

I'll give you one real example, as it occurs on my laptop. I have a
Creative Audigy 2 cardbus sound card, which I use by plugging my
headphones into it. When this card is plugged in, it disables the
laptop's speakers as well as the laptop's normal headphone plug, which,
when the Creative software is not active, are controlled by an AC'97
driver. One of the options provided by the Creative software that came
with this card is whether or not the sound is to be sent to the
laptop's speakers as well as the cardbus device.

Hope this helps.

 

[Wayne Wengert]

Thanks for the information.

Wayne