Mic WILL NOT work HELP!!!!!

[Guest]

Hi can anyone please help me??
I have windows XP and have just installed the speech recognition tab by
going through Word 2002. I did this because i have been trying to use my mic
for ages through MSN and Yahoo but it just wont work. It used to work but now
it wont, thats why i installed speech recognition in speech in control panel
but it hasent helped one bit!!
I have tryed unchecking and checking all the different boxes in all the
different sections i can think of and all the volumes for mic are turned up
and not muted, so i know its not that.
I ran a test in voice under sounds and audio devices and it came up with the
following message:-
"An error occured during Dirctplay voice setup. The error code is 0x80004005"
and then it says:-
"Windows cannot exucute DpvSetup.exe use add/remove programs in control
panel to install"

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN???? I went onto add/remove program but couldnt find
anything but then again i dont really know what im looking for!!

Can anyone please help me i am at my wits end!!

Thanks in advance,
Vicky. XXXXXX

 

[yabbadoo]

DPVSETUP.EXE is an XP system file, "Search" with correct spelling should
find it (mine's in the "system32" directory. When you've found it, double
click on it to run it.
Having run it - on your desktop (default setting, anyway) there should be an
icon for Sound Recorder (MS program).
Connect yr mic, start Sound Recorder, press the record button, chat a bit.
Stop and replay - if that doesn't work, post back.
Sincerely, Len

 

[Guest]

Hi Len,
Thanks so much for your advice but i tryed it and when i double clicked the
file it would not open. i tried to open all 3 files (search found 3?) but
none would open. I already have Sound recorder and that cant hear my voice
anyway. I found sound recorder in "all programs", "Accessories", "Sytem
Tools" and then under entertainment, Is this the right sound recorder you
mean? If it is it is not recording my voice at all. God this is so
frustrating!! Do u have any other clues??
Many Thanks
Vicky. X

 

[yabbadoo]

Vicky, for what it's worth - my motherboard (Asus) had the CMI8738 sound
chip on-board. Initially it worked for mic input, but then stopped. Tried
for months - downloading drivers, uninstalling/reinstalling - tried
contacting both Creative (chip mfr) and Asus - no help whatosever. Nor
could I get a working answer from this ng (unusual, but occasionally it
happens.)
I wanted to do something similar to you - add audio comments to Powerpoint
slides.

Solution - bought a separate Sound card. DELETED the references AC97 in
BIOS, installed the new sound card and drivers, prob solved. It now works
in both Sound Recorder and Speech recognition - this last is critically
important to run as it sets the mic input volume (before this, it was
"overloading" i.e, mic feedback distortion).

One peculiarity - probably with Asus m/b - the only reference to on-board
sound in the manual is this AC97, and removing it in BIOS did nothing to
prevent it being detected in "System". In order to avoid any potential
conflict, in Device Manager, CMI8738 is "disabled in this configuration".

One drawback - my OEM system has front panel headphone and mic sockets, as
well as two rear ones. Naturally these no longer work (because they're
connected to the motherboard, and the chip is disabled). The ones that now
work are the two new ones on the new sound card - frustratingly at the rear,
no way to patch to the front sockets (that I know of).

Whilst the cause of your problem may not be identical to mine, the overall
problem is. Your choice as to how to rectify, but it may save you many weeks
time/frustration if you just install a new sound card. They vary in price,
but for basic mic recording you don't need the most expensive. You will get
reasonable audio quality for CD's/videos too. If, however, you want
top-of-the-range multi-speaker surround sound, then it gets expensive - as
we say in UK, horses for courses - your choice as to which.

Do hope this helps - post back, please.
Sincerely, Len.

 

[Guest]

Hi Len,
Well i didnt really want to buy a new sound card as this computer is only a
year old and i cant see how the sound card would become damaged in such a
short time. In desperation i asked a friend to pop over a have a look at my
computer and he managed to reverse the problem dont ask me how but now my
speakers do not work and the mic does!!! Can u believe it? I know the mic
works because i ran audio wizard on yahoo and when i spoke into the mic the
indicator went up indicating i can speak into the mic but now i cant hear
any reply. God i feel like throwing this comp out the window sometimes!! Any
other thoughts or suggests less of taking a hammer to the damn thing lol !!
Thanks for your help,
Sincerely
Vicky

 

[yabbadoo]

Vicky, I don't think you have a sound card. Correct me if I'm wrong, you
have on-board sound chip? (one check is, where exactly are the mic and
speaker connections - assuming a tower case, are they going up the side, or
are they in a slot at the bottom end of the case, going across the back -
that's the layman's visual check, it can also be done technically in Device
Manager). Up the side means connected to motherboard, across in a slot means
you do have a sound card.

Re - speakers not working - can you play audio CD's in cd/dvd drive ?
If not, chances are
1/ you have the speaker lead in wrong jack socket - easy mistake (or not
switched on)
2/ there's a "mute" tick in the mixer control (right-click on volume control
icon to check this). Remove the tick, you have your speakers back.

Post back if either of these solves the problem, else -
New sound card not really expensive (about £25 in UK for reasonable
quality). I already gave the info you need to install it.

Sincerely, Len

 

[Guest]

Len,
Well to be honest im not exactly sure i brought the computer it said it had
everyhting on it. It was brand new and work perfectly until now. I think
everything is onboard. All i know is i put the mic in the pink hole and the
speakers next to it in the green hole they also have pictures underneath the
holes so i know they are in the right nes and i havent changed them- they
worked before but now dont. I dont know.
It wont play cd's and i have check in volume controls everything seems ok
there nothing is muted. I have Sigmatel Tel C-Audio if thats any help to you.
I have tryed updating drivers for this too and its says they are fine??
God knows
You??
Thank you so much
Vicky

 

[yabbadoo]

Vicky, please be kind to me - shorten your replies to little chunks rather
than one big paragraph - just had to re-read 3 times to fully understand
your reply (separated comments make easy reading - different thought,
different line).

Sorry about that. Not intending to be offensive or pedantic - I AM trying to
help, it's difficult at distance and not being able to see either the pc
itself, or any of the information screens. OK - here we go again ...

First priority is to get your speakers working "normally" (CD's to play). I
am assuming they are powered speakers, switched on, with a light showing on
the main speaker (or, there's a very faint mains "hum").

QUESTION - Does an audio CD play through Headphones? If YES ....

QUESTION - have you got both mic and headphone plugged in - if YES ...
unplug the headphone.
Do your speakers work now? (usually, plugging in headphone cuts out the
speakers).

If there's still no joy, let's cover one last thing. In "My Computer" - can
you see the CD drive (probably D: or E - if so, click on it - can you see
the CD content (tracks)?

I'll stop here, await your reply. I'm making an assumption that you are a
relative novice (I was too, once) so in the absence of anyone else helping
out, I'm taking it step by step at beginner level. All the above is a
logical procedure (nevertheless, sometimes it's the obvious which gets
overlooked). Depending on your answers, thers's more.

Sincerely, Len

 

[Bob I]

Get your friend to "pop over and have another look", as he obviously
changed/switched something.

 

[Guest]

Len,
Hi sorry about that- i'll try and make easier reading this time lol.

Ok well i had mic and speakers plugged in NOT headphones.
I plugged the headphones in but the jack for the headphones is on the front
of the speakers so again i couldnt hear anything. So i unplugged the
headphones and still cannot hear anything.

The speakers are power supplied with a green light on the front- the volume
is turned up and yes i can hear a mains "hum" i can also hear the mains "hum"
through the headphones when i plug them into the speakers but nothing else.

When i click on the CD drive in "My Computer" i can see the contents of the
Audio CD. When i click on a track MUSICMATCH Jukebox opens up and plays the
Song but i cannot hear anything.

Yes i am fairly novice but put it this way i know alot more than my
husband!! I am able to work my way around the computer its just all the
tecnical terms i am unsure with. I am sure the problem is nothing obvious
because i have looked at everything that could be looked at at my level. I
feel the problem lies deeper at some tecnical level beyond me.
Maybe im wrong, but in the meantime i am grateful to you for your help.

Sincerely, Vicky

 

[yabbadoo]

Not being able to see your pc - forgot about "headphone" jack on speakers -
never known that one to be used! Since the speakers don't (currently) work,
the headphone jack on the speakers won't work, either.

The headphone jack I want you to try is on the PC case itself - in fact
there's almost certainly more than one on the PC. It's the one at the back
that's of critical interest.

Most OEM PC cases have 2 headphone jacks. There's usually a twin-set (for
mic and headphone) on the front case. There's also a set of (usually) FIVE
jacks on the rear of the case - either across, in a line, or, going up in a
line. (and you still haven't answered earlier questions - I'll revert in a
minute).

The "five-in-a-line" are followed by a games controller D connector.
On Soundblaster card, the jacks are numbered 1 2 3 4 and 5, followed by a
games controller (D socket 15 pin)
In other words, no 1 is the jack socket closest to the side of the case
(furthest away from the D socket).

Assuming your set-up is same as mine - (all you have are a pair of stereo
speakers, not the enhanced multi-speaker set-up) then the only sockets you
are really interested in are sockets 3 and 4. 3 is the Mic socket, socket 4
is for EITHER speakers or headphones. Your PC set-up documentation should
confirm this.

It is socket (4) that I want you to test - on the back of the pc, headphones
please, then the speakers (whilst playing a CD of course)..

Yes, I know you've probably got mic and headphone sockets on the front case
too. However, it's the direct card connection I want you to test. If this
works, then we'll sort the front jacks as a separate issue - they are
separately wired.

Please answer open questions -
1/ Is it a tower case ?
2/ Are the "sound" connections across the case (parallel with the base) or
in a line up the side ?

By the way - are you in UK or US? For me, it's midnight - after posting this
I'm off to bed! Look out for you tomorrow. Bye for now,

Len.