Microphone and output

[Guest]

I really hope someone can help me - I have bought a new headset with
microphone and it is driving me insane - I cannot get it to work.

I have a new computer running windows XP and the headset I have bought is
Plantronics - it has a microphone attached and I plug it into the microphone
jack at the front of my PC tower. I want to use the headset for video chat
in MSN messenger but the people I am talking to cannot hear me. I have
checked in the system tray at the volume and it is not muted but when I run
the check up in control panel - I can't hear myself back and the mic does not
seem to be recognised. It is picking up information from my TV which is a
USB in the back of the PC but I can't find how to change it or to locate my
headset.

Please can someone help?!

Thank you.

 

[LVTravel]

See if this helps.

Start the sound properties by either double clicking on the speaker icon in
the system tray or in Control Panel, double click on Sounds and Audio
Devices then click on Advanced under device volume.

You will get either Master Volume or Play Control. Under either click
Options and then Properties. Click on Recording radio button, make sure
there is a check mark in all the items and then OK. The recording control
will appear. Depending on the sound device you have in the computer you may
see Stereo Mix but you will see Microphone. Place a check mark in the
Select box for Microphone and also make sure the volume slider is at the
top. If there is an advanced section under the select area, click it to see
what options are available, such as mic boost, selector, etc.

After this, try your microphone again. It should also work with Stereo Mix
selected but some systems are a little different in how they handle the
microphone input (I have a laptop that I can't use the onboard mic due to
hard drive noise being picked up on every access of the hard drive and I
have to mute the microphone (turn down the volume) whenever I am playing
music because the stereo mix mixes all inputs for the output. When I have
an external mic plugged in I have to turn the volume up.)

 

[Guest]

thanks for this LVTravel - I tried this but it didn't help because it still
seems to be getting the sound from my TV......any other ideas from anyone?