microphone volume problem during video conference

[Rabby]

Hi,

I'm using Windows XP and MSN Messenger 6.0. When I start a video
conference, the volume for my microphone starts out being okay -- the
other side can hear me, and the green bar moves properly -- but in a
few seconds, the green bar suddenly lurches to highest, and pushes
down the actual microphone volume. Through the feedback of the other
side, I could hear that there is loud static going through instead of
my voice. Then it remains like that, with the other side no longer
able to hear me.

I've recently built a new computer, and my old computer had no such
problems. I'm using an ABIT NF7 motherboard with the built-in sound
card now instead of SoundBlaster Pro like on my last computer. Could
that be the source of a problem?

This problem also does not emerge every time, though in the past 3
days, its occurred 9 out of 10 times I've tried ot use video
conference.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Trehed]

I've had the same problem and found it was caused by having my camera, which
has a built in microphone, too close to my CRT monitor. Having now moved it
I don't get any audio problems.

Hope this helps.

 

[Rabby]

I've had the same problem and found it was caused by having my camera, which
has a built in microphone, too close to my CRT monitor. Having now moved it
I don't get any audio problems.

Hope this helps.

Hmm. . . I'm using an LCD monitor though, so that's probably not the
case. I tried moving my microphone further from the speaker and the
monitor, but the situation was not alleviated.

I'm using a Logitech webcam, and a separate microphone on the headset
that I could rest on my shoulder and speak through. Then I have my
harman speakers by the monitor and have the acoustic echo thingy
turned on. Could the microphone be getting feedback with something
else?

The strange thing is that, I have the same setup with my previous
computer (identical speakers, monitor, webcam, and microphone) which
didn't experience this problem ever, that's why I'm suspecting it's
the motherboard's built-in sound card that's making funny business.

Thanks for the help. Might you have other suggestions?