Vista - need help with audio

While I wait to hear back from Chris, I thought that I’d run something buy you guy's and girl's to see what you think about what I’ve discovered over the last two days. I went to Best Buy yesterday with my iPod and a 1/8 cable. I tried plugging the iPod into the microphone port to see if I could get any sound out of any of the laptop's with Vista Premium 32 bit. I tired all of the laptops from all of the manufacturers and came to the conclusion that it is not just my laptop that only has the two levels “Realtek HD Audio Output” and “PC Beep”. None of the laptops with Vista Premium 32 bit have anything more than just the two levels that I displayed on post 38. I also tried a few desktop’s running Vista Premium and they only had the two levels as well.

Interestingly enough, there were no laptops running Vista Ultimate 32 or 64 bit, but there was one Sony VGN-SZ750N/C (here is a link to that specific pc)
Sony - VAIO Laptop with Intel® Centrino® - Charcoal Black Carbon Fiber - VGN-SZ750N/C that was running Vista Business (32 bit I believe). I tried the same thing on this laptop as well, but there was one additional level “Microphone” under Speaker/Headphone Properties. I turned up the microphone level, fired up the iPod and voila, sound through the pc’s speakers! Here is a pic that I took with my camera-phone of that particular pc’s properties.

Now my question is, do you guys know that if I upgraded my Vista Premium to Ultimate 32 bit would I have these choices as well in my properties?

Hello mate..it Me, lol.
In short..no. You could have the Basic Vista and still not get the mic to work, or you may. It all comes down to the usual - Sound Drivers that are installed. It is those that run the sound hardware. If these are not properly installed, old versions or not correctly configured, then problems arise. It can also be a motherboard bios problem..could need updating.
I noticed from your link that the Sony has its own unique sound setup..the Sony Sound Reality..never heard of it. Thats probably why you got the mic to work.
Ive emailed you back BTW so we can get the ball rolling.

That does it! I'm back to blaming demons. Ever since people stopped believing demons possessed people, they've moved on to computers. The cause more trouble there, anyway.

If you're Catholic, talk to your parish priest about an exorcism.

On a more serious note, did you ever "Set Up" a microphone? Don't know why this never hit me before, but there's a chance that would bring that in (I have no idea. I never really looked before I did it.)

To do that, go to your sound spot and get to the point where you get the green bars next to your microphone. Click on the microphone, then click "Configure" in the lower left hand corner. That'll bring up a "Speech Recognition" window. Select "Set Up Microphone" and go from there. I'd recommend using a normal mic for that. Maybe it'll help.

Good idea on going to Best Buy and testing that out. If nothing else, it should make you feel better that it's not you. And it may provide someone on here with useful knowledge for helping.

Hi. Just an update on this. OK we remote connected and installed the new drivers and the mic is set up and working. What he really needs is an external sound card dedicated to instrument and mic playback, so I scanned the net for him and found the ideal puppy, in fact, I think I might get one for my guitar as well:

M-AUDIO - Fast Track USB - Record Guitar and Vocals on Your Computer—Complete with Effects

Luverly. Not too expensive for what it does and is Vista 32 compatible..I checked the driver downloads on the site.

Well, good deal. I was very much hoping that wouldn't be the end result (I like free solutions), but still, great stuff, Chris.

Unfortunately, it won't let me give you a scale boost, as I haven't spread it out enough since the last time I upped you (I have no idea when, but it seems like it takes forever. Pity that I tend to want to boost the same people all the time.)

I just wanted to thank all of you that have tried to help me out. I really appreciate what you guys have tried to do for me and if nothing else this has been a great learning experience.

hehe thats always great to know

Wait! Let's not be so blasé here. You got it to work? For real? HELP!!! Please. Everything you've discussed I've done myself and redid with the above posts. I need to be able to hear what's being recorded from my mic through my earphones. Not nearly for such a fun reason as a guitar but for work...eehhh.

I've already done the Best Buy trip myself!

I probably have the same Toshiba - Satellite A205, Visa Home Premium 32 bit with the Realtek sound card. I am pretty computer savvy and I have coded some small programs so please send out the instructions.

It think, if I followed the path correctly, Blood tried to reinstall the driver but on restart the old driver reinstalled itself. But it sounds like you were able to overcome that, am I correct? and with the new card installed it now works? You can unmute the mic?

Please lead on!

I've tried everything under the sun and nothing worked, I even paid for a Vista "Guru". I've since given up.

Nuts! I wonder what Chris meant by
>>OK we remote connected and installed the new drivers and the mic is set up and working.<<


I thought he was talking about working with you.

Have you gone to an external sound card?
Thanx