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Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221 driver for Windows 7 Ultimate, 64 bit

Anonymous
2011-08-28T20:29:32+00:00

Hello,

Background:

I have a Toshiba Satellite M305-S4910. It evidently uses a Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221 driver for the built in speakers and microphone.

This system came with Windows Vista. I could never get Windows Visata backup to work so I installed Windows 7 Ultimate.

About three weeks ago I bought a Logitech Clear Chat Stereo headset (with microphone).  I wanted to use it with Skype, because the built in microphone for my laptop was picking up too much noise. I had to manually enable the microphone associated with the external jack to get the headset microphone to work. Afterwards, I noticed that I got terrible feedback when I unplugged the headset microphone. I worked with the headset plugged in for awhile, but I eventually found I could unplug it if I disabled the input jack under the audio microphone settings.

I contacted Toshiba and they suggested that I uninstall the audio driver and then reinstall it. I tried, but on boot, all that gets installed is some piece of garbage Microsoft driver that doesn't work with the Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221 microphone, at all.

I searched for a Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221 driver, but the web search suggests that Micosoft Windows 7 Ultimate doesn't allow the use of unsigned drivers.

My short question is:     How do I get the microphone built into my Toshiba Satellite M305-S4910 to work again?

My longer question is:  Why doesn't the 64 bit Windows 7 Ultimate Operating system handle the detection of an external microphone properly and adjust the software mixer settings, so the external microphone and headphone work  when plugged in and the external speakers and built in microphone are turned off? Also, when the external microphone (and/or headset) are removed, then why can't the OS detect that and switch back to the internal microphone, rather than producing a high pitched feedback?  Other Operating Systems and drivers handle this correctly.

Thanks,

Jim

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-23T20:30:53+00:00

    An old thread, i know, however this info may be useful for others experiencing this issue.

    I had issues with the "SmartAudio 221" microphone driver on my Toshiba Satellite with Vista 32bit. I wanted to use Skype in particular.

    This is a solution to the issue where there is hardly any microphone level.

    (both the built in mic and the mic jack)

    Goto Control Panel > Sounds > Recording Tab

    * Double click the microphone icon.

    (If there is no mic icon, then right click and Check "Show Disabled / Disconnected Devices", OK that then right click over mic icon and click "Enable")

    Goto Advanced Tab

    * Uncheck "Allow application to take exclusive control of this device"

    Click OK, then OK.

    It appears that Skype was auto adjusting the microphone level down to "3" for some reason.

    (So it may not be the actual driver that is at fault here?)

    In Skype

    Goto Tools > Options > Audio Settings

    * Uncheck "Automatically adjust microphone settings"

    then i manually set the mic level at about 75%, click OK

    I done a skype test call and it works perfectly again.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-08-29T12:38:38+00:00

    Hi,

    ·         What exactly happens when you try to install drivers?

    Method 1:

    The drivers for any hardware devices are provided by their respective hardware manufactures. You may try downloading Conexant Audio Driver for Windows 7 64 bit from the Toshiba support link and check if it helps.

    http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/modelContent.jsp?ct=DL&os=&category=&moid=2234109&rpn=PSMD8U&modelFilter=M305-S4910&selCategory=2756709&selFamily=1073768663

    Method 2:

    I would suggest you to try using the Playing Audio troubleshooter to fix the problem. Click on the link provided below.

    **http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-the-Playing-Audio-troubleshooter**

    Method 3:

    I would suggest you to follow the steps provided in the article below and check if it helps in resolving the issue:

    **http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/no-sound-in-Windows**

    Also refer to the link provided below:

    **http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Tips-for-fixing-common-sound-problems**

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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