Microphone Array Unresponsive

Question

Here I go again...

My System:

Reset system to factory couple days ago. Since then I have been unable to get my microphone array to function!

Not happy at all as I've done everything to remedy this.

Here's the sound properties box:

The issue I believe (know) lies somewhere within the Creative Technologies Software but I am unable to remedy following their support which is the same as the support relating to everyone's response I've read concerning microphone array issues such as mine. 

So... If anyone out there has my system make/model and has encountered this particular frustrating predicament and remedied it I would absolutely love to know how you did it. 

MJD

Answer 1

Hello MJ,

Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft community forum.

I would suggest you to try following methods and check if they are helpful.

Method 1:

I would suggest you to make sure that the microphone is plugged in to the right port, it is normally pink.

I would also suggest you to check the volume and boost levels in the device properties in recording devices. Please follow these steps.

a. Click Start and then click Control Panel.

b. Click Sound and then a new window will open.

c. Now, click on the Recording tab, right click in the window and click "Show Disabled devices".

d. Check if microphone is listed. If yes, right click on it and select P roperties.

e. After checking the volume and boost levels, check if the volume bar next to microphone move when you talk or tap it.

If the issue still exits, proceed to the next method.

Method 2:

I would suggest you to refer the section, “I'm having trouble getting a portable music player, microphone, or other audio device to work with my computer” in the given article and check if it helps:

Refer:

Tips for fixing common sound problems

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

Also refer:

Connect a microphone, music player, or other audio device to your computer

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Connect-a-microphone-music-player-or-other-audio-device-to-your-computer

If the issue still exits, proceed to the next method.

Method 3:

I would also suggest you to update latest audio drivers from this link:

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/alienware-m14x-r2/drivers

Hope this information is helpful. If the issue still persists, please post back for further assistance, we'll be glad to assist you.

Answer 2

Tried everything you suggested before I posted (hence the screenshots in my post). Like I said, it's definitely a Creative Labs issue. Only way to definitively remedy this matter is to restore to factory, and with 160 Gig's of data to back up then reinstall, well that's an all day affair. So if you or anyone else out there in the big "Blue Nowhere" know how to remedy this issue w/o resetting to factory, again, I'm all ears.

MJD

Answer 3

Hello MJ,

Thank you for you update on the issue.

I would request you to try the following modification in the registry settings to check if the Microphone is disabled from playback.

Important: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

STEPS to change the registry settings:

1. Click Start, type regedit in the Start search and press ENTER.
2. Trace the following registry location: 

*HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001\Control* {4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0005\Settings. 3. Check if the value of DisableMicFromPlayback is set to 1. If that is so, then, change it to 0and clickOK. 4. Close the registry editor and reboot your system. 5. Check if your are able to use the Microphone.

NOTE: Please carefully follow the article to backup and restore registry before trying the above step.

Hope this information is helpful. Please post back your results for further assistance.

Answer 4

Many thanks on the follow-up but I ran into a small discrepancy which follows below:

If you look closely you'll see that the 0005 and KS are highlighted in blue. The edit string is for KS, There is no settings per your instructions, only a propertiesbox that continuously informs me there is an error in opening and I don't have the privilege to open it even when I set the privileges to allow me access.

Here's a bit more info: 

<Removed PII>

Answer 5

Thank you for your quick and informative response. Much appreciated!

As you are unable to locate the Registry location, I would suggest you looking for some more important files regarding your device driver installation components. Windows installs drivers using INF files. So, follow the underlying steps to check some relevant files:

1. Go to the location: C:\Windows\INF.
2. Check if you have these files in the folder:

usb.infwdmaudio.infwdma_usb.inf 3. If you have these files in the folder, then right click on the file and click Install.

Give a try to these steps and check if you are able to get your Mic working. Post back your results for further assistance.