How do I get my Celeron Intel PC built-in microphone to work for the Skype test?

Hello! The advice I can give is to check the settings of your sound card. The microphone on Recording there has to be unmute and Playback mute so it can work properly.

Goodluck! :) 

Hi Scot,

Did you get your problem sorted out after following Nadya's advice?

I'm not the most knowledgeable computer person, but here is the only advice I can offer...

Firstly, do you know if your microphone works at all, or if the problem is just related to using it on Skype?

To find out if it is working at all, try the following:

Start > Control Panel > Sound, Speech and Audio Devices > Change sound scheme > Audio...

Then under the 'sound recording' tab, ensure you have the correct microphone selected.

To test that it is working, click the 'voice' tab > under 'voice recording' there should be an option to 'test hardware', which will launch a wizard which will help you test it to see if the microphone is working at all.

If it is not working, perhaps you can try re-installing the drivers for it.

If it is working through here, but still not working on Skype, then check your Skype settings...

On Skype:

Tools > Options > Audio settings...

There should be a drop down menu next to 'microphone', select the microphone that you just tested during the steps above to ensure it is set to the correct one.

I don't know if that was helpful or not, but good luck and let us know how you go. (Failing everything, you should be able to pick up a cheap microphone and headset from a computer store for around $10 - $15).

Strength to everyone!

Amy

Hi Nadya,

Yeah, I've tried going through the settings in every possible configuration, but it's like Sammael says, "They don't know that they don't know" when it comes to computers and me. Like, I don't know what I don't know! Thanks for the suggestions, though.

Thanks, Amy -

I wouldn't have thought of all that on my own. I tried it but so far as I can see, everything looks okay on my screen, but no test succeeds. I did dial in for the Skype broadcast this afternoon, though, and heard the program. So the receiving side works fine, and that's a big advance from not even getting Skype on my other computer. It's just as well I don't say anything, anyway.

I had no trouble identifying with the technical difficulties of this particular broadcast with Edith and various other callers. We have technical-problem solidarity!

I invited a computer-programmer friend of mine over for brunch on Monday. The trouble is most likely me being here, knowing nothing. After tea and omlettes, my friend will quickly realize and fix this problem (so I fantasize, anyway).

I found the broadcast so overwhelmingly peaceful that I went into a kind of blissful trance/nap. What this means, I'm not sure. On an infinite path, I have a long way to go?

- Scot

Hey Scot,

Great you could make the Skype and listen in. Sounds like you have the right idea getting your computer programmer friend in to help :-) Hopefully the problem will be fixed in no time.

I am sure you could always pay him in the international Computer Tech curreny- Tim Tams and good coffee. ;-)

All the best,
Adam.

Hi Adam,

Yes, I am now as of this morning able to talk and Skype hears me.

After brunch (no coffee but President's Choice Chocolatey Chai tea) the friend looked around the back of the monitor and discovered that there was no cable connecting the microphone to the computer - you have to have a separate line just for the mic.

So I bought one yesterday and after plugging it into various holes, at last found the one that worked.

Thanks for the comments, everybody.

- Scot