Skype Setup Problems

**Scout333** · 02-23-2011, 10:17 PM

Hello, Wondered if anyone has this problem when trying to use Skype .

I have a Dell Inspiron 17" laptop with Windows 7. Having microphone problems. I can hear them. They can't hear me. Anyone who has had this problem and who has a fix for it? I guess I could buy an external mic but would rather use the internal one.

**Frixxxx** · 02-23-2011, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by Scout333

Hello, Wondered if anyone has this problem when trying to use Skype .

I have a Dell Inspiron 17" laptop with Windows 7. Having microphone problems. I can hear them. They can't hear me. Anyone who has had this problem and who has a fix for it? I guess I could buy an external mic but would rather use the internal one.

Does your microphone fail tests during sound check?

**ExtremeWX** · 02-23-2011, 11:55 PM

Go to the "Call" menu and select "Audio Settings" Make sure there is no "virtual" settings. If it can be fixed, it's likely in this section.
good luck.
Bryan

Originally Posted by Scout333

Hello, Wondered if anyone has this problem when trying to use Skype .

I have a Dell Inspiron 17" laptop with Windows 7. Having microphone problems. I can hear them. They can't hear me. Anyone who has had this problem and who has a fix for it? I guess I could buy an external mic but would rather use the internal one.

**Scout333** · 02-24-2011, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by ExtremeWX

Go to the "Call" menu and select "Audio Settings" Make sure there is no "virtual" settings. If it can be fixed, it's likely in this section.
good luck.
Bryan

Thanks everyone! I was able to get sound on both sides by selecting Microphone Array as my microphone setting. But there is still quite a bit of static. Any ideas? I remember seeing a microphone boost setting while going through the Control Panel Sound settings, etc. but I can't locate it now. Thought I might be able to adjust that up or down to improve the static problem. I understand that this is a common problem with Dell laptops with built-in microphones.

**Scout333** · 02-26-2011, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Scout333

Thanks everyone! I was able to get sound on both sides by selecting Microphone Array as my microphone setting. But there is still quite a bit of static. Any ideas? I remember seeing a microphone boost setting while going through the Control Panel Sound settings, etc. but I can't locate it now. Thought I might be able to adjust that up or down to improve the static problem. I understand that this is a common problem with Dell laptops with built-in microphones.

Located the microphone boost setting and adjusted it as suggested. No luck. Fixed my problem by buying a Logitech external microphone with a USB plugin that was Skype conpatible. Works great!

**burrocrat** · 02-26-2011, 11:47 PM

that's a nice ride you got there, i was looking to get the 15.6", do they measure that diagnonally? my current laptop is 12" horizontal 15" diagonal. the pictures on the website look like both 15.6 and 17 are wider than my current judging by the keyboard/touch pad location.

am i missing something? is there a noticable difference between i3 and i5 processors for the casual user? how much more crap can you put on a 3g HDD vs. the 4g one? same with ram. when is enough enough? i'm thinking the $500 by mail 15.6 i3 3gig 3ram model will work for me. unless the screen size is the same as i got now, i want a bigger screen, getting old and hate getting new glasses. 'bout $100 to upgrade to same system bigger window, is it worth it?

**Scout333** · 02-27-2011, 01:53 AM

Burro, I definitely think it is worth it for the bigger screen. Only thing it is much heavier so I don't travel with it much.

**PessOptimist** · 02-27-2011, 08:53 PM

Scout if having the onboard microphone work is REAL important to ya, I'll swap even for my 6 year old Latitude C600. Mic works fine with Skype.

The only serious suggestion I have is to look for an updated driver for your sound card. I remember reading about some codec probs.

PO

**burrocrat** · 02-27-2011, 09:05 PM

ok i did it, pushed the button this morning.

$600 - dell inspiron 17r, intel i3, 4g ram, 500g hdd,
+$90 - 3yr mcaffee security, corel photoshop, quicken deluxe,
+$90 - wireless printer
+$55 - carry case, mouse, surge outlet

$835 out of digital pocket, all shiny and brand new, should be here friday.

woo hoo!

**burrocrat** · 02-27-2011, 09:17 PM

i already have ms office 2007, but will put in a remedy ticket for the 2010 version for personal installation, about $25 i think, makes it a screamin ride for about $850 give or take a pack of smokes and a sixpack.

it was all just ones and zeros changed hands anyway, hardly ever see real money anymore, almost like pretend but they hold your feet to the fire if it don't all add up.

look out, you thought i was quick before, got me a hotrod now.

**Scout333** · 02-27-2011, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by PessOptimist

Scout if having the onboard microphone work is REAL important to ya, I'll swap even for my 6 year old Latitude C600. Mic works fine with Skype.

The only serious suggestion I have is to look for an updated driver for your sound card. I remember reading about some codec probs.

PO

Thanks Pess, Not THAT important. I will look into the updated driver for the sound card. Good Investing!

**Scout333** · 02-27-2011, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by burrocrat

ok i did it, pushed the button this morning.

$600 - dell inspiron 17r, intel i3, 4g ram, 500g hdd,
+$90 - 3yr mcaffee security, corel photoshop, quicken deluxe,
+$90 - wireless printer
+$55 - carry case, mouse, surge outlet

$835 out of digital pocket, all shiny and brand new, should be here friday.

woo hoo!

You'll love it! Did you you get the braking package? Goes so fast you need to back off sometimes. I went from an 8 yr old Dell desktop to the new Inspiron. Blazing! Sounds like you got a deal too!