Windows 7: Enabling stereo mix on windows 7

Hi, I'm wondering if that's possible. I've tried just about everything. Any recommendations?

Look this
How To Enable “Stereo Mix” in Windows 7 (to Record Audio) - How-To Geek
The same tutorial is here on SF
"What U Hear" Recording - Enable

I did that, but when I check those options nothing new comes up.

There are SOME drivers (and PC's from all vendors) that do not have this capability. A different/updated sound driver MAY take care of the problem. You didn't list your PC specs but if you have a Dell you may be out of luck, we have found, on the Dell users forum that non-Dell drivers either do not work or do not work correctly.

Oh, can you tell me what sound driver would be good? I'm sorry I forgot to list my PC specs. I made this post late at night and I was tired/frustrated. Here they are:

Operating System
MS Windows 7 32-bit
CPU
Intel Pentium T4200 @ 2.00GHz 68 °C
Penryn 45nm Technology
RAM
3.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 398MHz (6-6-6-18)
Motherboard
Wistron 3612 (CPU)
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor @ 1366x768
Mobile Intel(R) 45 Express Chipset Family (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM 1.1)
Mobile Intel(R) 45 Express Chipset Family (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM 1.1)
Hard Drives
313GB Seagate ST9320320AS ATA Device (SATA) 57 °C
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633M ATA Device
EVY WLQJWPE7 SCSI CdRom Device
Audio
Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221

Sound Cards
Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221
High Definition Audio Device
USB Audio Device

Playback Device
Headset Earphone (Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 )

Recording Device
Headset Microphone (Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 )

I researched this some time ago.

It isn't easy finding a card KNOWN to support stereo mix on Windows 7.

I am reasonably sure the Asus Xonar and HT Omega Striker support stereo mix. Do your own due diligence to confirm.

You can also get an external USB sound card for $30 or $40.

I'd be interested in hearing of any other cards guaranteed to support stereo mix on Windows 7.

How do you know that mine doesn't support it?

Looking over my response, I don't see where I made any comment on that issue. You can come to your own conclusions on that.

well according to Conexant High Definition SmartAudio 221 - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com this version of conexant high definition smart audio does not support stereo mix. I guess that means that some older versions had it. Is it a wise idea to downgrade to an older driver?

General advice:

Try old drivers, young drivers, middle-aged drivers, any and all drivers. Try to install them in normal mode, in compatibility mode, and in any other way possible.

Pound Google for more drivers and fixes.

You MAY I say MAY have success. After 10 minutes, 10 hours, or 10 days of fiddling.

If you get it to work, you are done and successful.

If you don't get it to work, you have to decide whether to continue to pound Google and exert more hours is worth your time when you cannot know if you will ever succeed. Maybe the pot of gold is waiting for you at the end of the rainbow.

And maybe not.

At some point, you may decide to give up and try another sound card.

If so, you can refer to the list in my first post or do your own research as to other sound cards that are known to work.

Sound recording on Windows 7 is just problematic. Period. As you are finding out.

Why is it problematic?? I don't think it is an accident. That's my opinion. I think it is deliberately difficult and I leave it to you to ponder why that might be.

It was very easy on XP and is now difficult. Why might that be? Hmmmmm......................