How do I find a Recording Device Win 7 64bit Pro

chabala · 31 Jul 2012

Hi
Recently purchased a HP refurbished HP xw6400 Desktop upgraded to windows 7 Pro 64 bit 8 gig ram, 1tb hard-drive and everything works perfectly, except I cannot find a recording device, and from the general number of posts on Google I'm not the only one to have this problem.
This is the only problem, speakers work fine, webcam video works fine, just no microphone. Front or back jack
The unit is under 30 day warranty so I am loathe to change to much, I have no idea of the sound card fitted.
The HP site says I don't need any downloadable drivers,. I did try the HP 64bit Vista driver, but it failed.
I have tried all the remedies I found off the Google posts but none work.
I am pretty much a layman in computer terms, and this is my first windows 7.
I have tried two webcams out, both fail on this system, but work on my lads Vista system.
I wonder whether anyone has a solution, I am loathe to attempt to return the unit, it meets all my other expectations and more, besides I have a limited budget and as I will probably have this problem on another refurbishment it best to see if it can be resolved

fireberd · 31 Jul 2012

Desktops normally do not come with a microphone. You have to supply a "computer" microphone.

Web cams are a different issue. Is the PC not detecting them at all? (is the USB port you are using work with some other device)? or is it detecting them but no driver is found?
Some web cams are plug and play (meaning Windows has drivers or if your are on line can find drivers) and others require installing a driver FIRST and then connecting the unit.

chabala · 31 Jul 2012

Thanks for the reply Fireberd.
I finally solved the problem this evening. Like all problems it is easy when you know how. It is a separate mic.
I used the 64bit audio driver 64bit_Vista_Win7_Win8_R270 from realtek, I used the UK1 version. You have to be patient initially you think nothing is happening, then it takes over 20 minutes to download.
Run the C270 exe file, restart, then control panel, sound, and the mic (el al) is there. Then properties, change to microphone, adjust volume (initially set to zero), restart again and it works. You may need to adjust volume in user programs like Skype.
I spent hours on this problem, one has to ask, does it need to be this difficult. What made it difficult for me was the HP website saying for 64bit pro you dont need to download a driver at all. Once past that the solution is clear, find the right driver(s). Fooled the company that refurbished it too, they didn't have a clue