The system being Windows 7 Home Premium.
The Recording devices window shows Microphone and Line in. Right clicking in the window doesn't reveal anything else.
I have downloaded Realtek's latest software, but that has made no difference.
What else, if anything, can I do to install a Stereo mixer?
When you "right clicked", did you check both boxes to show disabled devices and disconnect devices?
With the specs you show, I suspect the sound is not Win 7 compatible. If you uninstall the Realtek and then reboot, does Windows install the generic "High Definition Audio"? If not that would also suggest the sound is not Win 7 compatible. Was this was a Win XP system originally??
Yes, I did.
I haven't tried that yet. I left it trying to reboot.If you uninstall the Realtek and then reboot, does Windows install the generic "High Definition Audio"?
Interesting that you should ask.Was this was a Win XP system originally??
It's got an unusual history. It has a Microsoft COA which says it originally had Vista Business OEM. an HP label saying it's Windows Vista downgraded to XP, and another Microsoft COA saying it's a refurbished PC.
It came with a Microsoft document giving various numbers and a warning not to lose the document.
Once I post this (I'm using my Windows 10 machine) I will go to the Windows 7 one to see if it has managed to wake up again. When it has I will uninstall the Realtek software and report.
Yes, now that Realtek is uninstalled, Windows' "High Definition Audio" is there.
I had three motherboards with Realtek onboard audio. The only way I was able to get "Stereo Mix" was to disable Realtek onboard audio in the BIOS, delete the Realtek drivers, and install a separate sound card (in my case, Diamond Xtreme 5.1 PCI).
There was a lot of "fuss" a few years ago over the use of "Stereo Mix" and "What you hear" inputs, the Media creators representatives were unhappy that high quality Digital copies of copyright music were too easy to create using these technologies - One of the results of these "discussions" was that some manufacturers of Sound Cards and motherboards removed the "Stereo Mix" and "What you hear" option from their software, this was not applied across the board, and not by the manufacturer's of the sound chips themselves - so it is possible that a driver direct from the manufacturer of the Chip will contain these options whilst one from the motherboard or sound card will not.
Along with what Nigel posted. Some vendors intentionally disabled the Stereo Mix (SoundBlaster calls it "What you hear") and there is no way to get it, even with the generic Realtek drivers. Its permanently disabled.
Along with installing a Win 7 compatible sound card that does have the function, I've seen posts that there are 3rd party software that will provide equivalent to Stereo Mix.
Another possible option for those with laptops, All-in One, slim line PCs, or simply those without an available port for a specialised Sound Card - Is one of the external USB connection sound devices which range from simple units for a few dollars, which often come with drivers that include the missing functions, (far east origin), to complex semi Pro units that would possibly be capable to do the Stereo Mix internally without relying on the PC at all.
Since Windows installed the High Definition Audio driver, that says its compatible and that more points to Stereo Mix being internally disabled.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
I spent the best part of an hour last night talking to a Microsoft agent on their "chat" facility. He had a poke round my system via the remote control - whatever it's called, and did no more than I had already done, i.e. confirmed that Stereo Mix wasn't available. He consulted something or someone and suggested that I contact the computer manufacturer for help. Yes, I can imagine the utility of that avenue.
The machine is an HP dc7900 miniature desktop. I'm sure that everything is on the motherboard, so I'm afraid that isn't an option.
By the way, your signature puts me in mind of Marshall McLuhan's "The Media Is The Message"
That's interesting.
That sounds good. I wonder, do you know any manufacturers' names or what these things are called?Another possible option for those with laptops, All-in One, slim line PCs, or simply those without an available port for a specialised Sound Card - Is one of the external USB connection sound devices which range from simple units for a few dollars, which often come with drivers that include the missing functions, (far east origin
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