Mic. cuts out after a few seconds. It's not the input device.

[satis5d]

Recently, my desktop computer (Dell Precision r3500) started acting up. While on a Skype call the microphone would suddenly go silent after a few seconds of use. I could temporarily fix the problem by muting the mic and then unmuting it which would give me another few seconds (anywhere from 3 to 20 seconds.) Naturally, I thought it was my Logitech Webcam which I've been using as my microphone for a few years now with no previous problems. But when I disconnected the webcam and plugged a microphone into the microphone port on the front of the computer, the problem manifested in exactly the same way.

I then tested the microphone on my laptop running the same Skype application and everything worked great with that machine. The problem isn't Skype, and it isn't the input device. I've checked the drivers and everything there seems to check out okay.

Anyone got a solution? Do I need to buy a cheap sound card? Would that fix this problem?

 

[fireberd]

I've seen web cams interfere with mic inputs (and on the Dell forums). But, that may not be your problem. First thought, do a "refresh" of the sound. Go to the Device Manager, RIGHT click on the entry for the either the Analog Devices ADI sound device entry or if you have an optional SoundBlaster sound card then uninstall that. DO NOT uninstall the drivers. Restart the PC and when Windows starts it will detect and reinstall the sound.

 

[fireberd]

After re-reading your post. I changed my mind. It is most likely not a sound card problem. The USB connected audio devices are already digital so there is no need for the PC's sound card to convert it to digital (for use by the PC). Thus, if the Webcam is disconnected and you still have the problem with the mic cutting out, the problem would appear to be an application issue.

Check the mic with some other program, such as the built in Windows sound recorder. If it works OK there that eliminates the sound card and puts it back to a Skype issue.