Recording Devices Stop Working After One Use

[JohnJ]

Windows 7 Ultimate x64, presumably patched to date

I'm running a Dell Studio XPS 1640, and find that any plug-in microphones stop working after one use. I originally found this on the Mic/Line In jack, and worked with Dell on the issue. They replaced the motherboard once, and the sound daughtercard twice, and did not resolve the issue. I have tried re-installing device drivers, as well as deleting the device, rebooting, and letting Win7 restore it. Nothing has fixed the problem.

I eventually gave up on the mic jack, resigned myself to that not being a solution, and decided to get a USB headset. That worked great - once! Since then, that device no longer works either. These devices show up in the recording settings for sound, but they do not show any input. The Array mic works and shows input just fine. I've tried disabling the Array mic (the built-in mic in the laptop), but that doesn't make the headsets work.

Device driver that is installed and used for all of these is the IDT High Definition Audio CODEC, running version 6.10.0.6127, dated 6/29/09.

 

[fireberd]

I wonder if "letting Windows restore it" caused the problems. I do a lot of support on Dell, but mostly with desktops, however in many Dell's you must only use Dell provided sound drivers due to their custom implementations on a lot of models.

Go to the Device Manager, uninstall the IDT AND check the box to also uninstall the drivers. Restart the PC and when Windows starts it will find the hardware but DO NOT allow Windows to install any drivers. Then install the Dell IDT driver that you have listed.

To access the Device Manager, hold the Windows key down and press the Pause/Break Key. Device Manager can be accessed from the list in the upper left of the next Panel. In the Device Manager, RIGHT click on the entry for the IDT and then LEFT Click "Uninstall" (and check the box to uninstall the drivers). Restart the PC.