Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

I own a T420, of which I'm quite happy with in most respects. I got exactly what I wanted spec wise, for a good price.

I cannot get the external audio to work. I have Linux Mint loaded on the mSATA SSD, of which I hardly ever use, and it couldn't detect the external audio connected. Windows 7 x64 is loaded on the HDD.

1) I have a TRRS splitter which splits it into separate stereo audio output and mono microphone input.
2) I do have one yellow icon in the Device Manager, which corresponds to "Base System Device" which turns out is most likely my SD card reader. I don't use it.
3) Software just fully updated via Windows Update and check for Lenovo System Update.
4) The microphone works.
5) The internal microphone works.
6) The "Multi-stream" option in SmartAudio control panel does recognize it and show it as an option in Windows' Recording control panel ONLY IF the microphone is disconnected. It shows it as being connected if it's physically disconnected; but promptly registers it as disconnected if it's plugged in. ???

Integrated TRRS jacks belong on smartphones and portable media players, not business grade laptops.

Anybody got anything to help me with?

People are complaining in my game (I should probably call it my 2nd job) that I sound like I'm speaking through a tin can with the internal microphone.

There are at least two different configurations of TRRS jacks. Perhaps the splitter you got is incompatible with whatever is used in the T420?

That would indeed be remarkable if it was so.

I'm listening to stereo audio just fine out of the splitter.

Perhaps I'll have to step out and get a dock for it.

The stereo output is usually the same between the two configurations. It is the mic configuration that differs (basically MIC and GROUND wires are switched).
http://blog.mklec.com/wp-content/upload ... andard.png

Fascinating. I have no explanation for this development other than to say there should only be one standard.

What do you suggest I do?

Well, you could try a smartphone headset (with integrated microphone).

I use a headset from a Sony Xperia Go (an Android smartphone) on my X220 and its microphone works. I'd suppose that it would work on the T420 as well.

It's also possible that your splitter's wiring is damaged, that's why the microphone doesn't work.