Fixing the Microphone on An X61T...?

[loyukfai]

Just discovered that the microphone has gone south. Tried it on Windows and Ubuntu but the result was the same. A spike does show up in the mixer whenever I plug in an external microphone but that's it.

By coincidence, the warranty has just expired.

So if anybody has fixed it him/herself before...? Is it a simple fix without exchanging the whole mainboard...?

Cheers.

[loyukfai]

Just discovered something strange.

If I plug-in the headphone into the microphone jack, then pull out a plug a little bit (just a click), like this...



Then the computer can pick-up some sound when I speak into the microphone, albeit not very clear.

I tried the same trick with the microphone, but it didn't seem to work.

It seems that the microphone has not entirely gone south, but the pick-up is very, very weak.

Any idea...?

Edit: I've already enabled Microphone Boost and turned the volume all the way up.

Edit 2: Is using this driver http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-73568 (6.10.2.7255)

[Marin85]

I am not sure I completely understand the problem. Are you referring to some built-in microphone in the ThinkPad or to external micrphones or to both of them? Which Windows are you using? In any case, it seems like the micro is under cover...

By coincidence, the warranty has just expired.

It´s not a coincidence, it´s a law.

[loyukfai]

Both the internal mic and external mic connected to the 3.5mm socket doesn't work.

Only USB-interface mic works.

Cheers.

[Utwig]

I had a problem with built-in mic on my X61T since it came from repairs, which I haven't noticed in a while (must have been using headphones). I downloaded service manual and took it apart and found out mic cable was unplugged from the motherboard. It is a white 4-pin socket close to bottom right corner near the bluetooth module and cable goes along right side of palmrest above the HDD plastic cover. External mic worked all this time without problems though.

In your case something might be physically wrong with jacks or built in microphone cable or something might be fried on the motherboard. The jacks are soldered onto the motherboard so in worst case you might have to replace it.

[loyukfai]

Thanks for the info. Finally took time to open up the machine last night. Found the cable plugged in. Re-plugged it in. Still the same.

Guess I'll do with a USB mic until the next machine.

Cheers.