how to turn TP built-in micro back on

[Marin85]

Hi,

You guys have ever noticed that the Thinkpad built-in microphone is per default always on? Well, the other day my paranoia caught up with me, so I went to Control Panel -> Sound -> tab Recording and disabled it. Now, the problem is I can´t find any option how to enable it back Does anyone have any clue how to turn the built-in micro back on. It is actually quite useful...

Thanks and cheers,
Marin

[hunterman223]

Wouldn't it have been easier to just mute it? I am using Windows XP right now, but I think you can right-click the sound control panel, the part that lists your audio devices, and check show disabled devices. Then you can re-enable it.

[Marin85]

Wouldn't it have been easier to just mute it? I am using Windows XP right now, but I think you can right-click the sound control panel, the part that lists your audio devices, and check show disabled devices. Then you can re-enable it.

Yes, probably it would have been easier to just mute it (although, on a second thought, "disable" was just one click lol)... With right-clicking the sound control panel, I checked "Volume Control Options", "Playback Devices" and "Recoding Devices" and the micro is not listed anywhere (any more). Also, I can´t find any option suggesting "show disabled devices" or similar, and I can´t find it listed in Device Manager, either. That is ridiculous I am truly clueless...

[hunterman223]

Okay, I booted into Windows 7 now. To re-enable it, go to Control Panel -> Sound -> Playback Tab. Then right click on the white area of that screen, and check "Show Disabled Devices". After you enable it, then you can just mute it through the microphone properties.

Side note: Don't make the mistake of enabling "Mic Boost"! I did this and I almost went insane with all the clicking, popping and screeching. I would move my hand across the palmrest and there was a terrible, god-awful screech. Every key-press resulted in a sharp pop. The worst part was, I didn't realize I had enabled it!

[Marin85]

Thanks, great advice! I would have never assumed that I have to right-click in the white empty space Thanks again,

Marin

EDIT: Correct me if I am wrong, I can mute it from microphone properties -> levels, right?

[hunterman223]

EDIT: Correct me if I am wrong, I can mute it from microphone properties -> levels, right?

Yep, not in Windows 7 right now, but I believe that is how I mute it.

[Marin85]

Yes indeed, there it is. It is unfortunate (=poorly thought out) that one cannot add the built-in micro volume control to the volume tray icon in the taskbar as it is the case with speakers (I don´t know how it would be with an external micro though). I also noticed a "funny" thing that you can adjust the micro volume in skype, but windows will still show the microphone as muted... In fact, you can talk in skype and at the same time mute the microphone in windows and it won´t interrupt it. It seems that the windows microphone controls are not master ones, and I am not sure anymore if simply muting the microphone effectively does anything...

[hunterman223]

I have noticed the same thing, as I also use skype. I don't really worry about it, as the only thing I use the mic for is skype, but I can see how this might be a problem. It seems like plenty of other people are having the same problem. It seems strange that they would remove that functionality.

[loyukfai]

I wish I can do it... The microphone on my X61T went MIA...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=90551

[Marin85]

I wish I can do it... The microphone on my X61T went MIA...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=90551

After that very gentle hijack of yours I just have to tell you that your micro did not go MIA, it actually went CIA