[bernd]

Hello,

I've just encountered a strange problem:

The sound recording functionality of windows stopped working, this may sound like a strange description but I don't know how to express it any better.

First and probably most important bit of information: If I unmute the microphone in the sound Playback settings I can hear myself perfectly fine.

BUT: It doesnt seem to matter which recording device I select within the Recording settings of the volume panel, nothing works, not even "what u hear" (although im having music playing right now).

Specs:
- windows xp prof 64bit edition
- creative audigy 2 ZS soundcard

I can guarantee I havent changed anything within windows from yesterday (when everything worked fine!) to today. The only thing that has changed, is that I have installed another 4GB of memory to my pre-existant 4GB. I doubt that this is the origin of the problem though, I can't possibly spot any connection.

Here is what I did today already AFTER realizing that there was a problem:

- reinstalled sound drivers (now using SBAX_PCDRV_LB_2_18_0011.exe )
- ran DirectX webupdate

Ok hm.. whatelse is there to say... oh, I used the following programs for testing: teamspeak2, ventrilo and windows' sndrec32.

I also went to control panel - sound and audio devices - voice - test hardware, which presents you an equalizer of the recording source. Even if I switched the recording source to "what u hear" (while playing music in windows that is!) the equalizer did now show up ANY activity. after clicking next then, it just tells me "the wizard could not complete because your voice was not detected".

another thing used for testing, as mentioned before, is ventrilo. VT has this nice option dialog, where you can test your settings. Mind you I haven't changed the settings and all of em are still correct (from what I know).

When you click "Monitor" there, the little box to the right will periodically display the volume of the recorded sound. If you were quiet it would usually display a bunch of "5" (due to background noise). Now, instead of numbers, it just says "N/A" over and over.

This whole situation has led me to believe, that the problem lies within windows / sound drivers in general and has nothing to do with my microphone or the tested applications.

Any help in this is GREATLY appreciated!

[Noyb]

Just a wild guess .. Turn the computer OFF ... and unplug the power cord.
Hold the ON switch depressed for several seconds .. like 20 or so ...
Then reconnect the power cord and reboot it.

I wonder if Audacity will work ??

And ... Welcome to the TSG forum.

[bernd]

hm i dont get any amplitude within audacity either.

im gonna try the switch thing soon, have to let something finish first that is not interruptible currently tho. but im interested technically, whats that gonna do?

oh and thanks for the welcome

[Noyb]

Originally Posted by bernd

whats that gonna do?

It's like a master reset of the computer.
The objective is to drain all power from the power supply ... and let it set for a few minutes.
And cross your fingers.

[bernd]

hm back, sadly that didnt change anything.

[Noyb]

I have no clue now.
Did you bump something loose while inside changing the RAM ??

If it were me ..
I'd boot to my backup Drive (a fresh install) and see if I could determine if this was a hardware or software problem.
I'm assuming you've been into the recording controls and have checked it's settings.

Hopefully, someone with a better idea will check in.

[bernd]

I've been checking ths loose hardware... thing in the meantime, pressing every into the notches and stuff, that didn't change anything either tho. the thing that keeps me wondering is, that this really sounds more like a windows issue than something hardware sided because its just the sound recording functionality of windows that's gone nuts... for whatever reason that is

[bernd]

Great news everyone [/professor_farnsworth],

I solved the issue.
Turns out those ********** creative drivers cant handle more than 4GB of ram! I've removed the newly installed ram, am now back to 4GB and everything works like a charm!

Now on to file a bugreport at Creative.... I don't believe it. This is just as retarded as Windows disabling Hibernation if you have 4GB of ram or more installed.

PS: going to mark this thread "solved" in a couple of hours, just wanted to give Noyb a chance to read it first, thanks for your effort tho!

[Noyb]

I thought about suggesting removing the RAM ... But couldn't imagine that it could be the problem.
Even if Solved ... This Topic will stay here.
That just notifies others that it doesn't need help.

Glad you figured it out.