Hello, everyone. I am a frequent Skype user. However, ran into a problem here tonight when I tried to call China. I have Vista(32 bit, Business) on both my laptop and desktop and the latest version of Skype(3.0.0.216). On my laptop, under Vista and the latest version of Skype, I did NOT experience any problems when making calls to landline or cell phone through Skype. On my desktop, however, I experienced problems--the microphone volume is TOO low! I did the Skype test call; Skype tells me that it is unable to pick up my voice and asks me to choose the right microphone. So I choose the right input device--a microphone, but the problem still persists! The mic volume is too low! I finally close Skype and relaunch it and does the Skype test call. This time I use the Skype test call, the mic volume is fine! But when I test it again, for a second time, the mic volume goes down again!!!!

What's happening here?

On my desktop, I have the Creative Audigy 2 Value sound card with the 2.1.2.0001 beta driver for this device for Vista(32bit, Business), dated Jan 12, 2007. And I also have the latest version of Skype (3.0.0.216). This seems to be an incompatibility between the beta driver for this sound card from Creative and the latest version of Skype, I think. Wonder if anyone else has experienced this problem??

I can use Skype fine on my laptop, but I have loaned it to a friend, so I am stuck, at least for tonight, with this problem!

(The sound card on my laptop--Fujitsu LifeBook A3040--is an integrated Realtek soundcard. Realtek has the final driver for Vista RTM build. And the latest version of Skype has worked PERFECTLY in that environment.)

Would like to know if anyone else has had this problem that I am describing here!

Note: I have searched the internet as well as this forum, but did not find any info regarding this issue. Also, I have set up the sound device correctly--both the playback and the recording. At least, I think I have set them up correctly!

TIA!

A small search should have shown you a known issue with VISTA and SKYPE where AGC or mike volume is being set too low.
There is NO quick fix for this, and SKYPE know the issue well.

"A small search should have shown you a known issue with VISTA and SKYPE where AGC or mike volume is being set too low."

That may be true. In fact, I did find some threads relating to this issue, but as you have pointed out below, there is NO resolution to the issue, right? So I have to ask!

Regarding searching/googling before I have posted, that is my enemies' favorite line! In other words, I do NOT know how to do research! I am a moron or retard! Oh man, I feel so bad!


"There is NO quick fix for this, and SKYPE know the issue well."

But how do you explain why in certain cases, the problem of mic volume being too low has not happened at all, then? Under XP, for instance, on both my laptop and my desktop, I have NEVER had this problem of mic's volume being too low! On my laptop, under Vista, the mic's volume is NOT abnormally low, either!

Have a nice day!

More info regarding my post:

I have since done some modification to the shared.xml under Skype per the info I have found on the web. I changed the mic volume in the shared.xml file to 90. But you know what? The figure, 90, is not steady; it changes or always drops close its defaults--8, 7, or 5. This happens AFTER I have finished the first Skype test call, which gives me a normal and clear recording. The second time I try the Skype test call, however, I could barely hear my voice! So I open the shared.xml file--lo and behold, the mic volume in that file has dropped to 8 or 7 or 5, close to its original default 8!

What's going on here??????

The latest version of Skype has worked FLAWLESSLY on my laptop under Vista. There is an integrated Realtek soundcard in that machine. Am dying to have that laptop from my friend tomorrow and find out the mic volume in the shared.xml on that machine!

Don't know if anyone can explain to me while the modified mic volume--say, 90--will not stay stable?

Note: I only appreciate friendly posts or replies.

With respect, what does your question have anything to do with my question?

I think it is common courtesy that you do NOT take over or hijack a thread/topic started by somebody else!

If you want to ask a question, the best way to do that is perhaps start your own thread?

What do you think?

What you describe is exactly the symptom/issue. and as I explained there is NO current fix. The info you found on shared XML/AGC settings is well known, but fails to work on some Vista set ups.

As I say SKYPE knows of this issue but the fix is not an easy one, so no release dates known.

Thanks very much for the reply! As I use Skype often, I need it to work smoothly. One thing I have to point out is that on the same machine where the mic volume problem has occurred, we are unable to make calls out--to another PC--via Windows Live Messenger, either! I have not tried this, but a friend of mine was trying to talk to his family in China via Windows Live Messenger, but could not get it to work. I did not think too much about it at the time. Now clued in by the mic volume problem, I think there MIGHT be a problem wiht the current, latest beta driver from Creative for Vista (32 bit)!

Once again, would like to hear if MORE people have had this problem, because Creative sound cards have a very big market share, and further a lot of people have the bugdet line of cards, Audigy or Audigy 2.

Another thing I should point out is that when I do the Skype test call for the SECOND time, when I bring up the volume and balance slider for the microphone, I could LITERALLY see the slider gradually or swiftly moving to the low volume end! In other words, I am witnessing a VERY graphical representation of a bug!

First time in my experience!!! LOL!!!

When I have my laptop back, will post back about the mic volume in the shared.xml file on that machine! Hope Skype and/or Creative can resolve this issue!

Thanks again for the reply!

I am an ardent Skype user. It is my tool for staying in touch with my family in China! Right now, it is close to the Chinese New Year. I need the Skype to work fine for me!

Thanks again!

I got this tip from another user, worth a try.
Apparently, Vista audio driver settings get corrupted and the combined LINE IN/Microphone port switches to LINE IN with the accompanying severe gain reduction.

Our fix was to uninstall all audio drivers, reboot and let Vista remount the audio drivers. In doing so, it will ask how you want to set the LINE IN/ Mic port.... Setting it to Mic, voila, all is well again and Skype works like a charm. The test bed was Vista Home and Skype 3.1.

Also, apparently, there is no direct way in Vista that we could find to reconfigure the LINE IN/Mic port correctly. Perhaps someone else can find it. For now, the above method to force the correct configuration works.

Let me know if others agree.

Melachrino and Master Commander

Why not try the 3.2 beta version from here it is supposed to support vista better.