Date Reviewed: January 20, 1998

Article ID: HDH98004

The information in this Help Desk Hint applies to:

• Windows 95

Summary

This Help Desk Hint addresses the finer details of volume control for both playback and recording, specifically the microphone.

Problem

There are actually three different things making sound on your computer: WAV (short sounds, voices, simple music) MIDI (long, involved music) and CDAUDIO (Music CD) Each of these has its own volume control. All three filter into the one generic volume control. If your WAV volume is muted or turned down, regardless of how high your main volume is, there will be little to no sound. The same applies to recording sounds with the microphone.

Solution

1. Click on Start, Shut Down, Restart Computer
2. Double Click on the little, yellow speaker next to the clock, this will make the full volume control appear.
3. Verify that there are no checkmarks next to the Mute settings
4. Verify that all of the volumes are about half way up.
5. If you wish to adjust the microphone, click on Options, Properties, Recording and OK. This will bring up the microphone control. Verify that it is also at least half way up if not almost all the way up. This makes it possible to record voices without the need to talk loudly.
6. When you are finished, Click on Options, Exit

Benefits

1. Some programs adjust these volume settings without your permission, this may explain why sound disappears after certain games.
2. Makes it easier to play music or audio files from programs for the entire class.
3. Makes it easier to record voices without needing to talk loudly.