Dell's Sorry History of Microphone/Soundcard Issue (Update)

On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:31:01 -0500, "Guess Who"
wrote:

It is the SAME exact card, except, the card I replaced it with is my RETAIL
version,

Retail verison, or exact same card but in a fancy retail
box? Just trying to be clear here, I am not interested in
whether it's called the same card, the issue is whether the
two cards are 100% identical- forget where they came from or
what they're called.


so there was no redetection required - same driver install. My card
records fine, Dell's does not.

If this is the case, then why have you not had Dell send
another card? Surely it was obvious enough that _IF_ the
two were identical and one doesn't work, the non-working one
is defective. That's a bit presumptious to "us" though, as
we don't have the two cards.




I never claimed to be an electronics expert, or recording engineer - but I
DO know about computers.

And just how, in your opinion, would a motherboard swap help me here? Many
people have this problem, and NONE that I have read about had this issue
resolved by replacing the motherboard, OR the soundcard.

I never suggested a motherboard swap would help.

Notan wrote:

Class_Action wrote:

snip

Holy ****, man. Your mother was right. You really *are* an irritant.

Bet your mommy loves you very special way.

Do you think you can untangle from her for a second and help out this
poster?

8/28/05)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...ssage.id=59966

There is no sound picked up from microphone (only when blowing
hard straight into the mic there is a slight reaction...)

(9/2/05)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...cending&page=2

I've also spent well above $3000 on a high end system (about 2
weeks old), which is virtually useless to me without a microphone.

I've spent over 30 hrs on this issue myself and with Dell support
who has done "the basic" walkthroughs over and over again. Several
times I've been promised that they'd "do more research on the
problem", and call me back which of course they never did...

So time to start all over again with a new phone call and a new
technician...

Well, to make a very long story short...my current status is they
say they'd dispatched a new soundcard

(9/8/05)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...cending&page=2

My Audigy 2ZS soundcard was replaced yesterday. Now the system
fuctions a little bit better than previously but still need max
volume and 20dB boost, to make it pick up normal speech.
The mic can still not be used properly in all its range...

(10/13/05)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...cending&page=3

Well, I just installed my second Audigy 2ZS replacement card (a
refurbished one, according to the package), and not surprisingly
the issue remains exactly the same...

I told the support that another replacment likely wouldn't help,
but what do they care.... He claimed he is not authorized to send
another type of soundcard (and did not want to put me in contact
with someone who was).

(11/3/05)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...ssage.id=61369

I'm still having the same issue. The Dell tech support (based in
India I guess) does not reply anymore on email (even though I
politely remind them).

I got a reply to call the usual support phone number
and want me to start all over again

Note:

While the two cards may appear to be identical, they 'may' not be.

In the past, Dell has sometimes used Dell 'OEM' versions of the Creative
sound cards. I don't remember the details but they were different enough
that you had to get the drivers from Dell and not Ceative.

I seem to remember that if you looked at the part number on the sound card,
then went to Creative's web site and tried to look it up, it wasn't included
in thier list.


"Guess Who" wrote in message
...
It is the SAME exact card, except, the card I replaced it with is my
RETAIL version, so there was no redetection required - same driver
install. My card records fine, Dell's does not.

I never claimed to be an electronics expert, or recording engineer - but I
DO know about computers.

And just how, in your opinion, would a motherboard swap help me here?
Many people have this problem, and NONE that I have read about had this
issue resolved by replacing the motherboard, OR the soundcard.


"kony" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 23:39:30 -0500, "Guess Who"
wrote:

I can attest to this. I have a 9100 with Audigy 2 ZS, and I too have to
SCREAM with the mic to my mouth to hear myself. I KNOW about computers,
and
build them, so I know what I am doing. I put my RETAIL SB Audigy 2 ZS in
the system, and the MIC input is FINE! How do you explain that?

If you can't figure out why the mic volume is low and
continue on talking with Dell about motherboard replacement,
I suggest that you do not know what you are doing in this
case. Very basic tools like a multimeter would go a long
way towards troubleshooting this.

If they are exactly the same card, AND you did not reinstall
or change any driver settings, AND WIndows did not re-PNP
the card, but just continued running as if the card had not
changed, AND you made no changes, just started recording,
(and I haven't left out some other detail- so far I have
only spend a few minutes on it, the system is not here) it
is an audio card malfunction. If any of the above was not
true, there are still those issues to examine. This is a
clear-cut process of elimination.



I contacted DELL, and of course, they sent a guy over with a new sound
card -- NO DIFFERENCE, and I even demonstrated the difference with the
DELL
Audigy and my retail Audigy 2, - made 2 files in Adobe Audition and
showed
the tech the noticeable difference in the wav representations, and he
commented on it.

Where all three cards exactly alike, visually? Same PCB,
etc?



Before he even got started I told him this was all a waste of time, and
when
he was done, he basically agreed with me. Next step will be a
motherboard
replacement, but I am not even going to bother. I've gone through too
many
stupid unrelated things for DELL to appease them, but I'm not going to do
it
anymore. They system is fine with my retail card, and I will leave it
in.

IF all of what you wrote is true, and you haven't left out
any relevant details, there is only one possible
resolution, a different sound card. WHY are you off on a
tangent discussing a motherboard replacement when all you
need is a sound card? No wonder you don't have working
sound, you need to clearly state the resolution to the
problem and if the tech can't see the logic you request
transfer to a supervisor.

Do you not know anyone on earth that has a PC so you can
check this sound card? There is not going to be a situation
where the card completely works except for mic input on one
motherboard, yet the same card's mic magically starts
working on another motherboard. Either the specific card is
bad, or it isn't. Either way, if all you need is mic input,
put down $9 on a sound card and be done with it already.

Dell's boards are unique because they have a connector for the front panel
headphone jack. However, every Dell SoundBlaster since around 2001 that I
have used has happily handled Creative's drivers. The last one that
wouldn't was a SoundBlaster Live Value Digital in a Dimension 8100 under
Windows Me.

Tom
"hdrdtd" wrote in message
...
Note:

While the two cards may appear to be identical, they 'may' not be.

In the past, Dell has sometimes used Dell 'OEM' versions of the Creative
sound cards. I don't remember the details but they were different enough
that you had to get the drivers from Dell and not Ceative.

I seem to remember that if you looked at the part number on the sound
card, then went to Creative's web site and tried to look it up, it wasn't
included in thier list.


"Guess Who" wrote in message
...
It is the SAME exact card, except, the card I replaced it with is my
RETAIL version, so there was no redetection required - same driver
install. My card records fine, Dell's does not.

I never claimed to be an electronics expert, or recording engineer - but
I DO know about computers.

And just how, in your opinion, would a motherboard swap help me here?
Many people have this problem, and NONE that I have read about had this
issue resolved by replacing the motherboard, OR the soundcard.


"kony" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 20 Nov 2005 23:39:30 -0500, "Guess Who"
wrote:

I can attest to this. I have a 9100 with Audigy 2 ZS, and I too have to
SCREAM with the mic to my mouth to hear myself. I KNOW about computers,
and
build them, so I know what I am doing. I put my RETAIL SB Audigy 2 ZS
in
the system, and the MIC input is FINE! How do you explain that?

If you can't figure out why the mic volume is low and
continue on talking with Dell about motherboard replacement,
I suggest that you do not know what you are doing in this
case. Very basic tools like a multimeter would go a long
way towards troubleshooting this.

If they are exactly the same card, AND you did not reinstall
or change any driver settings, AND WIndows did not re-PNP
the card, but just continued running as if the card had not
changed, AND you made no changes, just started recording,
(and I haven't left out some other detail- so far I have
only spend a few minutes on it, the system is not here) it
is an audio card malfunction. If any of the above was not
true, there are still those issues to examine. This is a
clear-cut process of elimination.



I contacted DELL, and of course, they sent a guy over with a new sound
card -- NO DIFFERENCE, and I even demonstrated the difference with the
DELL
Audigy and my retail Audigy 2, - made 2 files in Adobe Audition and
showed
the tech the noticeable difference in the wav representations, and he
commented on it.

Where all three cards exactly alike, visually? Same PCB,
etc?



Before he even got started I told him this was all a waste of time, and
when
he was done, he basically agreed with me. Next step will be a
motherboard
replacement, but I am not even going to bother. I've gone through too
many
stupid unrelated things for DELL to appease them, but I'm not going to
do it
anymore. They system is fine with my retail card, and I will leave it
in.

IF all of what you wrote is true, and you haven't left out
any relevant details, there is only one possible
resolution, a different sound card. WHY are you off on a
tangent discussing a motherboard replacement when all you
need is a sound card? No wonder you don't have working
sound, you need to clearly state the resolution to the
problem and if the tech can't see the logic you request
transfer to a supervisor.

Do you not know anyone on earth that has a PC so you can
check this sound card? There is not going to be a situation
where the card completely works except for mic input on one
motherboard, yet the same card's mic magically starts
working on another motherboard. Either the specific card is
bad, or it isn't. Either way, if all you need is mic input,
put down $9 on a sound card and be done with it already.

wrote:

Class_Action classactionlaw1 AT yahoo DOT com wrote:

Bubbamike wrote:

Class_Action classactionlaw1 AT yahoo DOT com wrote:

What a troll !!!

Yes, I think you meet the definition perfectly.

Did you read this, bubba ???!!!

Doesn't matter what you write, the way you are approaching the issue
here is so akin to trolling that to differentiate it from any other
form of trolling is next to impossible.

I am not 'approaching' the issue. I am exposing Dell.
Have trouble comprehending this, bubba?
..

MICROPHONE=POOP (12/10/1999)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...message.id=495

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WILL SOMEONE PLEASSSSEEEE TELL ME
HOW TO GET MY MIC TO RECORD?!?!
..

Low volume microphone problem -DELL OEM Audigy 2 ZS soundcard
(10/21/2005)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...ssage.id=61522

Apparently DELL conveniently chose to delete the thread of
all customers having the low volume microphone issue on their
newly shipped XPS Gen systems, entitled: Microphone Problems
Listing (10/14/05)

That is to me pretty much confirming the existence of the problem
but not taking the responsibility to address it. Shame on you!

Bubbamike wrote:

Class_Action classaction357 AT yahoo DOT com wrote:


Anyway go ahead with a class action suit. You'll wind up with a coupon
good for $50 off a Dell computer and the lawyers will make millions.

(Do you suppose Dell's lawyers also get paid by $50 coupon?)

Maybe it will stop Dell from jerking around the customers?

Live Value Soundcard: Mic record level too low (1/29/2002)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...ssage.id=21877

so i contacted Dell tech support they advised me to uninstall the
soundcard and reinstall it. I did that and it made no difference.

They told me to uninstall the windows sound recorder and
reinstall it, that made no difference either,

they told me to uninstall the whole of windows multimedia
I did that and it made no difference

Microphone - weak input, out of ideas... (8/29/05)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...ssage.id=60002

Dell tech support insisted I reformat my hard disk
and reinstall everything.

I am amazed (& frustrated) with the numerous "hoops" that Dell Tech
Support had me jump through over 12 days without ever admitting a
problem.

On Sat, 03 Dec 2005 04:01:52 -0700, Class_Action
wrote:

Bubbamike wrote:

Class_Action classaction357 AT yahoo DOT com wrote:


Anyway go ahead with a class action suit. You'll wind up with a coupon
good for $50 off a Dell computer and the lawyers will make millions.

(Do you suppose Dell's lawyers also get paid by $50 coupon?)

Maybe it will stop Dell from jerking around the customers?

Live Value Soundcard: Mic record level too low (1/29/2002)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...ssage.id=21877

so i contacted Dell tech support they advised me to uninstall the
soundcard and reinstall it. I did that and it made no difference.

They told me to uninstall the windows sound recorder and
reinstall it, that made no difference either,

they told me to uninstall the whole of windows multimedia
I did that and it made no difference

Microphone - weak input, out of ideas... (8/29/05)
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...ssage.id=60002

Dell tech support insisted I reformat my hard disk
and reinstall everything.

I am amazed (& frustrated) with the numerous "hoops" that Dell Tech
Support had me jump through over 12 days without ever admitting a
problem.
If you read the current posts in the Community Forums (the ones you
allege have been deleted) the problem has been solved. Download and
apply the latest drivers from Creative.

The mic on my Audigy in my XPS 600 works fine now.

Dave

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 03 Dec 2005 04:01:52 -0700, Class_Action
wrote:

If you read the current posts in the Community Forums (the ones you
allege have been deleted) the problem has been solved. Download and
apply the latest drivers from Creative.

The mic on my Audigy in my XPS 600 works fine now.

Dave

Oh no, you've ruined the Troll's day.

On Fri, 02 Dec 2005 15:15:13 -0700, Class_Action
wrote:


FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WILL SOMEONE PLEASSSSEEEE TELL ME
HOW TO GET MY MIC TO RECORD?!?!
.


Have you tried turning your speaker volume up some?

On Sat, 03 Dec 2005 04:01:52 -0700, Class_Action
wrote:


Dell tech support insisted I reformat my hard disk
and reinstall everything.

I am amazed (& frustrated) with the numerous "hoops" that Dell Tech
Support had me jump through over 12 days without ever admitting a
problem.

They were probably hoping you'd stop acting like a loon and
just follow their directions, so they kep repeating them.

Did you ever actually DO what they insisted?

When you initially bought the system, surely you tried it
out, made sure it was working? When it was new, Dell
would've probably issued you a credit for the sound card.

Did you even investigate enough to find out the difference
between the two sound chips on the Dell vs the retail card?
I suggested you look into these details earlier but you just
keep chasing your tail so no wonder you never get anywbere.