Odd microphone issue

Hey everyone,

I recently purchased a W880CU (or Sager NP8850). It arrived in seemingly perfect condition and worked flawlessly out of the box.

However, my headset microphone has ceased to work. I use a Razer Piranha headset. Usually, I'd figure it was a driver issue or I'd simply got it muted by mistake.

But here's the odd thing; the headset works on other laptops, and I've verified that its unmuted and correctly plugged in on all the machines, including the nonfunctioning 8850. Not a headset problem then. I figure it must be a problem with the socket.

So, for testing purposes, I plug in another microphone; this time, a free-standing mic. It works fine, on all the laptops, including the 8850.

Confused, I plug in the headset again. It still doesn't work!

So, I appear to be left with a headset that works on all laptops *but* the one I just paid over 2000 dollars for, which is otherwise perfectly fine with a cheapy desktop microphone.

Needless to say I'm scratching my head here; is this a problem with the soundcard on the laptop? Why would it work with some microphones but not others, when I've verified they all work?

Thanks for any help; I'm contemplating sending the thing back.

 

Does the headset require batteries?

I've run into those issues a few years back with Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Of course, with any 'glitch' right out of the box, I would have sent it back before the battery had finished charging.

Good luck.

 

That's the thing, the problem occured halfway through a skype call.

Furthermore, the thing doesn't require batteries and *still* works on other laptops!

 

Yeah - time to do a return/exchange.

Sorry...

 

Ah, I thought as much.

Still puzzled as to why some microphones work with it though...

Thanks for the reply.

 

Lol...

Yeah, I'm like that too - why doesn't it work 'here'!?!?

Does the plug sit properly in the female connector? Is there anything blocking it from being fully inserted? Is it inserted too much?

Or, is this simply the design (impedence matching not optimal with the audio chip) or some other electrical/electronic issue?

Hope you figure it out to your satisfaction - but don't let the return period slip by either!

 

Well, the mic I tested it with that works correctly on the new laptop has the same impedance as the "faulty" one. The only difference is that the microphone that works has a gold-plated connector rather than a standard silvery one. I admit I don't really know why this would make such a difference, though?

 

Do you have anything like Deoxit to clean the plugs with?

If anything, the gold connector should be the 'better' one.

Hmmmm....

 

One theory I have is that an area of the sockets, inside the pc, is out of shape or not making the correct contact. But surely all jacks are the same size, so why would some work, but not others?

I fear this may be a mystery that'll never be solved!

PS: just to clarify, the older microphone that DOES work with new laptop is the one with the gold jack; the silver one is the headset that's not working. Sorry for my poor wording!

 

slept, no prob!

that's why I suggested to clean the plugs... I hoped that the gold-plated one was the one that worked!

If you don't have Deoxit - try toothpaste on a dry cloth (try polishing to a high shine) - if it works, you will need to protect the bare metal with a product like Deoxit or, keep a toothbrush and paste handy for your headphones.

 

Alas, no luck - I did as you suggested and I'm still having the same problem. Thanks for your continuing help.

 

I do, however, have a very faint buzzing sound when recording from the microphone now - but its barely audible.

 

Well, I've decided to send the thing back - thanks for your help, tiller; +rep to you.

 

u sent ur laptop back or ur microphone? But seriously , get a new pair of headset.