Need to have audio input from microphone direct to speakers on a windows PC

Alternatively, if you don't have the volume icon next to the clock, you can go to Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, and then click Advanced...

Secret...Is that "Playback" or "Recording"? (Just out of my own curiosity.) David

Playback shows what is going to play back on your computer.  If the microphone is unmuted in recording but still muted under PLAYback then the microphone will not play out the speakers.

Ah...Got it....Thank you. David

Thanks for your input so far. When I look under volume options properties I see the device is a sigmatel Audio - and there is no line in option. There is volume control, wave, sw synth, and CD player. None are muted. Under recording there is stereo mix and microphone, again both are not muted. I still don't get to hear when I speak into the microphone. Any other ideas? The laptop is a dell latitude.

thanks

You double clicked the volume icon by the clock.  Then You clicked Options and Properties in the menu.  When you are looking at the Options, Properties Screen, and you have the dot next to Playback selected, there are only 4 items listed in the box below that says "Show the following volume controls"?  If Mic is listed under Recording, it should also be available under Playback.  Put a check mark in all items listed here and click OK, so you can set volume and mute settings on all outputs.

The mic is only listed under recording, not under playback. Do you have a program open when getting the throughput of sound?

thanks

John

Thanks for all your input. I have and use Audacity already - isn't it great!
Your suggestion builds on Secrets, but still I have laready checked all these settings and do not get any output. If I use the wizard to set the recording and playback volumes, I can get throughput while doing the test, but that is it :)
I have tried on several laptops from Dell, same result.
I will try on a Desktop later and let you know how it goes.

thanks

John

Well, even with updated drivers from Dell I never got this to work. Maybe my hardware does not suppport it.
Anyway hopefully your responses will be helpful for someone else.

Hey Jhonny,
 Im surprised that you did not get it to work.. But id like you to try one more step.

>Firstly make sure that your speakers and the microphone are connected well.
>Now double click on the speaker icon in the system tray. You will get the volume control window.
>First goto the options (Top left) and click on properties. Make sure that the mixer device is selected as your sound card.
>Click on the option that says recording. Then click on "OK" .. make sure the volume is turned up for all options.
>Once again goto the Volume control window. Click on options > Properties and then select "Playback". Make sure all the options are checked. then click on OK.

>Important : You will now notice that the microphone is muted by default. Keep speaking into the microphone and then uncheck the microphone option. You WILL get sound from the speakers. Alternately you can turn on microphone boost if you have the advanced option selected.

Try this "step by step".. Good luck with your presentations.

Btw in most cases. You will have to use microphone boot in order for voice to be effective.

Goto the volume control window. Click on options. There you should see something called advanced. Click to check it. Now you should see the advanced button below the microphone option. Click on it. Then check the option for microphone boost. Make sure alternate microphone is unchecked.
 If you do not have the advanced option... then ur outta luck. Try blowing into the mic to see if you can pick up the sound of your breath.

^^^ Microhpne boost is very important.!!

Thanks Lance for your assistance. Still no luck! All these settings are currently in place.... or I am not able to follow your instructions :)

I've given up on this project now and am using external hardware.