Microphone volume too low on Windows Messenger. Mic on Sound Recorder works OK.

I found my answer for Skype anyway. Skype is now LOUD AND CLEAR. The complete message thread to solve this problem can be found at:

http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=25582&sid=ba229d954463af8e071482ca31952446

In case this link gets busted some day, what you have to do is this:

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BEFORE STARTING THESE INSTRUCTIONS YOU MUST TURN OFF THE "Automating Sound Adjustment" in Skype (Tools/Options/Sound Devices: Uncheck the check box) The close Skype, then click on the Skype icon in the System tray, and click Quit. If you don't do this, then these instructions will NOT work.
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1) Using Windows File Explorer navigate to :

C:\Documents & Settings\{your user name}\Application Data\Skype\{your Skype user name}\

2) Inside this folder you must have "reveal hidden files" switched ON
(See your Windows Help on how to do this.

3) Locate the file called Config.xml, and open it using Notepad
(XML are always text files)

4) Using "Find" (or manually) Look for a line that contains MicVolume:

{Note, I can't show you the line, I can only describe it because the Dell Forum "Submit Post" function keeps parsing out the XML line as if it were an invalid HTML command. Description: The line will have two occurances of the word MicVolume. In each case there will be a "less than" and a "greater than" character before and after the word MicVolume. The "right most" occurance will also have a back slash just after the "less than" character. This is all normal. There will be a number in between the two occurances of MicVolume. That number is the "value". If that number is anything but 255, it's wrong}

In my case, the line was near the top (6th line down from top)

5) The line, in it's corrupt form may have a "value" of: 256 (or anything but 255)

6) You MUST CHANGE the value to 255

Note: 256 Is not a valid value for MicVolume. A value of 256 makes Skype confused about your mic volume and it ends up being VERY soft. Changing it to 255 will fix the problem.

I hope this helps everyone in the Dell Inspiron/Skype community! I LOVE MY DELL! I've had virtually no problems with it (minor, and none that were Dell's fault)

And SKYPE ROOLZ! (or is saying that too 80's -ish ?)

I found my answer for Skype anyway. Skype is now LOUD AND CLEAR. The complete message thread to solve this problem can be found at: http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=25582&sid=ba229d954463af8e071482ca31952446 In case this link gets busted some day, what you have to do is this: ------------------------------------- BEFORE STARTING THESE INSTRUCTIONS YOU MUST TURN OFF THE "Automating Sound Adjustment" in Skype (Tools/Options/Sound Devices: Uncheck the check box) The close Skype, then click on the Skype icon in the System tray, and click Quit. If you don't do this, then these instructions will NOT work. ------------------------------------ 1) Using Windows File Explorer navigate to : C:\Documents & Settings\{your user name}\Application Data\Skype\{your Skype user name}\ 2) Inside this folder you must have "reveal hidden files" switched ON (See your Windows Help on how to do this. 3) Locate the file called Config.xml, and open it using Notepad (XML are always text files) 4) Using "Find" (or manually) Look for a line that contains MicVolume: {Note, I can't show you the line, I can only describe it because the Dell Forum "Submit Post" function keeps parsing out the XML line as if it were an invalid HTML command. Description: The line will have two occurances of the word MicVolume. In each case there will be a "less than" and a "greater than" character before and after the word MicVolume. The "right most" occurance will also have a back slash just after the "less than" character. This is all normal. There will be a number in between the two occurances of MicVolume. That number is the "value". If that number is anything but 255, it's wrong} In my case, the line was near the top (6th line down from top) 5) The line, in it's corrupt form may have a "value" of: 256 (or anything but 255) 6) You MUST CHANGE the value to 255 Note: 256 Is not a valid value for MicVolume. A value of 256 makes Skype confused about your mic volume and it ends up being VERY soft. Changing it to 255 will fix the problem. I hope this helps everyone in the Dell Inspiron/Skype community! I LOVE MY DELL! I've had virtually no problems with it (minor, and none that were Dell's fault) And SKYPE ROOLZ! (or is saying that too 80's -ish ?)

Next thing to check is your mic "boost":

Start/Control Panel/Sounds & Audio devices

Audio tab, Sound recording group box, Volumne, Microphone group box, ensure the "Select" box is CHECKED, "Advanced" button, 1 Microphone Boost must be CHECKED.