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< Esato Forum Index > General discussions > General > Anyone got Skype? Having trouble setting mine up, can't get headset to work! Bookmark topic

I've just decided it's about time I tried skype. Someone had kindly sent me a spare headset/microphone thingy, so decided this morning to get it set up!

I've installed the software sucessfully, set up a user id, etc., but can't get the headset to work! In order to finish off setting up, I need to record a 10 second message or something, but the only microphone I have is on the headset and don't know how to get it working.

Are there any drivers I need to install for the headset? Hell, am I plugging them into the right places! There are three 3.5mm jacks on the front of my PC, coloured green, blue and red. One of the connectors on the headset is green, the other just black. If I plug the green connector into the green socket (which as a headphone symbol on it) it mutes the PC speakers. Plug in in the blue one (which says 'in' and what looks like a wireless symbol) nothing happens. I've plugged the black connector (for the mic?) in the bottom red connector (with what looks like a mic symbol on it) and don't think it's working.

I feel such a noob at the mo regarding this, I know precious little about setting this up!
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Posted: 2006-10-20 13:50:23
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It's probably to do with the way your sound card is set up in windows. Plug the green plug into the front green socket as you did (muting the speakers is normal, it's like plugging headphones into a home stereo) and the black plug into the mic socket (usually pink or red).

Then, open up your soundcard's control panel. This is usually found in the normal windows control panel, but for some types it can be found in the system tray or as a standalone program in 'all programs'.

Then, have a look around! Basically, you need to make sure that the sound card is set up for headphones and that the front microphone socket is enabled and not muted. I can't explain in detail because it varies greatly between manufacturers. Cheaper sound cards can cause a problem with skype in that if you have 5.1 sound enabled, you have to switch to 2 speaker set-up to use the microphone socket, hence the popularity of USB headsets and handsets!

Once you've done that, you can test the mic using windows sound recorder. when it's finally working, you just need to make sure that skype is using the 'primary sound device' for both speakers and mic.
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Posted: 2006-10-20 14:12:12
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Thanks for the advice cyco, i've had a play around and still can't get a peep out of the mic or the earphone of the headset. the sound plays fine over the speakers when the green connector is taken out, but mutes as soon as i plug it in, but no sound through the headset. it could be of course that the headset is knackered, but don't think it is!
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Posted: 2006-10-20 14:18:13
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Have you tried the headset in the rear connectors rather than front ones? To be honest, I'd get a cheap USB headset. Much less hassle!
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Posted: 2006-10-20 14:22:28
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Tried the rear connectors with no joy. Think I might see if I can get a cheap usb one as you suggest, this headset either doesn't work or as you say will be more trouble than it's worth! Will have to wait till payday as totally skint though
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Posted: 2006-10-20 14:46:13
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Hehe yeah!

I don't normally give up this quickly but headsets with mic and earphone sockets are a bloody nightmare. They either work straight away or not at all in my experience
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Posted: 2006-10-20 14:55:48
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Typical! At least this one didn't cost me anything, will have a search on ebay and get an idea of price. Shame really, means that although now my Skype software's set up, I can't use it as have no microphone whatsoever!
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Posted: 2006-10-20 15:31:31
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