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[Solved] XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 24. Jul 2013, 16:00
by cvgaviao
Hello.
I have a macbook pro running MacOSx 10.8.4 and I'm using VBox 4.2.16. I installed a XP and Win7 guest.

XP is using: Core Audio + ICH AC97
Win7 is using Core Audio + Intel HD Audio

The sound output is working perfectly but I can't find a way to use the internal microphone.

Could please someone help with that?

thanks in advance

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 24. Jul 2013, 17:53
by mpack
Try using "Line In" as the audio source inside the guest. I would also make sure every other input is muted, though that may not be necessary since AFAIK the line-in is the only input connected to anything.

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 24. Jul 2013, 20:23
by cvgaviao
mpack wrote:Try using "Line In" as the audio source inside the guest. I would also make sure every other input is muted, though that may not be necessary since AFAIK the line-in is the only input connected to anything.
Well, for XP I could do that. selected the "Line In" and I ensure it was not muted. but didn't worked.

And for Win7, there is only the "Microphone (High Definition Audio Device" in the Recording tab of Sound window. I could see it at the Volume Mixer panel too. But when I try to configure it at the "Microphone Setup Wizard" nothing happens, no sound is being captured. :cry:

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 24. Jul 2013, 21:36
by loukingjr
I'm not sure what the issue might be but I just checked and the microphone is working in my Windows 7 guest and I didn't have to do anything. I just tried speech recognition and it worked fine. check to make sure the microphone isn't muted in the host and guest. make sure the microphone volume is high enough.

edit: I forgot, I did choose "Other" in the microphone setup wizard.

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 24. Jul 2013, 22:09
by cvgaviao
loukingjr wrote:I'm not sure what the issue might be but I just checked and the microphone is working in my Windows 7 guest and I didn't have to do anything. I just tried speech recognition and it worked fine. check to make sure the microphone isn't muted in the host and guest. make sure the microphone volume is high enough.

edit: I forgot, I did choose "Other" in the microphone setup wizard.
Well, in Macbook the input is working pretty well. I used the System Preference to put the input volume to higher possible value, my dog walking makes the level bar to move :). Btw, I didn't find any way to mute the input, so host is not the problem.
At Win 7, as you I did choose "Other" in the microphone setup wizard. but any move in the level bar... :cry:

Are you using a iMac or Macbook?

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 24. Jul 2013, 22:19
by loukingjr
cvgaviao wrote: Are you using a iMac or Macbook?
I'm on an iMac but I can't imagine that makes a difference. Try setting up speech recognition. maybe that will work. I launched a couple programs using voice. I didn't even know W7 could do that. shows you how often I use it. I assume you installed the guest additions and the extension pack.

edit: I assume you know you actually have to click on the icon in the microphone setup panel so it's highlighted.

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 24. Jul 2013, 22:48
by cvgaviao
loukingjr wrote: I'm on an iMac but I can't imagine that makes a difference. Try setting up speech recognition. maybe that will work. I launched a couple programs using voice. I didn't even know W7 could do that. shows you how often I use it. I assume you installed the guest additions and the extension pack.

edit: I assume you know you actually have to click on the icon in the microphone setup panel so it's highlighted.
The problem that I'm facing is exactly when trying setting up speech recognition. At the Sound panel I selected the "Microphone" default device (with a green check on it) and then selected "Configure Speech Recognition". I can't finish the setup because I can't finish the dictation phrase, the computer can't hear anything.

And Yes, I have installed the extension pack and guest additions...

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 24. Jul 2013, 23:27
by loukingjr
well, the only thing to check is the microphone input volume in the guest. I think it's under properties but I don't have the guest open at the moment. it is possible MacBook audio is set up differently but I don't have one to check.

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 25. Jul 2013, 00:38
by cvgaviao
loukingjr wrote:well, the only thing to check is the microphone input volume in the guest. I think it's under properties but I don't have the guest open at the moment. it is possible MacBook audio is set up differently but I don't have one to check.
Yep, the input volume is at "Microphone Properties" pane and "Levels" tab... mine is with 100.

Well, unfortunately seems to exist a difference between iMac and Macbook that the CoreAudio host driver is not dealing properly... :(

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 25. Jul 2013, 00:45
by loukingjr
I was just reading some info about microphones and VMs. It seems it's been an issue for quite awhile with MacBooks and various Virtualization programs. It's also been a problem on non-Apple hardware.

edit: one thing that works for everyone it seems is using an external mic.

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 25. Jul 2013, 03:49
by cvgaviao
loukingjr wrote:I was just reading some info about microphones and VMs. It seems it's been an issue for quite awhile with MacBooks and various Virtualization programs. It's also been a problem on non-Apple hardware.

edit: one thing that works for everyone it seems is using an external mic.
:D
After a long day trying everything I could found the problem...
Windows can work only with input rate at 44100Hz. As I saved quality music at Garage Band some time ago, my mac's input rate was set to 96000Hz.

So, what I had to do was to use the "Audio MIDI setup" application, select the the "Built-in Input" and set its Format combobox to 44100Hz and "2ch-24bit Integer".

thanks loukingjr and mpack for the help.

Re: [Solved] XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 25. Jul 2013, 04:18
by loukingjr
glad you got it working.

Re: XP/Win7 guest without microphone ?

Posted: 8. Jan 2014, 15:43
by im
cvgaviao wrote: Windows can work only with input rate at 44100Hz. As I saved quality music at Garage Band some time ago, my mac's input rate was set to 96000Hz.

So, what I had to do was to use the "Audio MIDI setup" application, select the the "Built-in Input" and set its Format combobox to 44100Hz and "2ch-24bit Integer".
Changing the input rate on my Audio MIDI setup worked like a champ on my MacBook Pro running 10.6.8 as host and running Windows XP+SP3 as guest under VirtualBox 4.2.16. Thanks for figuring this out!