nonworking microphone

[ternanat]

My speakers work when I start up my computer but my microphone isn't working. When I run my drivers and utilities disc my microphone will work but my speakers go dead.  I can't get them to work at the same time.

[Geek-9pm]

I can't get them to work at the same time.

Welcome to CH.
That is normal. When recording the microphone on and the speakers are off.
Do you have a special need to monitor then sound while recording?

[ternanat]

Yes, I want to use Skype and talk to some friends using my computer camera, microphone and speakers. The mic. is in my monitor. It has a separate wire running out of the back of the monitor to the back of my PC. I did have both the mic. and the speakers functioning at the same time a couple of times, but recently nothing I try works. I want to hear what they are saying as well as talk to them.

[Geek-9pm]

Skype and programs like that take care of the speaker / microphone issue.

But if you suspect the mic is damaged, you can try the sound recorder and it will give you a visual of you voice level.

Also, in control panel there is some place to test the level of the microphone.

But Skype should already have done that.

Have you recently installed other programs that use the microphone?

[ternanat]

Skype will show me that the mic. or speakers are working or not working but it won't correct any problems with the mic. or speakers. I have used the control panel and test hardware wizard many many times. The mic. isn't damaged because it works fine when the speakers aren't working. My sound recorder isn't listed under Accessories/Entertainment so I can't check my mic. that way. How do I find my sound recorder if it isn't listed under Accessories/Entertainment? I tried a search and it came up with nothing. Of course even if I find the sound recorder and check the mic. that isn't going to solve my problem.

[Geek-9pm]

What OS do you have that does not have the sound recorder?

Anyway. you can use Audacitry. It  has power without bloat.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

If it does NOT read yur microphone, you need to check the recording settings in control panel.