Sound-Card Troubleshooting:

1. Hook up your headset to ANY known working sound source, e.g. iPod, other MP3 players, TV, radio, etc. Some device you know 100% the sound output works. Might not seem obvious but helps to determine if your headset is defective. This way, you can determine, if your headset is defective or the sound card.
   
2. Some headsets have a volume control and mic mute switch. If present, check that the volume control on your headset is turned all the way up and that the mic mute is off = mic is on. Be very careful when testing this, very loud noises can damage your hearing!
   
   
3. If you have speakers connected to your PC, test if they work first before testing the headset. If you can hear sound coming from them the headset should work as well. If not, refer to the Sound Mixer section in this help file. Go here: 2.2 Sound Mixer
   
4. If your speakers work fine on the PC and if you get clear audio from an external device (iPod etc.) on your headphones we established, that the sound output on your card and the headset itself are working fine.
5. Now hook up the headset connector to the same jack your speakers are connected to. If you do not have any speakers attached, it will be the GREEN connector.
6. Play some sounds/music while wearing the headset. Be careful! The sound could be VERY loud! If you still have no sound at all continue to the Sound Mixer section.
7. Now it's time to connect the microphone. Plug this in the red/pink connector on your sound card. (See soundcard picture above)
8. Are there any background applications running that might use the microphone exclusively?
   Examples: Skype, other VOIP apps or any audio recording application. If so, shut them down.
   Very important! Skype does not really shut down when you click on the close button! You still have to right click on the little Skype icon in you tray area (lower right corner of the Windows screen, next to the digital clock) and select QUIT.
   
   

All plugged in? Let's test it: Click on START > CONTROL PANEL (you might have to click on Settings first) > SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES > There, click on the tab labeled VOICE > Then, click on the button labeled test hardware to test your setup.

The wizard explains in detail what will happen and what is expected of you. If this fails, please call the manufacturer of your PC.