02-12-2005, 02:15 PM

My girlfriend is in Norway for the semester, and to save on longdistance, we're going to try to use Skype. I have a headset (i.e. headphones+microphone) that I'm trying to use, but for some reason my PowerBook doesn't want to pick up any volume from my microphone! I know the mic works, because I just tried it on my roommate's PC laptop. I tried to go into the Sound section of the system preferences, but when I change it to line-in, it doesn't register any sound. The internal mic works fine, but it's annoying having it pick up all the background noise.
Any help is much appreciated.

02-12-2005, 02:38 PM

A PC soundcard has a microphone port that is different than line in. signal levels are different, plus a microphone port delivers power to the microphone, which it needs to work.
On recent Apples, there's no such port.
You have two choices:
- Buy an USB headset
- Buy the Griffin iMic. It gives you just the ports you need to connect your headset, and isn't too expensive either...

02-12-2005, 02:42 PM

hmm... that's slightly annoying.
Well, now I know. Thank you again, Avalon... this is like the 8th time you've come to my rescue.

02-12-2005, 05:43 PM

You're welcome... :cool:

02-13-2005, 07:16 AM

ehm, shouldnt the powerbook have a built in mic? i dont know , seeing as i dont own one, im have an imac g5 and it comes with a mic. but ye, get the USB headset if all else fails.

02-13-2005, 09:51 AM

I use my iBook's internal mike and regular headphones with skype - works like a treat.

You could also get a powered microphone that has a battery to provide a higher line-out signal that the powerbook can 'hear'.

But I'd seriously just plug in the headphone part of the headset and use the built-in mic...