how to tell if you have a real SB soundcard Options

[kel]

Greetings dragonati,

With a very probably dead microphone headset (its cables run over my office chair), I was trawlign these posts on the mike vs pod debate and came across the observation that this depended somewhat on whether you have a real SB soundcard or a mere SB chip. I specified a SB soundcard when this (yum cha) computer was ordered, but how can I if I have the real deal?
your humble neophyte awaits your wise responses with gratitude

[kel]

Sorry, to clarify my illiterate post:
Greetings dragonati,

With a very probably dead microphone headset (its cables have been run over by my office chair), I was trawling these posts on the "mike vs pod" debate and came across the observation that this depended somewhat on whether you have a real SB soundcard or a mere SB chip. I specified a SB soundcard when this (yum cha) computer was ordered, but how can I tell if I have the real deal?
your humble neophyte awaits your wise responses with gratitude

[jizan]

Hi Kel,
If your Soundcard input Mic. is out, this would be a good time to purchase a good quality USB headset. A USB headset does not use the soundcard at all and in a lot of cases increases speech quallity. Be sure to select USB Input when you run the audio setup wizard under Tools / Accuracy Center in DNS.

As for the SoundBlaser Card. Check it in the Control Panel / Sound System. If it is a true SB Card. It should say Sounblaster. A lot of Soundcards are SB Quality, which means it is suppose to be just as good.

Jim

[kel]

thanks guys. The problem was the microphone, as I have purchased a new Andrea and itworks just fine. Thanks Mark for the diagnosis: it must be a chip. Let this be a lesson to all with headset microphones -- don't let your chair run them over!