Internet Headsets + Phones (READ ONLY ARCHIVE)

[somafm]

I have a Logitech wired USB headset. Not sure of the model number, but it has always worked perfectly on Windows XP. I would like to upgrade to Vista 64 bit on a computer I am building (it will have 6GB of memory, and I want the OS to be able to address all that memory)... but after testing out the headset on a Vista 64bit machine that I already own, the headset has an echoing problem that has to do with the "sidetone" feature mentioned in Figure 3 on the sticky.

To fix this issue, I goto the sound properties, PLAYBACK tab, double click the headset, goto the Levels tab, and I mute the "headset microphone". This works PERFECTLY. But whenever I use an application that uses recording (sound recorder, ventrilo, etc..), this "sidetone" feature is turned back on and I can hear myself breathing, typing, etc in my speakers once again. I go back to the levels tab, and it shows the "headset microphone" still being muted... but if I UNMUTE it and MUTE it again... the problem is fixed again until I use another application that makes use of the microphone... then the echoing returns. If you read figure 3 in the sticky I linked above, you will see that this has nothing to do with the actually recording, so don't get confused with that.

Also, I tried to turn the volume all the way down to zero for this sidetone playback feature... and it almost fixes the problem... but apparently 0 doesn't actually mean 0... I can still barely hear my breathing, typing, etc.

So my question is: what can I do to fix this so it ALWAYS stays muted? It mutes it perfectly on Windows XP... and XP remembers the setting (say if I reboot). But Vista doesn't seem to do it so well. I have googled the problem, but have only run into people who can't get their headset/mic to work at all.

I am thinking this is more of a Vista problem... but if it is, it's pretty sad that it hasn't been fixed to this date. Also, the operating system is updated to the fullest (SP1, all the latest updates, etc) in case they were to release a fix. Or maybe there are alternate/third party drivers I could tr. I am using the Microsoft drivers that are automatically used when the device is plugged in.

Thanks for the help

[Mike_M]

Hi som,

I know that with Skype the sidetone feature can be added in by the application. I am sure you will find that the applications you are using have a way to adjust that feature or mute the sidetone altogether. Gotta love Windows...