I have an AJP Laptop with a ESS MAESTRO 2E PCI sound card. The driver is essm2e.sys. The speakers work O.K. but I only get a very faint sound using either the built in microphone or an aux.plug in mike.I have tried the sound tests and only get a small response on the green bar graph.(I have to shout to get any response at all) I have put all settings to max and tried re-installing the driver but all still the same. Do you think the mike input on the soundcard is faulty or can you suggest anything else I can try? Thanks.

Hi tonyfuller. Did you increase the microphone volume control or just the main sound volume? The microphone volume control is buried in the Properties menu of Sounds and Multimedia. Right click on the sound icon and click - Adjust Audio Properties. Or if the sound icon isn't visible - go to - Start - Settings - Control Panel - Sounds and Multimedia - Audio. Sound Recording - Volume Here you can set the volume of the microphone. Also click on the box next to - Select Then click - Advanced On the next menu at the bottom - Other Controls Checkmark - Microphone + 20db boost. Take care, Linda

HiTonyfuller; I have a similar Problem with my ME on my E-mach when I try to use the mic to talk to someone on AOL instant messenger. Here is what I have to do inorder to get it to work. 1. Open Control Panel 2. Click Sound & Mutimedia 3. Click the Voice tab 4.Click Voice test button 5. Click Next 6. Click Volume button 7. Click Advance button 8.Put in check mark in Mic boost. Now you can try to make sound recording using Sound recorder. Now mine works until I restart the computer. I have not found the cure for this problem yet. However at least I know how to make it work temporarly. (feel free to contact me if you wish to) Monty