feedback problem

[pacmang]

Hi, I recently bought a new computer custom build. The computer is a beast, everything runs fine, except theres a feedback problem. When I use ventrilo etc, and hold down my mic button everyone hears what I hear echoed really loud.
Even if I don't have a mic plugged in and I hold the mic button down it gives feedback.
I tried getting some new audio drivers for the motherboard, didn't seem to help at all.
The mother board is a Asus P5N-E nForce 650i SLI Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard
I have tried basic stuff like checking if its muted in volume control, getting new drivers, changing ventrilo settings(its not just ventrilo where it gives feedback).
If you guys know anything I could try, or any way to fix it, that'd be much appreciated.
Else I'll probably just buy a new soundcard ><
ty in advance xD

 

[akhilles]

Probably software misconfiguration. Try default settings & disable 3D & the like effects. Ah, there's a noise suppression & echo cancel-out under microphone tab in the sound properties. Try those. Don't put the mike too close to the speakers.

 

[aziraphale]

Get a USB headset - problem solved.

But I remember the problem; can be solved with one checkbox-tick somewhere in sounds and settings...

 

[truromeo4juliet]

man you guys are lazy...

"don't put the mike too close to the speakers" - it occurs even when his mic is disconnected

"get a usb headset - problem solved" - no... this occurs even when his current mic is disconnected

the feedback is probably being caused by your Volume Control settings, as akhilles hinted with "probably software misconfiguration" and aziraphale pointed you towards with 'checkbox-tick somewhere in sounds and settings"

the problem is PROBABLY going to be solved by:
1.) opening the Volume Control (double-click the gray speaker icon near your system clock)
2.) Options
3.) Properties
4.) "Adjust Volume for" - RECORDING
5.) "Show the following volume controls" - (ALL CHECKED)
6.) Click "OK"
7.) You'll have choices like Line-In, WAV, "What U Hear", SPDIF-IN, Microphone, etc etc... (this will vary depending on the capabilities of your sound card)
8.) Select "Microphone" (check the box that says "Select" below it)
9.) Close the Recording Control (the window you've been in)
10.) Test it...

the feedback occurs when your source is set to "WAV" or "WHAT U HEAR" because your computer takes the sound source you've selected (WAV, WHAT U HEAR) and it takes the existing feed and pushes it through to whatever destination, then picks up the magnified feed and sends it back through again... same principle with Microphone-based feedback...

This is what happens during feedback... the same signal is FED...BACK to the system and pushed back through... the feedback also increases at an exponential rate, and the fastest way to stop it is to kill the signal FROM the input (microphone usually) or kill the signal TO the output (speakers)

hence why when you stop trying to talk in Ventrilo, when you stop broadcast, the feedback and echo stops (you cut the source)... it's echoing because the source is set to "WAV" or "WHAT YOU HEAR" (which is anything that the computer would broadcast to you through YOUR speakers [including THEIR ventrilo broadcasts, if they're set to hands-free])... it picks up the source and says "hey, more sound!" and sends it through again... it reaches them, plays, THEIR microphone picks it up while on hands-free, sends it back for YOU TO HEAR, and your computer says "hey, more sound!" and sends it through AGAIN... it'll get progressively louder and louder, exponentially increasing in the strength of the sound, including all ambient/environmental noise picked up in the process...

In short, CHANGE YOUR SOUND SOURCE USING STEPS 1-10 ABOVE LOL