dell-optiplex-760 | Thomas' Work Space

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2013/08/19 plagwitz Enter your password to view comments.

Categories: e-infrastructure, hardware Tags: dell-optiplex-760

Make life simpler in the language lab by disabling extra audio panels

2013/05/10 plagwitz Leave a comment

Problem: Having multiple audio panels enabled can led to too many options = sources of errors and confusion.
1. Software (e.g. Saba Centra) may defaults to different audio panels (front “Microphone” preferred over a “Rear Input” that can be used as a Microphone and is the preferred device in your lab (for security, safety and ergonomic reasons).
2. Students may make erroneous assumptions and try to reconfigure the PC audio by plugging cables into a different outlet.
3. ESP Panel software detects plugging in of devices and asks users to identify whether microphone or line-in device has been plugged into rear input which confuses our users even more.
Software configuration: On Dell Optiplex 760 under Windows 7 , you can
1. run mmsys.cpl,
2. go to tab:“recording” devices
3. to disable the front panel input microphone:
  1. select “microphone”(that is the front input)
  2. right-click and choose “disable”:
  3. result:
  4. right-=click and uncheck “show disabled devices”
4. to configure the “rear input”:
  1. select and click “properties”
  2. go to tab “custom” (may require having an add-on driver installed, consult the DELL driver update utility)
  3. check “use as microphone”
  4. check (optional, recommended): “microphone boost”
5. “Ok” out of all mmsys.cpl dialogues and (for good measure) restart computer.
Test your software configuration to work (listening, recording) with the applications used in your lab:
1. Sanako student recorder
2. Saba Centra
3. Audacity
4. Voicethread
5. Moodle: Audio and Kaltura (even though no webcam)
6. Etc.?
Hardware configuration
1. Plug your headset microphone and speaker into the rear audio panel. Tie the microphone cable down with a cable tie. Students have managed to pull the cable through the cable tie, so tie the cable into a knot around the cable tie to prevent that
2. Tape (plastic that student cannot push a plug through easily) over the front audio panel and put a label on top: “Do not use! Get help at desk!”. Instruct your help desk student staff.