My MacBook's internal microphone input level is too low since update

Just wondering how this affected other apps like iChat or iMovie. You could try to record yourself speaking normally with the iSight and built in mic in iMovie, then reinstall Skype to see whether its causing a system wide deaf mic or if its just occurs while running Skype.

(I have the problem since upgrading to 10.4.8 and I also have Skype ver 2.0.0.6 installed. Havent tried uninstalling Skype.)

Ok, just a little update. No mic working today, moved Skype around and no difference. Deleted Skype and still not working. Just dragged it to the trash this time instead of using a third party app, maybe there are some bits and pieces left somewhere that I can't see with Spotlight.

Dear oh dear...

Btw, when there is no mic input nothing that needs the mic will work. No iMovie, no voice recognition, nothing.

I just thought of another possible way to get rid of the problem: it could be an issue with the actual update procedure, not with 10.4.8 as such. Maybe somebody around here with the mic problem could get hold of a 10.4.8 install DVD (maybe from a newer MacBook) and give that a try on his/her machine.

Thought I'd drop in to say my 2.0GHz MacBook (MA701LL/A) seems to be just fine. I haven't used iChat though, but Skype every day with no problems.

Good luck with the fix, hopefully it will be in the 10.4.9 update which I hear is coming soon.

Hi Henry,
I take it then that you didnt persuade Apple to give you a new motherboard yet?
Ronan

Deaf MacBook 1.83Ghz Dual Core Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1GB RAM upgrade (by Apple)

Hi All,
I have a Core Duo 2ghz Macbook and after installing 10.4.8 my internal mic is also dead. The meter in Sound prefs doesn't register anything. Has anyone gotten any acknowledgement from Apple regarding this problem? Crossing my fingers and hoping 10.4.9 will solve this dang prob..

In response to this post:

"....The meter in Sound prefs doesn't register anything. Has anyone gotten any acknowledgement from Apple regarding this problem? Crossing my fingers and hoping 10.4.9 will solve this......"

I have a similar problem on a new Macbook purchased 12/16/07. It came with 10.4.8 already installed. I was using iMovie HD when I encountered the problem. I haven't had the opportunity to try it in iChat, yet. None of my friends have a camera. Oddly, my microphone works when I first turn on the cpu and try it in iMovie HD. The mike quit after making changes to some transitions and another time after adding a music file. If I shut down and start over, it still doesn't work. But the next day when I startup and try the mike, it work... until I make changes, then it quits again. I tried everything I knew to do. Then I called AppleCare. The guy said no one else had called about this problem. So all you people with deaf macs, let's uncross our fingers, and start dialing and complaining to Apple and Applecare. Don't assume they know what's going on. Let's be sure they know. Then maybe they will include a fix in the next update, if it is indeed a software issue. My tech guy thought it was a hardware issue. But to be sure, it wasn't a software issue, he transferred me to the iApps Support. After checking everything he knew to check, that guy transferred me to a product specialist. After 2 hours on the phone with them and another 2 hours doing an Archive and Install, it looks like I'll be sending my MacBook in for the fix. 😟 !#$@*#@&!!
Does anyone have a new Macbook with a microphone that works reliably?


MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I have a week 20 Macbook running 10.4.8 and ichat is working fine.
The meter in system prefernces is registering normal levels.

Hi, I think I have the same problem here on a 2 week old macbook...

It was working when I first tried iChat, Skype & garageband, now a week later and no sound input. It came installed with 10.4.8, so i've not updated anything.

I have no input on the internal microphone, line in, and i've also tried a USB phone. At most 2 bars of volume on the preference pane, but I can't hear anything I record so don't know if its working at all. As the USB audio is not working either I would guess it is software and not hardware.

I'm going to call support on monday as it was working when I got it.

Well, I finally got fed up with this and took it to my local Apple shop. They instantly grasped there was a problem (unlike the Indian guys) and are going to replace the mic cable.

I just hope that nothing else gets dislodged when they do this and I end up discovering something else doesn't work afterwards!

Will keep you posted. Btw, a few of you guys seem to be having the same problem with a similar late 2006 build. Maybe there was some QA issues with some of their builds?

MacBook 2.0 Core2Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Has anyone tried using the mic with bootcamp?
I've tried with XP through parallels but its still dead, I don't have bootcamp installed to try it.

One thing I have noticed it when I move the lid, the blue signal bar jumps around a little - so it could be a loose mic. (just would not explain why line-in & my usb mic don't work)



MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8) Core 2 Duo 2GHz / 2GB

I spoke to apple care yesterday - they seem to think it is a problem with the cable and told me to take it to an Apple store to get it fixed. But as it's 200 miles away they suggested I try a re-install of osx first to rule out a software problem for sure, so I'm going to do this when I get chance.

NewlyMacced - Did you get you mic cable replaced & did it fix it?

Sorry to hear that the nearest store is 200 miles away, almost makes it easier to send it in instead...

They're still in the process of replacing the internal cable, they had to order it in before starting work. Will hopefully have it back by the end of the week. Will let you know how it goes because what you describe sounds identical to the issue I was having - the mic volume bars jump when it picks up internal noise, for example running the slider up and down quickly whilst using the touchpad.

I do use Bootcamp and the sometimes works/sometimes doesn't performance was the same - I originally thought it was something to do with the Skype installation! As for the line-in mic, make sure you're using a mic with a preamp as a lot of people have had issues with this. The MacBook line-in isn't typically what you'd expect of a laptop line-in 😉




MacBook 2.0 Core2Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)