For Windows XP, follow these steps to test the computer's sound hardware, including microphone and speakers:

1. Determine, from the User's Guide, whether or not the computer has a built-in internal microphone. If not, then plug an external microphone into the microphone input jack.
   
   
2. Click Start, then All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, Volume Control.
   
   
3. In the Master Volume (Control) applet, click Options, then Properties.
   
   
4.  If it's not already selected, select Recording (under "Adjust volume for"), then click the OK button.
   
   
5. If it's not already checked, check the Select box for the microphone channel. Move the volume slider for the microphone to roughly the midway position.
   
   
6. Start the Windows Control Panel (Click Start, then Control Panel).
   
   
7.  Click the category "Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices".
   
   
8. Click the "Sounds and Audio Devices" icon.
   
   
9. Click the Voice tab.
   
   
10. Click the "Test hardware..." button.
    
    
11. In the Sound Hardware Test Wizard window, click the Next button. Wait a minuter or two for the wizard to complete tests of the internal sound hardware. When the Microphone Test window appears, speak into the microphone, or gently tap it. The Recording Volume indicator should move up and down in response to sound picked up by the microphone.
    
    [A Windows Security Alert may appear, stating that the "Run a DLL as an App" program is blocked, and ask if you wish to unblock it. It's not necessary to unblock it for the test to function correctly.]
    
    
12. Click the Next button to test the speakers using the microphone as the sound source. Speak into the microphone, or gently tap it. You should hear whatever sounds you make in the computer's speaker(s), after a brief delay. Both the Recording Volume and Playback Volume indicators should move up and down in response to sound picked up by the microphone.
    
    If you don't hear any sound from your computer's speakers, it may be because the computer's hardware volume control knob is turned down. Try moving the volume control as you speak into the microphone. Not all computer models include a hardware volume control. The User's Manual for your model will indicate whether or not a hardware volume control is present, and if so, where to find it.
    
    
13. Click the Next button when you have completed the speaker test, then click the Finish button to close the Sound Hardware Test Wizard.

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