Ever since I upgraded to win 7 I can't plug my microphone into the front of my computer. It simply doesn't recognize there is a jack there I think. It works fine in the back of my computer which I've just been switching back and forth between speakers and headset but I'm almost 7 months pregnant and am having trouble bending down all the time to switch it =p When I right click on the sound icon in the tray and go to recording devices it says Microphone is not plugged in, which it is, and if i click properties it only gives a rear jack option. I have a gateway pc w/ pentium processer and am using 32bit windows os if that matters. Any help is much appreciated, thanks!

Could be the contacts are corroded, might need to detach and reattach the front panel cable. I use a USB headset so I do not use the front panel audio as the headset is its own audio device. My MVP is for the Windows Desktop Experience, i.e. Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 IT Remote Assistance is available for a fee. I am best with C++ and I am learning C# using Visual Studio 2010 Developer | Windows IT | Chess | Economics | Hardcore Games | Vegan Advocate | PC Reviews

I have actually resolved this issue now. I went to my laptop manufacturers website and downloaded the audio driver compatible with windows 7 and now it recgonises the headphones, problem solved! And that is exactly why the first place anyone should go for support is to the manufacturer's website for the latest updates and drivers!Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

I have exactly the same problem, I just got a new work laptop only 3 weeks old so I doubt that anything is corroded yet, I only have a front heaphone jack and no back one so I can;t use the headphones at all at the moment, can anybody shed some light on this please?

I have exactly the same problem, I just got a new work laptop only 3 weeks old so I doubt that anything is corroded yet, I only have a front heaphone jack and no back one so I can;t use the headphones at all at the moment, can anybody shed some light on this please? Your new laptop price included a warranty by the manufacturer. Yo9u should use that warranty since you have paid for it. Also, the laptop manufacturer is required to provide you ALL the support for your system, including Windows 7. See info @ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/contact-support Microsoft is not responsible for warranty service nor support.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Hi Seuriu, I would suspect that it is the driver for the audio device, which is typically where the microphone input and headphone output are controlled. Please post the specifications on the audio device. Click Start=>type devmgmt.msc and select devmgmt from the results. This opens the device manager console. Now, click on the triangle for Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click on the sound device, select properties. There from the driver and details tab you can determine the device and drivers. If it is an older computer with a single core pentium, it may best to get a usb headset\microphone device. A Windows 7 driver may not be available for the audio device which would completely enable the front jack.

My work actually bought this laptop and gave it to me, I can take it back to my IT department but I thought I might be able to solve it myself with some online help. Nano warp's post below is interesting, it sounds like it could be the audio driver that is working properly and not recognising the headphones. In my devices - sound, video & game controllers it shows 5 nr. high definition audio devices. The laptop is a HP elitebook 8440p

I have actually resolved this issue now. I went to my laptop manufacturers website and downloaded the audio driver compatible with windows 7 and now it recgonises the headphones, problem solved!

Thank you for the replies, I found that if i keep my headset plugged into the back of the computer but I plug the speakers into the front they work and override the headset, so all I have to do to switch is unplug the speakers in the front! This is good enough for me! :D