BleepingComputer.com: Headphones Won't Work

I have a Toshiba with Vista laptop (about 1 1/2 - 2 years old) and just bought a pair of headphones (Dynex USB headphones with mic for about $25 at Best Buy), but when I plug them in, the sound continues to come out of the laptop speakers (RealTek, I believe) but will not come out of the headphones, nor does the microphone work (I am trying to start a new job and need Skype to do so).

I have tried:
- Going through Control Panel > Sound > Device Manager
- Using the tips and tools on Skype
- Double, triple (ok, checking 100 times) that it's plugged in to a working USB port and that the mute is not turned on
- Using the sound level screen

What I am seeing now in my toolbar is: a speaker icon with a red and white X beside it. When I hover there, it tells me the volume level and "Speakers 2-USB PnP Sound Device"

I really, really want this job but it is not going to happen if I can't get this sorted out.

I don't know anything about it but I found this:

http://tiredblogger.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/usb-headsets-and-vista-sp1-setting-the-default-sound-device/

Didn't help in my situation (it doesn't give me the option of setting headphone to default), but thanks

Can you return that headphone set?

Your Toshiba should have Headphone and Microphone jacks on it that take the same size plugs as on a desktop computer. On a desktop microphone is pink and headphone is green. Without knowing the exact model Toshiba I can not be more specific as to location and markings.

From here is a picture of what you should be using.
http://www.usr.com/support/9640/9640-files/9640-mac-install/index.htm

 image006a.jpg (13.36K)
Number of downloads: 1

This would avoid any problems such as you are having where the USB device becomes a second Sound card to the computer.

Good Luck

This post has been edited by rotor123: 31 December 2011 - 05:01 PM