Cannot Monitor Recording with Compaq ESS ES688 Sound Chip

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you try to record a .wav file from an audio CD using the Compaq ESS ES688 integrated sound chip, the sound from the CD may stop playing while the recording is in progress. The sound does not return until you stop recording.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Monitor While Recording option is not turned on in the Mixer tool. By default, this option is turned off with the Compaq ESS ES688 AudioDrive.

RESOLUTION

Turn on the Monitor While Recording option in the Mixer tool. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to open the System.ini file. Verify that the line "drivers=msmixmgr.dll" exists in the [boot] section of the file. If the line does not exist, add it, save the file, and then restart your computer.

2. Start the Mixer tool by double-clicking the speaker icon on the taskbar.

3. On the Options menu, click Properties.

4. Click the Recording option, and verify that there is a check mark in the Recording Controls check box. If there is no check mark, click the Recording Controls check box to select it. Click OK.

5. On the Options menu, click Advanced Controls to display the advanced controls.

6. Click the Advanced button.

7. In the Other Controls section, click the Monitor While Recording check box to select it. Click OK.