There are two easy tests you can conduct.

 

You may log into Demo Center without a password, or need for a Ticket ID user name, and test the VoIP system. If you haven't done so, you can try this first by a "Click Here".

If that does not work, there may be something wrong with the settings in your computer.

To test your computer itself, click Start, then Programs, then Accessories, then Entertainment, then Sound Recorder. Make sure your headset or microphone and speakers are connected properly, then click the red button and speak. Click the black square to stop. Click the arrow that points to the right to play back. If you don't hear your voice, you need to correct something on your computer.

You can also check your volume control settings by double-clicking the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your screen (On your task bar beside your clock).

 

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While there are several different causes of echo, audio feedback is usually the most common. The easiest way to get rid of it is to use a headset (if you're not already doing so).

Feedback occurs when the audio from your speakers loops backs through your microphone. Think of it this way: everything you hear coming out of your speakers your microphone hears as well. So when the person at the other end of the line speaks, their voice (which comes through your speakers) is picked up by your microphone and looped back to them via the Internet.

When you use a headset, the voice of the person you are talking with is trapped between the speakers and your ears, so it has less of a chance of being picked up by your microphone. If you do not have a headset, try using a pair of headphones in place of your speakers (even those from your portable CD player or "Walkman" will work well).

Also, double click on the speaker icon on your Windows taskbar. Under "Options" select "Properties." Click on "Recording". If they are not already selected, make sure that every box is checked, i.e. Master, Wave, Synthesis, Compact Disc, etc. and click "OK."

After clicking OK you will see the controls for each of your audio components. Make sure that "Mute" is selected for each of your audio components except "Line In" and "Microphone." This will disable all audio components except the microphone. If after clicking OK, you do not have the option of selecting "Mute" for the inputs listed above, "Master," "Compact Disc," etc. but instead have the option to select certain inputs, make sure that "Microphone" is selected. This will enable your microphone.

Check the microphone setting on the computer to make sure that it is working well. If you are using a Windows operating system: look under the Start Menu/ Programs/ Accessories/ Entertainment/ Sound Recorder. Opening up this document will allow you to record with your microphone to judge how well it works.

 

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Check the speaker volume control on your computer and make sure that is not muted. A red circle with a slash through the center appears over the speaker icon when it is muted. To un-mute the speaker, double-click the speaker icon. If the speaker is muted, a checkmark appears in the box next to the word "mute". Uncheck this box. Your speaker is no longer muted. Of course, make sure your speakers are plugged into the correct socket on your computer, that they are turned on, and that they are plugged into power.

 

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The easiest way to control the volume is to adjust the microphone volume control on the Conference Center window up or down. If that doesn't provide good volume, try the following suggestions.

There are several ways to check the performance of your microphone.

First, you can test to see if your microphone is working by recording a short message in the Windows Sound Recorder program. You can find it under "Start," "Programs," "Accessories," "Multi Media" or "Entertainment," "Sound Recorder." Simply hit the red button, talk into the microphone, and then hit the play button. If you don't hear anything, there is a problem with your microphone.

Also, if people on the other end say they can barely hear you, try adjusting your computer's microphone settings.

On your taskbar, right click on the icon of an audio speaker and select "Open Volume Controls." Under the "Options" settings, select "Advanced Controls", select "Properties" and then highlight "Recording." Click "OK." The window will change to your Microphone settings. Make sure the Microphone Volume Settings are set to the highest level. In addition, click on "Advanced" at the bottom of the Microphone controls. Select the "Microphone Boost" and click "Close", doing this will help amplify the volume of your microphone.

If your microphone has worked with other voice recording applications such as Microsoft NetMeeting, it is because these programs automatically adjust your default settings. Our program is designed to be very small for quicker downloads, so it may require you to initially adjust your settings manually.

 

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This is probably a "lost packet" problem or something having to do with your computer's resources. The Conference Center sends and receives information over the Internet in the form of "data packets." If too many packets are lost during the voice transfer, the voice may freeze and you may need to close and reopen the Conference Center.

 

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When using Conference Center, most users experience unprecedented sound quality. However, some users may experience sound quality similar to that of mobile phone call. The quality of your call is dependent on a number of factors, some of which may be within your control, and others that are the result of your Internet connection.

1) Close Other Programs that you may also have running on your computer.

This is especially helpful for those with older computers or if you maximize your RAM's capacity with lots of open programs. Having other programs open while trying to use Conference Center may result in breakup or gaps in the voice quality, especially programs such as Microsoft Outlook that can consume much of the bandwidth of your Internet connection. Closing unnecessary programs can help improve the quality of your call.

2) Use Good Quality Speakers and Microphone when speaking.

Problems with sound quality are most often related to your microphone and speakers and your PC sound card.

The Conference Center requires use of a microphone and speakers. The best setup is a headset with a microphone. Headsets enable the best quality sound and eliminate any echo you or the person you're calling might be hearing. In the meantime, if you don't have a headset, we recommend you at least use a regular pair of headphones - those from any portable CD player or "Walkman" will do just fine - in place of your speakers.

3) Be sure to use the fastest Internet Connection/Speed you have available.

The speed of your Internet connection is one of the most important factors in the quality of your call, and having a fast connection to the Internet helps yield or provides better voice quality when using Conference Center. We generally recommend you have at least a 56.6k dial-up Internet connection. However, faster hi-speed, always-on Internet connections like Cable Internet and DSL connections will offer you the best quality possible.

NOTE: Your actual Internet connection speed can vary will using Conference Center, depending on how your Internet Service Provider (ISP) handles heavy traffic. For example, a 56k modem will often connect at a speed below 56k. Unfortunately, many ISP's significantly oversubscribe their capacity assuming that there will always be times when various numbers of them will not be logged on. You may want to try placing calls at "off-peak" times to see if heavy Internet traffic is causing your problem. Peak usage is usually in the evening. Your ISP needs to have a high quality connection to the Internet. If you encounter problems with slow downloading or if you have difficulty listening to real time streaming audio, such as Real Audio, you may also encounter break-up or gaps in your call.

4) Try to minimize transferring other data over the Internet while using Conference Center.

Checking or sending E-mail, accessing the Web or downloading files from the Internet can also affect the quality of your call. Again, the faster your Internet connection, the less likely these activities are to affect your call.

 

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To reset Conference Center to the original screen configuration, click on the File menu located in the top left corner of the screen, then select "Reset Screen to Default". You will see a pop-up window telling you the screen will return to default settings the next time you enter the Conference Center. Click "Okay" on this pop-up box, then exit the Conference Center, and re-enter. The screen will then reset to the original configuration when you enter again.

Hint: Do not reduce the sections so small that you cannot clearly see the edges, or it will become difficult to grab them with your mouse and resize them.

And, if over time and use, the sections bleed together or you find it difficult to grab the section's edges, simply select "Reset Screen to Default" in the File menu, and it will return to default setting the next time you enter the Conference Center.

Also, you can not grab and move an entire section, but you may "move" a section to a different location by "creatively" resizing each section until you get it in the desired location.

 

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Sometimes, you may choose a name that someone in the Conference Center is currently using and you will receive an "Alias In Use" Error Message. If you receive this message, simply choose or modify your name to be somewhat different, such as using your full name or adding an initial or a number to the end.

It is also possible that the Conference Center closed down and did not completely release your alias. You can solve this the same way, by modifying your name slightly and re-entering the Conference Center. You may see a "ghost" of your original alias for a while, then it will disappear. The next time you enter the Conference Center, it will be available.

 

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Unfortunately, not at this time. However, while there are no current plans to offer a Macintosh-specific version, you can try running the "SoftPC" or "VirtualPC" products on your Macintosh. Macintosh users report good results, although we don't specifically support it.

 

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