Lenovo ThinkPad X260 - Any "secrets" regarding the microphone

[britechguy]

I have a client with a Lenovo ThinkPad X260 that appears to have a dead microphone.

I have already downloaded and reinstalled the Realtek audio drivers from Lenovo's website, and no dice there. All diagnostics show that all services are running and that the device is present.

My initial thought was that the microphone itself, or the cable to it, has broken. This laptop is definitely frequently used "on the road" and has been around the world and back multiple times.

The only reason I'm asking here is that once, when opening Sound settings for the recording device, I did get a single brief "flash" of green bars up the level indicator. Any time you try to do a mic setup, though, nothing can be picked up by it and you get the message stating same.

Just wondering if there might be some little-known issue that could potentially be fixed to bring it back to life? For the moment, an external USB microphone that's about the size of a flash drive is on its way. That may end up being the permanent solution, as it's really not cost effective to tear down a machine that's about 5 years old for this sort of repair.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Test in Linux. But most likely the mic is just broken. The bars are probably just static. The condenser is probably shorted so you get a brief bang from it on power-up and probably randomly that you haven't noticed.

 

[nlinecomputers]

That model has a combo microphone and webcam so you'll have to replace the whole module if it is bad.

Service Manual: https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/x260_hmm_en_sp40j47622_02.pdf

 

[nlinecomputers]

Lenovo part number look up. It works off the serial number so you get the correct parts to search the net for.

Lenovo Computer Parts | Genuine Replacement Parts | Lenovo Support US

support.lenovo.com

 

[britechguy]

@nlinecomputers

Thanks.

The camera works, according to the owner, it was just the audio that doesn't. If we eventually have a dead combo then the replacement of the camera/mic unit would probably be the next step.

 

[britechguy]

Well, not so fast, he's now saying that when he tried the webcam it's not working. I've asked him to email me the serial number so I can do a part lookup and give him an estimate for an actual repair. If that ends up being too rich for his blood then I'll give him a couple of suggestions for external usb webcam/mic combo units.

I still have one of mine from Logitech, I think, that dates from the era when webcams were just beginning to "become a thing" and many laptops and desktops didn't have one. This one was specifically geared to clip on to a laptop lid and be very portable. They may be harder to source now, though, than then since built-in webcams and microphones are now ubiquitous.