Recording issue.

Hello
I am using Windows 7, Audacity 2.0.5 It was an exe file.
I was able to open Audacity on my desktop and then record some audio direct from an online source.
Lately I had some major problems with my computer and as a result I had to re-install Windows 7.
Of course I then needed to re-install all my software, including Audacity.
Now that I have done this I find that I cannot record audio directly off line as I hear it.
Can anyone tell me what has changed.
Thank you.

If you reinstalled Windows you will need to reinstall the motherboard sound device. If you were using stereo mix or what U hear before, those choices may not be available without audio drivers matched with your motherboard.

So assuming it’s a branded computer, go to the web site of the computer manufacturer and download the Windows 7 drivers for your computer model. If you have 64-bit Windows 7, you need the 64-bit audio drivers.

After driver installation, reboot the computer.

Then go to Windows Sound and show and enable the device that enables recording of computer audio.

You can also choose Windows WASAPI host in Audacity’s Device Toolbar then the (loopback) recording device for the device you are recording. This has some advantage in that the capture is entirely digital (rather than converting to analogue for playback, then back to digital when Audacity receives it).


Gale

If you mean that you want to record sounds that are playing on your computer, try the WASAPI method described here: Audacity Manual

Ensure that your drivers are all up to date. If your computer is a branded PC or laptop, go to the manufacturer’s web site and download the most recent drivers for your operating system. Multi-track recording applications like Audacity are very dependent on the hardware drivers.