Error While Opening Sound Device - Sony Laptop

[Reinman]

I have Audacity 1.2.6 on Windows Vista (Home). My laptop is a SONY VAIO VGN-CR320E.

The Error: Error while opening sound device. Please check the input device settings an the project sample rate.
PROBLEM: I cannot choose an input device, nor can I record. It does import and play, and I would assume export.

Any advice on what the problem could be?

I futzed around with the microphone in the Sound Area of Vista and enabled the micro phone, and got Audacity to start recording, but that seemed to turn on the external Mic and then records sound through that Mic via the speakers and thus I get a real low record sound.

My usual recording is direct from podcast sites, YouTube, news sites, etc. I fire up Audacity, click record, and viola, then export as MP3. I really cannot do this now.

Help!

Thank you.

Rein

[kozikowski]

Recording from the internet has become...interesting. Some versions of Vista make it difficult to record streaming content. Some laptops make it impossible without some serious software and system changes.

The desperation method is Total Recorder.

http://www.highcriteria.com/

Koz