Win7 & no "Line-In" recording device ALC1200 Audio Codec

[remmius]

Hi,

I am trying to start recording myself playing guitar thru Audacity with the Line-In on my computer with Windows 7 64bit. I have my latest sound card drivers installed (Realtek ALC1200 audio codec on a P6T motherboard). When I go into Edit -> Preferences -> Devices and look in the Recording -> Device drop down menu, there is no "Line-In" selection to be made. I currently don't have the cables to plug the guitar in, but I am wondering why I cannot select Line-In. Is this because there is nothing plugged into the port? Or is this a software/driver issue. I'll make a note that I've been into the control panel and enabled Line-In (Sounds -> Recording -> ticked show disabled devices, enabled Line-In).

I really am new at this stuff, I only just figured out how to record youtube/myspace etc. But lo and behold there's definately no Line-In choice to be made in that drop down box.

Does anyone have any idea what my course of action might be? The Line-In definately exists (blue port on the back, confirmed by reading the motherboard manual which states that it is definately a line-in and also the device exists in the 'sounds -> recording' configuration).

Really stumping me

Any help would be greatly appeciated. Excuse my idiocy if it's a simple solution.

Kind Regards
- Bryce

edit: I've tried running the program as "Administrator" and in Windows XP compatibility mode, still to no avail.

[remmius]

bump & update.

I am considering buying the Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Extreme Audio PCI-e 1x card to record on instead. Can anyone confirm that this card will actually record on Windows 7 with Audacity 1.3.x over the Line-In input? I have heard that the Line-In and the Microphone jack are shared on this card. Does anybody have experience with this and -know- that it works?

Any help will be rewarded with icecream and apple pie. Thanks for your time

[steve]

I am wondering why I cannot select Line-In. Is this because there is nothing plugged into the port? Or is this a software/driver issue.

Possibly yes and yes.

I've been into the control panel and enabled Line-In (Sounds -> Recording -> ticked show disabled devices, enabled Line-In).

Exactly what I was going to suggest.

When I go into Edit -> Preferences -> Devices and look in the Recording -> Device drop down menu, there is no "Line-In" selection to be made.

That may not be important. If you select Microsoft Sound Mapper then it should use whatever you have set as the default in the Windows Control Panel.

Can anyone confirm that this card will actually record on Windows 7 with Audacity 1.3.x over the Line-In input?

Sorry I've no direct experience of either this card or Win 7, but a lot of sound cards are still having problems on Windows 7. You would be best to check on the Creative web site to see if drivers specifically for Windows 7 are available (don't rely on Vista drivers working unless they specifically say that they do). Also, have a look on Google to see if there are reports of problems with this card.

If your primary interest is in using the sound card for recording/music making you may be better to buy a sound card that is aimed at musicians. The X-FI Extreme is primarily aimed at gamers and casual music/DVD playback. A report on the Creative Store website says that it does not support Stereo Mix.