What happened? Cant use 1.3.X Record feature?

[worldavia]

I have Vista 32 Bit OS, on which I had been using Audacity 1.3 for over 6 months and loved the program. I am learning, so pardon me for not using technical jargon.
Today, when I tried recording my 'Voice' using Audacity record feature, I did not see any activity or sound waves. Instead, I noticed a "Red" pointer, at 0.0 position, which appeared to be 'stuck' (As if it got locked)
I tried couple of time to replay what I recorded, but I started getting this prompt:

"Latency correction settings has caused the recorded audio to be hidden before zero. Audacity has brought it back to start at zero. You may have to use the Time-Shift tool to drag the track to the right place".

Once again, I am not using any track here but simply trying to record my voice only. I have been doing podcasts using audacity for quite sometime, and never encountered any problems before. Just FYI, I use 'Logitech USB Headset' (with microphone) and have been recording my voice directly in audacity.

I tried downloading the older version, but I guess it is not compatible with Vista 32bit. Appreciate any help or suggestions, as I dont have other choices.

Regards
Rick

[bgravato]

Check if you haven't accidentally activated Sound Activated Recording in the Transport menu.

[worldavia]

Thank you 'bragavato'. It was checked and unchecked it. Now when I click on 'Record' I see pointer moving BUT it shows a 'straight line' instead of the sound waves that we usually see while recording. The playback function is normal and I can play the tracks. It is just the 'Record' feature that somehow I am not able to use anymore.
As Vista user I guess I dont have other option to download older version 1.2, so I am bit nervous how do I record. Appreciate any suggestion or advice.
Thank you

[bgravato]

Audacity 1.2.x is quite old and no longer developed, it's also quite unstable on Vista. The recommended version for Vista is 1.3.13.

You probably have the wrong device selected for recording. You can change it in the Preferences -> Devices -> Recording device (you can also activate the Devices toolbar in View -> Toolbars -> Device toolbar for a faster and easier way of accessing it). If you're using an usb device you should look for an option with "USB" on the device name.

[worldavia]

I have been using Logitech headset with microphone and that is what I have in the play/recording settings. It is just weird that until last week everything was fine and I was recording podcasts without any problem.Same version, same system. The only thing changed was MSN Messenger which I downloaded. Even for that my sound setting is Logitech's Headset. I will have to figure out, or most probably will end up buying another program.
Thanks for your help and patience.

Regards
Rick

[bgravato]

The only thing changed was MSN Messenger which I downloaded. Even for that my sound setting is Logitech's Headset.

Windows is known for doing some "enhancements" for voice chat programs, you might want to turn those enhancements in the control panel's advanced settings for the recording devices.

I'm not a windows user so I can't help much further on that... lets wait for one of the windows elders to pop-up and through some more ideas...

If it worked before there's no reason for not working again...

I will have to figure out, or most probably will end up buying another program.

BTW, Audacity is free software, you can get it for free from the official website here: http://audacityteam.org/download/

I recommend that you get the latest 1.3.13 version. It has several bug fixes over the previous versions.