Troubleshooting Razer Headset

Timmie · 09-23-2009, 12:58 AM

I wasn't sure if the belonged in the Accessories forum, or this one, but it's more related to sound so I put it here.

To replace my current (working) headset, I bought this Razer Carcharias headset off eBay and the guy said it worked 100%. I got it, tested it on my PC, and it doesn't work. All I get from the mic is steady, quiet white noise. A refund is in the works, and I'll be keeping the headset, so I thought I'd see what you guys thought.

I fiddled with it for a good 45mins, including testing it on three PCs(One sound card, two onboard), with still no luck. The headset has one of those volume and mute boxes on the cable, so I held transmit and switched it to mute, then back to unmute. The white noise never ceased. With my other headset, I flip it to mute and the noise stops until I unmute.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts or troubleshooting suggestions. Thanks guys.

THERMAL-REACTOR · 09-23-2009, 02:41 AM

The only thing I can think of to try is to take the mic apart and cross the leads going to the mic. Make sure your volume is on low but you should get a crackling/poping noise when they are touched together. If that happens you know the wire is good and that the mic is bad. If you hear nothing than somewhere in the wire there is a problem (possibly at the control you explained)

Timmie · 09-23-2009, 06:07 PM

Another note: Although the mute switch on the controller doesn't do anything, when I unplug the headset, the white noise stops.

Also, are you saying I should take a wire and place it between the two, connecting them, or that I should unsolder the connections, then try them in reverse order?

TekkyNASekky · 09-23-2009, 06:15 PM

You could try Direct X Diagnostics by going to Start Menu/Run then type "dxdiag"

Timmie · 09-23-2009, 07:00 PM

I went through the different fields in there, and tested my sound device through dxdiag and it failed. I tried testing the mic with acceleration disabled and it still produced the same results. I've accepted that it's a hardware-related fault.

Once THERMAL-REACTOR gets back to me, I can run that test and I'll have further info after hopefully.

THERMAL-REACTOR · 09-23-2009, 07:04 PM

Yes, you can just use a peice of wire to cross the leads just before the mic and it will give the same results.

TekkyNASekky · 09-23-2009, 07:18 PM

Have you checked with the product's technical support:

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-carcharias/

Drewat17 · 09-23-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TekkyNASekky

Have you checked with the product's technical support:

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-carcharias/

If you get your money back you could see if the Manufacture will either repair or fix the problem.

Timmie · 09-23-2009, 07:54 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I won't be able to get warranty support without forging a fake sales receipt. While possible, I'm not going to do that. So, if I send it back, I'll be paying to have it repaired.

However, I will send an email to their support team and see if they have any further suggestions. Who knows, maybe they'll offer to repair it free anyway! (Yeah, right)

09-23-2009, 12:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Timmie Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indiana, USA Age: 19 Posts: 154	Troubleshooting Razer Headset I wasn't sure if the belonged in the Accessories forum, or this one, but it's more related to sound so I put it here. To replace my current (working) headset, I bought this Razer Carcharias headset off eBay and the guy said it worked 100%. I got it, tested it on my PC, and it doesn't work. All I get from the mic is steady, quiet white noise. A refund is in the works, and I'll be keeping the headset, so I thought I'd see what you guys thought. I fiddled with it for a good 45mins, including testing it on three PCs(One sound card, two onboard), with still no luck. The headset has one of those volume and mute boxes on the cable, so I held transmit and switched it to mute, then back to unmute. The white noise never ceased. With my other headset, I flip it to mute and the noise stops until I unmute. I'd really appreciate any thoughts or troubleshooting suggestions. Thanks guys. __________________ Intel Core2Quad Q8500 Coolermaster CM690 4gb OCZ Platinum DDR2 Sapphire HD4870 512mb Last edited by Timmie; 09-23-2009 at 01:18 AM.

09-23-2009, 02:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
THERMAL-REACTOR Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Niagara Falls, Canada Posts: 668	The only thing I can think of to try is to take the mic apart and cross the leads going to the mic. Make sure your volume is on low but you should get a crackling/poping noise when they are touched together. If that happens you know the wire is good and that the mic is bad. If you hear nothing than somewhere in the wire there is a problem (possibly at the control you explained) __________________ Intel Core i7 920 @ 4.2GHZ Asus P6T Deluxe 12Gb Patriot Viper DDR3 1600 Radeon HD4870X2 4 WD RE2 500GB (4 in Raid 0, 280mb/s read) Corsair HX1000W Antec 1200 Samsung 46" 1080P LCD PIC'S : THERMAL-REACTOR Last edited by THERMAL-REACTOR; 09-23-2009 at 05:34 AM.

09-23-2009, 06:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Timmie Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indiana, USA Age: 19 Posts: 154	Another note: Although the mute switch on the controller doesn't do anything, when I unplug the headset, the white noise stops. Also, are you saying I should take a wire and place it between the two, connecting them, or that I should unsolder the connections, then try them in reverse order? __________________ Intel Core2Quad Q8500 Coolermaster CM690 4gb OCZ Platinum DDR2 Sapphire HD4870 512mb

09-23-2009, 06:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
TekkyNASekky Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 40	You could try Direct X Diagnostics by going to Start Menu/Run then type "dxdiag" __________________ If you need a "tech in a sec" contact me at www.tekkynasekky.webs.com or check out my blogs at www.tekkynasekky.wordpress.com

09-23-2009, 07:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Timmie Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indiana, USA Age: 19 Posts: 154	I went through the different fields in there, and tested my sound device through dxdiag and it failed. I tried testing the mic with acceleration disabled and it still produced the same results. I've accepted that it's a hardware-related fault. Once THERMAL-REACTOR gets back to me, I can run that test and I'll have further info after hopefully. __________________ Intel Core2Quad Q8500 Coolermaster CM690 4gb OCZ Platinum DDR2 Sapphire HD4870 512mb

09-23-2009, 07:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
THERMAL-REACTOR Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Niagara Falls, Canada Posts: 668	Yes, you can just use a peice of wire to cross the leads just before the mic and it will give the same results. __________________ Intel Core i7 920 @ 4.2GHZ Asus P6T Deluxe 12Gb Patriot Viper DDR3 1600 Radeon HD4870X2 4 WD RE2 500GB (4 in Raid 0, 280mb/s read) Corsair HX1000W Antec 1200 Samsung 46" 1080P LCD PIC'S : THERMAL-REACTOR

09-23-2009, 07:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
TekkyNASekky Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 40	Have you checked with the product's technical support: http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-carcharias/ __________________ If you need a "tech in a sec" contact me at www.tekkynasekky.webs.com or check out my blogs at www.tekkynasekky.wordpress.com

09-23-2009, 07:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
Timmie Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indiana, USA Age: 19 Posts: 154	Thanks for the suggestions guys. I won't be able to get warranty support without forging a fake sales receipt. While possible, I'm not going to do that. So, if I send it back, I'll be paying to have it repaired. However, I will send an email to their support team and see if they have any further suggestions. Who knows, maybe they'll offer to repair it free anyway! (Yeah, right) __________________ Intel Core2Quad Q8500 Coolermaster CM690 4gb OCZ Platinum DDR2 Sapphire HD4870 512mb

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Razer Piranha Gaming Headset	xbadwolfx	Computer Equipment For Sale	1	11-20-2008 05:47 AM
Headset	Pc_Pimp	Sound Cards and Speakers	6	02-07-2008 02:36 AM
Headset that works with Soundcard?	Zedicus	Sound Cards and Speakers	2	03-07-2006 09:26 PM
USB Headset and Sound Card	izytang	Sound Cards and Speakers	1	08-17-2004 04:29 AM
USB headset and soundcard speakers	rjousuf	Sound Cards and Speakers	5	07-27-2004 12:42 AM