Operating Basics
Using the microphone
Your computer has a built-in microphone that can be used to record monaural sounds into your applications. It can also be used to issue voice commands to applications that support such functions. (Built-in microphone is provided with some models)
Since your computer has a built-in microphone and speaker, "feedback" may be heard under certain conditions. Feedback occurs when sound from the speaker is picked up in the microphone and amplified back to the speaker, which amplifies it again to the microphone.
This feedback occurs repeatedly and causes a very loud, high-pitched noise. It is a common phenomenon that occurs in any sound system when the microphone input is output to the speaker (throughput) and the speaker volume is too loud or too close to the microphone. You can control throughput by adjusting the volume of your speaker or through the Mute function in the Master Volume panel. Refer to your Windows documentation for details on using the Master Volume panel.
Using the optical media drive
The text and illustrations in this section refer primarily to the optical CD-ROM drive. However, operation is the same for all other optical media drives. The full-size drive provides high-performance execution of CD-ROM-based programs. You can run either 12 cm (4.72") or 8 cm (3.15") CDs without an adaptor. An ATAPI interface controller is used for CD-ROM operation. When the computer is accessing a CD-ROM, an indicator on the drive glows.
If you have a DVD Super Multi drive, refer also to the Writing CD/DVDs with the DVD Super Multi drive supporting DVD±R Double layer section for precautions on writing to CDs/DVDs.