Symptom #1

There is no Stereo Mix function in the Recording tab under Sound settings in current ThinkPads. (This function existed in some previous ThinkPads.)

Previous ThinkPad example of Sound settings:

Current ThinkPad example of Sound settings:

Symptom #2

There is no Microphone option in the Levels tab under Sound settings, Speakers Properties in current ThinkPads. (This function existed in some previous ThinkPads.)

Previous ThinkPad example of Speakers Properties:

Current ThinkPad example of Speakers Properties:

Any of the following Lenovo ThinkPad systems running on Microsoft Windows Vista or Microsoft Windows XP with the following configurations:

• ThinkPad R61, R61i
• ThinkPad T61, T61p
• ThinkPad X61, X61s, X61 tablet
• ThinkPad X200
• ThinkPad X300, X301
• ThinkPad R400, R500
• ThinkPad T400, T500
• ThinkPad W500

Symptoms #1 and #2 were caused by a design change agreement between Microsoft and the audio chip hardware supplier. The new change drops the support of mixed-stereo function and direct playback of microphone. The change in design calls to have these function implemented in application level in future. The goal of this design change is to begin standardizing the audio industry. The design change affected all PC vendors worldwide. In the future, Microsoft and audio vendors expect individual applications developers pick up these functions.