Is there a way to use speakers and Skype phone simultaneously?

[Relztrah]

OS: Windows XP Pro
machine: Dell Dimension 2400

I have a little Skype handset that plugs into the audio out and mic jacks of my sound card that I use for Skype calls. I leave my computer speakers plugged into a speaker jack on the front of my computer for music, etc. But I can't use them simultaneously. If I unplug my speakers, for example, and put in a CD, the music plays through the handset as well as all other audio. If I plug the speakers in the front of my machine (without unplugging my handset) the voice from my Skype calls comes through the speakers rather than my handset.

I imagine that I have an either/or situation here, and I can live with unplugging my speakers when I make a Skype call. But maybe there's a workaround.

Thanks,
Relztrah

[mjc]

Unless you have front and rear channels on your sound (onboard, right?) you are looking at an either/or...

[Sylvander]

For a long time on my previous PC I was using an audio "Y" splitter so I could run both my headset and amplified speakers off the audio output at the rear.
Not sure if it was line output; probably spkr out.
Only used the headset mic alone connected to the mic input at the rear.
I wonder whether it's possible to connect 2 mic's to 1 mic input using a "Y" splitter?
I know in the distant past [1960's] I've used a [battery powered] mic mixer with only volume controls; 4 inputs, 1 output.
Still have that mixer. :)

[mjc]

Without getting into all the gory details of mic construction, impedance and gain...no, don't run two mics off a splitter.

That is the reason for mixers, in the first place...

[FTT]

I'll gladly furnish the mixer but first I need to know what's in the bottle... ;)

Relzstrah,
Do you have an output jack on your cd-rom? You could play your cd's through that on your speakers while Skype is connected internally.