I checked out your 'all-purpose' solution for none-working microphones. That really, really (and I'm stressing the really part,) didn't help. I've tried everything I possibly can, every single thing that has to do with the microphone (yes, it's even plugged in,) and I haven't been able to get a peep in sound recorder. Is there any rare problems that aren't supposed to occur that I may be experiencing right now? If so, please e-mail me the truth about this problem, and (if one exists!) a solution! I just bought my mic and I'm really disappointed. I've seen this problem happen to other people, but frankly I was too dumb to pay attention back then. (Alas! I have said too much!) See ya later! And remember, email me the results if you'd be so kind!

1) Are you sure the mike works (tested on another machine)?

2) Is the microphone volume NOT muted?

3) Have you reinstalled your sound card software? What sound card is it?

I will test the mike, just to make sure it does work. The chances are pretty good it does. It's brand new and the package wasn't even opened or anything. Couldn't have been tampered with. As for the muting thing, I am positive that is not the case. I've gone over it time and time again. Even though it's a grueling process to get my sound card installed (maybe not so for the second time) I will try that. I have an Ensoniq AudioPCI 16 card (not sure if that's it's actual name, but close) and I'm pretty sure that my card will be fine with a mike cuz let's face it, they put a jack for it.
Thanks for the reply.

After reinstalling the audio software check in Control Panel, MultiMedia, Input devices - can you move the volume slide bar for the mike back and forth? If not, there is still a software problem...

I am thanful for your support, but I'm afraid I'm still expieriencing the same problem. All the settings that have to do with the microphone are changable and seem to work fine, but microphone still doesn't seem to record anything when I try and use it. I know there is not a problem with the microphone itself because I tested it in a stereo, and it worked fine. The actual problem might tie in with the all the errors that occur with my system because of the damage to my motherboard. But I've never expierienced anything wrong with my sound card, and I do not think that is what is wrong.

Ok, one other thing to double check then.

1) With the microphone volume all the way up start recording, then tap the mike against something (desk for example) a few times, then playback with volume all the way up. There was a post from someone else a while back with a similar problem and it turned out that his soundcard's microphone input was very bad and needed a high gain mike to work.

Also, just to be 100% sure - try pluggin the mike into each open jack on the back of the card while doing these tests. Maybe the Line In and Mike In jacks are backwards.

If none of this works, I can only conclude that the Mike In on your sound card simply doesn't work. This is certainly possible. Not what you want to hear, I'm sure, though.

Well, I've finally got my microphone to work. Turned out the bloody line in and mike in WERE reversed. Now I feel incredibly stupid. I'm not having anymore problems except for the fact that the mike is ALWAYS amplifying my voice, but that's better than it not working at all. Thanks for you support.

Never feel stupid when a problem is solved - just be happy it works!

I'll go ahead and close this down - if you have any other trouble, just make a new post.