Laptop Microphone turns itself down to 0

I’ve recently upgraded to Vista on a laptop that has a built-in microphone.
It was working fine in XP, but in Vista I watch as it turns its own level
down to 2 and then 0 every time I try to use it. I have tried turning the
speaker volume down, as well as unchecking the “exclusive control� box, and I
use it in a quiet room with no background noise. I really don’t want to have
to start using a headset if I can avoid it. I’m not looking for superior
functionality – just functionality period.

Any suggestions?

Have you installed an application that tries to control the microphone level
automatically? For instance, Skype does this, and it doesn't work very well
in Vista. Look in the application to see if you can turn the feature off,
or check if there is an application upgrade available that may fix the
problem.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"waitingfornine" <waitingfornine RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:04E1322F-EF4E-4BE1-B12A-BB7EEEE82C77@microsoft.com...
> I've recently upgraded to Vista on a laptop that has a built-in
> microphone.
> It was working fine in XP, but in Vista I watch as it turns its own level
> down to 2 and then 0 every time I try to use it. I have tried turning the
> speaker volume down, as well as unchecking the "exclusive control" box,
> and I
> use it in a quiet room with no background noise. I really don't want to
> have
> to start using a headset if I can avoid it. I'm not looking for superior
> functionality - just functionality period.
>
> Any suggestions?
>