No, it occured suddenly, without any good reason, not after changing anything.. one day it worked, the other day I suddenly couldn't talk on vent and skype anymore and my mic didn't work anymore.

Yes, it is.

Well, my mic is a bit broken, though it does work for sure and this isn't the problem, but it makes alot of noise when I move the cord. So after re-installing my drivers, I rebooted and somehow moved the cord somewhat and heard the familiar crackling noises until the windows vista logo turned up.

Attached the everest thing.
Though when I download the Driverview and unzip it, I only unzip 2/3 files, not the .exe, for some reason...

i think u forgot to attach...

I'll look at Everest. here's some info in meantime

1. I looked at ASUS site at driver you said downloaded
2. Did you also update the BIOS? (don’t see is related but probably good to do) Looks as Version 0801 is most recent
3. I downloaded the audio driver to look inside. Look in Device Manager (per my last post) it says Version V6.10.1.6100?
4. V6.10.1.6100 is dependant on a Microsfot Hotfix. Problem description sounds different but still best to see it’s applied correctly in any case
-The hotfix should be applied BEFORE the driver is installed
- The hotfix is already included in Vista SP1. Not clear what you’re running or what order you installed

quick comments.. (will have more shortly)

but it appears is an older version of your BIOS
ASUS P5ND2 SE ACPI BIOS Revision 0501

Don't worry for now if you have any problem with Driverview

just tell me the driver version you see in Device Manager

i gotta finish interpreting the German <--> English everest ( is no problem. will manage)

My driver version is indeed V6.10.1.6100, might have to do that hotfix thingy first? got no idea what that is..
I've got NO idea how to update my BIOS
oh, and it's dutch btw, not german!

Duh! I've should have recognized that distinction actually LOL

I see on the ASUS site they have
- a flash tool (under BIOS utilities) which would be the loader
- and the different BIOS versions under BIOS
- Now to only find their instructions! Will have to explore the page (and i do notice they have manuals at the bottom of the list)

I don't know if just Everest but not sure why it says
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Edition 6.0.6001 (WinVista Beta)
I'd have to look closer at Vista Home Edition

As for the hotfix and next steps... probably best to
1. We'll figure out to update your BIOS first and get newer version installed
2. Make sure all MS updates are applied. It looks likes SP1 is there
3. Then make sure of clean uninstall of the driver
4. Followed by a reinstall

If that doesn't work will give u instructions that will let me get some detail on what drivers components/physical hardware peices are on your computer and see what other options apply

Ok, thx for all the info and alot of support. I'll look into it tomorrow, to tired to read atm..

We think alike. was just going to suggest not to change anything till tomorrow as is getting late here and i know ur about 7hrs later so best to follow up when we both have clearer heads. Will touch base after some sleep@!

Ok, my virus scanner was scanning during sleep and found 3 trojan horses in the 3 driverview maps (tried to download it 3x)... :/ quarantained though

With all things being equal per your description of your problem. That being of course that nothing had been changed (prior to the microphone being disabled) that all drivers have been updated to the latest drivers. that when testing the microphone on another system and finding there are no problems with the microphone hardware working correctly.when trying an alternate microphone on your system and learning that the alternate microphone does not work either. I would steer you towards replacing the sound card.

Yea, having a bad board still hasn't been ruled out but evidence at hand still leaves some reasonable options to explore first

1. BIOS - ASUS doesn't note bios changes for sound, but still wise to update it first before discarding the hardware
2. Reinstall. Seeing there's a known issue with MS fixes and driver.. go thru a clean process of applying the two and check any difference
3. Other program interference.- Use msconfig just to see if you didn;t bring up other apps.. does it matter? Does any other program interfere?
4. See what's also loaded into the machine and look at how Windows is choosing a assembling thr right components for the driver
5. Try another driver

Haven't found (or looked very closely yet) on BIOS instructions. THough would look first to see any type of link/info nearby where the loader utility is offered and alos checking the 4 differnt versions of manual (differnt languages.. don't know if otherwise same or differtn)

Oh.. and am farily confident those must be false positives as it's a site and a tool i know well. At same time, don't think we'll be needing driverview now anyway. So don't need worry about it yet. am running out.. but back in an hour or so

Ugh. So many details with these %^$#&!! computers.

While i continue looking at a couple things, why don't you download the manual from the ASUS download site for product. You want e2627 SE English Edition User's Manual(e2627)

• page 1-26 - verify connectors and verify if you're set for 2, 4 or 6 channel
• Section 2-1 - All about your BIOS. do NOT change anything yet but Just skim through the BIOS update info for familiarity. You would be using Award BIOS flash tool version 1.18 I'll let you double check as i recall some methods seemed to indicate using a floppy and don't know if you have a floppy on that device?
• Page 2 -12 BIOS setup program. May as well also check HDAUDIO enabled (pg 2.4.5)
• Look in Device Manager again under Properties for the sound card
  - On General Tab: It says it;s working? What is set in the pull down at bottom for Device Usage?
  - Under Resources Tab: Does it list any conflicting devices?

By the way, dumb question, but double check through Windows sound panel, your keyboard, soundmax controls.. etc.. that mute isn't set anywhere ( i know u sound ur speark sound still works?.. but just as well to double check)

You can also continue with some of the straight-forward stuff
1. Run MS Updates to make sure they’re applied
2. Then uninstall soundmax again

- Do you uninstall it from Add/Remove Programs? I’m just guessing there’s an entry there as I understand they have their own control panel).
- When it’s uninstalled, double check Device Manager to see if driver is also uninstalled. Would guess so, but if not Rt click->Uninstall

3. Then reinstall everythinhg and give it a shot
4. You can also try msconfig to stop any other of the optional startups from starting up on your system on next boot other then your AV and firewall Don't know if you might have any other optional startup is interfering with that device. http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/msconfig_vista.html
5. on that note..you said you do use the mic for skype and other stuff? what other stuff?

/*********** Edit ******************/
What version of skype do you use?

Woa, lots of things... kinda busy with other things atm, i'll check it out when i have time, probably not today

Put this at the top of the list

Ok. But put this at the top of the list for things to check

As regards that question if something else might be interfering with that device:

What's Sound Recording doing?

Find it in Sound Control Panel (will be something like)
=> click Recording -> microphone -> Properties -> Advanced

=> Look for the option Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device It must be unchecked

And if any other application controls (like skype?) using the mic.. check is any such similar option is offered and uncheck it