[neverending]

go to the little speaker icon in the lower right hand corner of your screen. Double click it. In the software mixer that comes up, click on options. Then click on properties. Then select recording. Make sure microphone has an x in the box. Then in the recording controls, make sure microphone is selected. Make sure volume is set at a good level.

All this may be moot if you have the wrong type of mic- I'm not sure that 3 1/2" jack will work- even though you can get it to go into the soundcard jack, it might not work. You may need to go to Radio Shack and get a 3 1/2 to mini adaptor.