Mic and sound issues

I'm trying to record some dialogue with the mic attached to my headphones but it won't record when I open the little record sound program that xp has. It doesn't record anything actually. I've unplugged the headphones and mic a couple times with no results. Nothing has worked. It let me record some stuff a week ago and I haven't messed with the configuration.

Also, the mic is not muted, and the volume is all the way up. The green line that's supposed to show the sound waves when you speak, is a total flatline as well, every time I speak into the mic.

Can you try to right click on the speaker icon in the lower right Taskbar which is called quick launch. Select Adjust Audio Properties. Select the Recording tab. Make sure your microphone is set as the Default. If you are using a USB connected microphone, select the USB input. If you have a Web Cam with microphone make sure that is not the Default.

I checked.. it is set as the default. I'm really stumped since I didn't alter the settings at all after successfully recording before.

Follow the steps below properly:

First you have to go to Start
Then All Programs
Then Accessories
Then Entertainment
Then Volume Control

- Now, you will see the Master Volume window appearing.
- In the Menu Bar,
-->Click on Options
-->Click Advanced Controls

- Now, you 'll see the Advanced button appearing in below the MIC section. Click on that Advanced button.

- You will now be able to check a small windows Advanced Control for MIC that should be appearing and in this small window, at the bottom, you 'll see the option 1 Mic 20db with check box. Check that check box [i.e, mark the check box].