Why won't my microphone work?

[swee'pea99]

I've tried the dell site and run thru' all their diagnostic suggestions; nothing works. When you ask if there's an option in soundmax...is there a way I can 'get into' soundmax? I can right-click and get properties, and info on drivers and the like, but I can't find any route to anything I'd call an option.

And thanks Ian for the uninstall suggestion... but I find myself looking at long sub-lists of things I'd have to remove one by one, with warnings attached, 

...and I kind of lose my nerve and decide life without a microphone isn't that bad. 

I think I've just about given up...but thanks anyway.

 

[ian turner]

There's something somewhere that is set incorrectly and there are various levels in various areas.
In control panel select sound and audio then on the volume tab click advanced and then under options select properties and in their select recording which will list enabled recording devices and check microphone is enabled. then click ok and the volume displays will now be for recording and check that mic isn't muted.