Microphones only work with other computers

I have a problem with microphones. They used to work, I could talk with friends and record voices. One day all the microphones in the world stopped working with my PC. I have re-installed Windows XP, tried different microphones, tweaked every setting possible, but to no avail.
Now here's where it gets weird; my PC records sounds now, but with or without a mic. It doesn't record the sounds with the mic, and it doesn't record any actual sounds, other than the ones coming from my PC. It's like a digital microphone that only records the sounds my PC can make, like music or whatever.

By tweaking some settings, I've managed to record my voice and make people hear me, but it sounds like I'm inside a jar screaming, and you can barely hear me. You have to turn the volume up real high to hear me, and as I said, I need to scream.

I don't like screaming, and I want the mic to work as it used to do before. What could the problem be, do you think? I suspect my sound card is somehow broken, because I also have sound problems when listening to music and such. I always have to make the wire(s) from my speakers to my PC sit really tight, or the sound disappears or becomes really difficult to hear.

I'd like to know what the problem is and what I can do to fix it.

lol well that does like your Sound Card is screwed, There is nothing better than a format which you have already done.
Now I suspect you must have another mic somewhere for it to record what your saying... Maybe its on your Webcam? If you have one that is.

I suggust just buying a new 5.1 Sound Card... They are only about $15 over here. And you will be set again.

Originally Posted by V99

Now I suspect you must have another mic somewhere for it to record what your saying... Maybe its on your Webcam? If you have one that is.

I don't have a webcam, for the record. I've tried making sounds on all parts of the computer and the screen, but it doesn't react. I was wondering if it had some sort of built-in mic as well, but it doesn't.

I was sure that a new soundcard would do the trick, but I can't afford such things. I have enough money, but I need them for something else. Perhaps there is still a way to fix this problem, without having to buy a new soundcard?

Serouisly dude $15 is not gonna be the end of the world.... Ask for it for Christmas if your that hardup. A Sound card would fix the problem so easily... Either that or you could be there for a loooong time.

Yeh. It is unmuted isnt it? try put it on stereo mix or mono mix instead of microphone and see what happens. That is exactly what happened to my mic this morning and then i realised i just had to switch back to mono. Weird eh?

Have you checked to see if recording is set to "Line in" rather than "microphone"? If it is, switch it to "mirophone."

I'd do what Scott has said. Also check your Sound control panel and see if anything is in the wrong place. Also check your sound card drivers, and update them if nessecery.

get a pre-amplifeir or mixer. basically a pre-amplifier is something u plug your microphone in and it amplifies it. a good one should have some basic volume controls. the pre-amp can be plugged into a computer.

certain mixers work as well. ive got a small behringer mixer ($30) and it works great

I just wanted to mention that there are no new drivers for my sound card. I've looked all over the Internet, and I seriously couldn't find anything that actually updated my sound card's drivers.