Mic Problems on Asus P4PE with onboard sound

[EDB]

I can't get my mic to work, either in XP's sound recording program or online gaming (Battlefield2). Output through the SPDIF dongle to a HCT dolby processing 5.1 headphone processer (not sure of terminology) works fine.

The system in question is the gaming computer listed in my sig.

I've checked mic properties in both the XP Sounds and Audio Devices, and SoundMax control panel (Cadenza, I believe its called) and unmuted everything (Anyone able to tell me how to make sure that mic unmute is set as default? Sometimes, it will be muted upon boot). I've checked Mic Boost. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the SoundMax, and checked for updated drivers from Asus. I've made sure the mic is plugged into the pink socket. All default devices are SoundMax. SPDIF settings allow me to choose between PCM and AC3 or both. BF2 had problems when AC3 was selected, so currently any PCM is checked. (I don't know what these should be set at)

Can there be a conflict somewhere that is causing this problem? Am I missing a vital setting/control panel?

Looking at Asus and Soundmax's sites I found that I may need to disable a second (front) mic input on the mobo, but I haven't opened the comp yet to look at it. (I don't remember selecting that when building the comp.)**edit: I opened it up, and the front panel mic is not activated.
Additional suggestions included making sure 5.1 sound wasn't enabled (As that would change the mic input socket to a speaker channel.) I've chosen stereo headphones over 5.1 in the Soundmax control panel. I also read something about it being in the BIOS, so I went looking, but haven't found anything about 5.1 there. I welcome further advice.

Additionally, with Battlefield 2, I am mostly unable to hear the VOIP of other squad members. Sometimes I can hear my squad, and other times I cannot. I cannot figure out why. Any BF2ers out there who can explain this to me? VOIP is enabled. EAX is disabled, Sound processing is done through software.

**edit, just found this thread, which sounds a lot like my problems... but don't see a resolution. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...&highlight=BF2

REsolved: I now am able to make it work. Main problem apparently was my color-blindness and not being plugged into the proper socket. (Though I had the mic plugged in there as well b4) SPDIF also needs to be set to one or both of the codecs, otherwise no sound. It's working in MS Sound Recorder... next step to try out VOIP in BF2!)