Question : Microphone output has to be unmuted???

I have a SoundBlaster Live 5.1 using the latest Windows XP driver pack.  I did a fresh install of windows last week and there's not much on my comp right now except the OS.  Anyway, no matter what microphone i plug into my computer, the only way sound is picked up from it is if i go into volume control (playback) and uncheck the mute box under microphone.  This of course causes a hum in my speakers.  In the volume control for recording, i have the microphone selected and the volume is all the way up.  Why can't i leave the playback muted and still record from the microphone?  Isn't that the way it's supposed to work?

Answer : Microphone output has to be unmuted???

dont think that you can. however you can set mine as an answer and then i post a question for the same points and u answer that to get the points back

Bis:)