OK thanks for the information.
I note a 64-bit openSUSE-11.2 with the 2.6.31.8-0.1-desktop kernel and the 1.0.20/1.0.21 version of alsa that comes with 11.2 running on an AsusTek A7k laptop with the ALC660-VD hardware audio codec.
Your mixer settings appear ok, albeit a bit slim. The very slimness of the available settings suggests to me that the audio configuration could be better.
I assume you are talking about both an external mic and an internal mic? Or just one and not the other. This is VERY important information for someone trying to give support. So which is it?
If it is the Internal Mic, that could be difficult.
What you could try (and no guarantees here) is making an assumption that your hardware is not being properly configured upon boot by the automatic alsa configuration, and that you need to force a model configuration. In such a case the model options available that can be forced (only one at a time and only one will be optimal, if any) are:
ALC861VD/660VD
==============
3stack 3-jack
3stack-dig 3-jack with SPDIF OUT
6stack-dig 6-jack with SPDIF OUT
3stack-660 3-jack (for ALC660VD)
3stack-660-digout 3-jack with SPDIF OUT (for ALC660VD)
lenovo Lenovo 3000 C200
dallas Dallas laptops
hp HP TX1000
asus-v1s ASUS V1Sn
auto auto-config reading BIOS (default)
Note also that just because an option does not have “asus” in the name does not mean it is not the best option.
So to try a model option (say in our example “asus-v1s” ) you need to edit the /etc/modprobe.d/50-sound.conf file, adding a line to the START of the file, so that the file looks like:
options snd-hda-intel model=asus-v1s
options snd slots=snd-hda-intel,snd-hda-intel
# 5Dex.IOFetRyhSn6:SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA)
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
# NXNs.JPS6WT8bfU4:RV630/M76 audio device [Radeon HD 2600 Series]
alias snd-card-1 snd-hda-intel
save the change, and then restart your alsa sound driver with su -c ‘rcalsasound restart’ and restart your mixer and then test your mic. This may make things much worse. It may make no difference.
Anyway, if that does not work, then replace “asus-v1s” in that /etc/modprobe.d/50-sound.conf file with another option from the list, say “3stack” and again restart your alsa (as described above), restart the mixer, and again test.
Do that for each option.
If in the end, none help, then remove that first line from the /etc/modprobe.d/50-sound.conf file, and you will be back where you started.
I am leaving on monday for 2 weeks, and will have limited to no access to this forum during that time frame. Good luck in your efforts.