ok. so my mic works maybe half the time, and when it does work it sucks. I dont have a soundcard and just use the soundmax controller from the onboard stuff. Usually after a while the mic or line in will automatically get muted on its own. well that and i can not for the life of me get my levels right so it doesnt sound like audio death everytime i talk. any suggestions? is there a way to just get everything sounding right on my own-i.e. sounding normal in vent?

still using a standard two plug mic and headset combo? or you using a usb setup?

yea its the two plug combo

how old is it? wires in 2 plugs can go sometimes, they dont take much abuse. also onboard sound can go after time and start acting up. Its just a flaw with onboard. You can try an updated audio driver , or just simply bypass it completely and get a usb mic/headset and bypass your onboard sound. Or you can get a sound card. you have a few options. But a simple quick fix would be a usb setup.