Audio Problem: STAC92xx Mic, No Boost

[koruptid]

I ran into this problem while attempting to use skype:

I can get the mic to function, however the input from it is so low that it may as well be non-functional.

In the volume control under "HDA Intel" the recording device "Capture" is enabled, this is the only device thus far that I have been able to get skype to even recognize on the test call.... settings skype to use "pulse" just results in absolutely no sound at all.

Skype Selected "Sound In": "HDA Intel (hw:Intel,0)"

My computer is a Dell Inspiron 1520 with a STAC92xx audio chipset
(82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller with Sigmatel STAC9227 Codec)


Changes I've Made hoping it would work:

in ~/.asoundrc

pcm.!default {
    type pulse
}
ctl.!default {
    type pulse
}
pcm.pulse {
    type pulse
}
ctl.pulse {
    type pulse
}

in /etc/pulse/daemon.conf

default-fragments = 8
default-fragment-size-msec = 5

I've also installed all the pulseaudio utilities in order to try to find the problem and thus far have been unsuccessful. I am a programmer and technician (and general geek) so any ideas that are had I should be able to follow. So far I have tried just about every conceivable change and nothing has worked.