I put 8.04 on my 1525 and I eventually got the sound figured out, and it all worked fine.
I upgraded to 8.10, and sound works fine, but the mic port does not work anymore. If I set the Input Source to Mic, I can hear sound from the internal mic in the front, but if I select Front Mic, I get nothing. When I mute and un-mute the capture level, it sounds like it's switching something on and off like it used to, but I get nothing from it.
I looked at some guides here, but nothing seems applicable. I have gone through and tried a bunch of things in the Alsa mixer, but nothing has worked. I looked through the list of Alsa codecs, but there none of the drivers for SigmaTel STAC9228 seem to be the one I want.

cat /proc/asound/card0/codec#*
Code:
Codec: Conexant ID 2c06
Address: 0
Vendor Id: 0x14f12c06
Subsystem Id: 0x14f1000f
Revision Id: 0x100000
Modem Function Group: 0x2
Codec: Silicon Image SiI1392 HDMI
Address: 1
Vendor Id: 0x10951392
Subsystem Id: 0x1028022f
Revision Id: 0x100000
No Modem Function Group found
Default PCM:
    rates [0x0]:
    bits [0x0]:
    formats [0x0]:
Default Amp-In caps: N/A
Default Amp-Out caps: N/A
GPIO: io=0, o=0, i=0, unsolicited=0, wake=0
Node 0x02 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x6211: Stereo Digital
  Converter: stream=0, channel=0
  Digital:
  Digital category: 0x0
  PCM:
    rates [0x7f0]: 32000 44100 48000 88200 96000 176400 192000
    bits [0x1e]: 16 20 24 32
    formats [0x5]: PCM AC3
Node 0x03 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40738d: Stereo Digital Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x00 0x00]
  Pincap 0x0894: OUT Detect R/L
  Pin Default 0x18560010: [Jack] Digital Out at Int HDMI
    Conn = Digital, Color = Unknown
    DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x0
  Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Connection: 1
     0x02
Codec: SigmaTel STAC9228
Address: 2
Vendor Id: 0x83847616
Subsystem Id: 0x1028022f
Revision Id: 0x100402
No Modem Function Group found
Default PCM:
    rates [0x7e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000 176400 192000
    bits [0xe]: 16 20 24
    formats [0x1]: PCM
Default Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x0e, stepsize=0x05, mute=0
Default Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x7f, nsteps=0x7f, stepsize=0x02, mute=1
GPIO: io=3, o=0, i=0, unsolicited=1, wake=1
  IO[0]: enable=0, dir=0, wake=0, sticky=0, data=0
  IO[1]: enable=0, dir=0, wake=0, sticky=0, data=0
  IO[2]: enable=1, dir=1, wake=0, sticky=0, data=0
Node 0x02 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out R/L
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x5e 0x4e]
  Converter: stream=5, channel=0
  Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
  Delay: 13 samples
Node 0x03 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out R/L
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0xde 0xde]
  Converter: stream=5, channel=0
  Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
  Delay: 13 samples
Node 0x04 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out R/L
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0xde 0xde]
  Converter: stream=5, channel=0
  Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
  Delay: 13 samples
Node 0x05 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out R/L
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0xde 0x5e]
  Converter: stream=5, channel=0
  Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
  Delay: 13 samples
Node 0x06 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xfd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out R/L
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0xff 0xff]
  Power: setting=D3, actual=D3
  Delay: 13 samples
Node 0x07 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x1d0541: Stereo
  Converter: stream=0, channel=0
  SDI-Select: 0
  Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
  Delay: 13 samples
  Connection: 1
     0x1b
  Processing caps: benign=0, ncoeff=0
Node 0x08 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x1d0541: Stereo
  Converter: stream=0, channel=0
  SDI-Select: 0
  Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
  Delay: 13 samples
  Connection: 1
     0x1c
  Processing caps: benign=0, ncoeff=0
Node 0x09 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x1d0541: Stereo
  Converter: stream=0, channel=0
  SDI-Select: 0
  Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
  Delay: 13 samples
  Connection: 1
     0x1d
  Processing caps: benign=0, ncoeff=0
Node 0x0a [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
  Pincap 0x08173f: IN OUT HP Detect Trigger ImpSense
    Vref caps: HIZ 50 GRD 80
  Pin Default 0x02211230: [Jack] HP Out at Ext Front
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
    DefAssociation = 0x3, Sequence = 0x0
  Pin-ctls: 0xc0: OUT HP VREF_HIZ
  Unsolicited: tag=30, enabled=1
  Connection: 2
     0x02* 0x03
Node 0x0b [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
  Pincap 0x08173f: IN OUT HP Detect Trigger ImpSense
    Vref caps: HIZ 50 GRD 80
  Pin Default 0x02a11220: [Jack] Mic at Ext Front
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
    DefAssociation = 0x2, Sequence = 0x0
  Pin-ctls: 0x24: IN VREF_80
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Connection: 2
     0x02 0x03*
Node 0x0c [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
  Pincap 0x081737: IN OUT Detect Trigger ImpSense
    Vref caps: HIZ 50 GRD 80
  Pin Default 0x01a19040: [Jack] Mic at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
    DefAssociation = 0x4, Sequence = 0x0
  Pin-ctls: 0x24: IN VREF_80
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Connection: 1
     0x03
Node 0x0d [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
  Pincap 0x08173f: IN OUT HP Detect Trigger ImpSense
    Vref caps: HIZ 50 GRD 80
  Pin Default 0x01114210: [Jack] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
    DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x0
  Pin-ctls: 0x00: VREF_HIZ
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Connection: 1
     0x02
Node 0x0e [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
  Pincap 0x081737: IN OUT Detect Trigger ImpSense
    Vref caps: HIZ 50 GRD 80
  Pin Default 0x01111212: [Jack] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
    DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x2
  Pin-ctls: 0x00: VREF_HIZ
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Connection: 1
     0x04
Node 0x0f [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
  Pincap 0x081737: IN OUT Detect Trigger ImpSense
    Vref caps: HIZ 50 GRD 80
  Pin Default 0x01116211: [Jack] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Orange
    DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x1
  Pin-ctls: 0x00: VREF_HIZ
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Connection: 1
     0x05
Node 0x10 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0837: IN OUT Detect Trigger ImpSense
  Pin Default 0x01813050: [Jack] Line In at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Blue
    DefAssociation = 0x5, Sequence = 0x0
  Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Connection: 1
     0x04
Node 0x11 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0837: IN OUT Detect Trigger ImpSense
  Pin Default 0x01112214: [Jack] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Grey
    DefAssociation = 0x1, Sequence = 0x4
  Pin-ctls: 0x00:
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Connection: 1
     0x03
Node 0x12 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400001: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0820: IN
  Pin Default 0x403003fa: [N/A] CD at Ext N/A
    Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
    DefAssociation = 0xf, Sequence = 0xa
    Misc = NO_PRESENCE
  Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Node 0x13 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400001: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0820: IN
  Pin Default 0x90a60040: [Fixed] Mic at Int N/A
    Conn = Digital, Color = Unknown
    DefAssociation = 0x4, Sequence = 0x0
  Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Node 0x14 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400001: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0820: IN
  Pin Default 0x90a60040: [Fixed] Mic at Int N/A
    Conn = Digital, Color = Unknown
    DefAssociation = 0x4, Sequence = 0x0
  Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Node 0x15 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30010d: Stereo Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x04, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 9
     0x0e 0x12 0x0f 0x0b* 0x0c 0x0d 0x0a 0x10 0x11
Node 0x16 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30010d: Stereo Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x04, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 9
     0x0e 0x12 0x0f 0x0b 0x0c* 0x0d 0x0a 0x10 0x11
Node 0x17 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30010d: Stereo Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x04, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 9
     0x0e 0x12 0x0f 0x0b 0x0c 0x0d 0x0a 0x10* 0x11
Node 0x18 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x300103: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: N/A
  Amp-In vals:  [0x0d 0x0d]
  Connection: 1
     0x15
Node 0x19 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x300103: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: N/A
  Amp-In vals:  [0x0e 0x0e]
  Connection: 1
     0x16
Node 0x1a [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x300103: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: N/A
  Amp-In vals:  [0x0e 0x0e]
  Connection: 1
     0x17
Node 0x1b [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30090d: Stereo Amp-Out R/L
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 3
     0x18* 0x13 0x14
Node 0x1c [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30090d: Stereo Amp-Out R/L
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x80 0x80]
  Connection: 3
     0x19* 0x13 0x14
Node 0x1d [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30090d: Stereo Amp-Out R/L
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x80 0x80]
  Connection: 3
     0x1a* 0x13 0x14
Node 0x1e [Audio Output] wcaps 0x40211: Stereo Digital
  Converter: stream=0, channel=0
  Digital:
  Digital category: 0x0
  PCM:
    rates [0x7e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000 176400 192000
    bits [0xe]: 16 20 24
    formats [0x5]: PCM AC3
  Delay: 4 samples
Node 0x1f [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf30201: Stereo Digital
  Delay: 3 samples
Node 0x20 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x140311: Stereo Digital
  Converter: stream=0, channel=0
  SDI-Select: 0
  Digital:
  Digital category: 0x0
  PCM:
    rates [0x160]: 44100 48000 96000
    bits [0xe]: 16 20 24
    formats [0x5]: PCM AC3
  Delay: 4 samples
  Connection: 1
     0x22
Node 0x21 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400301: Stereo Digital
  Pincap 0x0810: OUT
  Pin Default 0x404003fb: [N/A] SPDIF Out at Ext N/A
    Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
    DefAssociation = 0xf, Sequence = 0xb
    Misc = NO_PRESENCE
  Pin-ctls: 0x00:
  Connection: 5
     0x1e* 0x1f 0x1b 0x1c 0x1d
Node 0x22 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x430681: Stereo Digital
  Pincap 0x0810024: IN EAPD Detect
  EAPD 0x0:
  Pin Default 0x40c003fc: [N/A] SPDIF In at Ext N/A
    Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
    DefAssociation = 0xf, Sequence = 0xc
    Misc = NO_PRESENCE
  Pin-ctls: 0x00:
  Unsolicited: tag=00, enabled=0
  Power: setting=D0, actual=D0
  Delay: 3 samples
Node 0x23 [Beep Generator Widget] wcaps 0x70000c: Mono Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x03, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x17, mute=0
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x00]
Node 0x24 [Volume Knob Widget] wcaps 0x600000: Mono
  Volume-Knob: delta=1, steps=127, direct=1, val=127
  Connection: 4
     0x02* 0x03 0x04 0x05