Just though I'd better mention that I wrote a quick tutorial on how to get around this bug on my Ubuntu-FS site a while ago.
http://ubuntufs.wordpress.com/2006/06/08/trouble-with-your-microphone/ I keep a keen eye on the sites stats & this still seems to be one of the most read articles on the whole blog. I think that it effects quite a few different types of laptops, not just Sony VAIO's. -- Microphone bug in Ubuntu Dapper. https://launchpad.net/bugs/37736 -- desktop-bugs mailing list desktop-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/desktop-bugs