Sound Recorder Not Finding Existing Recording Devices

One thing that stands out is the Internal mic is being identified as the "default communications device".

The external mic marked as ready normally indicates an external mic is connected (via the microphone input jack).

First thing, reinstall the PC vendor's sound driver. Do not use drivers from other sources as many times they do not work or do not work correctly. It looks like there is a corruption in the audio drivers with the status you are seeing for the devices.

Aha! A little "tidbit" that was not noted in the original post, the MAudio unit (I have a home recording studio using Sonar X1 and Pro Tools MP9). When I have my recording interface device connected, Windows detects and sets that at the default recording and playback devices. I've never used the Windows recorder but it may not be able to detect/use the MAudio unit as a recording device. My primary recording unit is a Roland Octa-Capture that I use with Sonar. I have an MAudio Fastrack Ultra 8R that I use with Pro Tools and is a backup for the Roland if needed.

Using Windows to search for software is not what is needed. You need to go to the PC vendor's site and download and install the driver they have for Win 7 and your PC model number. What is actually installed now may not be the PC vendors version of the IDT driver.

tried it with the driver offered in the dell support page for my computer, it rolled the driver back to an earlier version, but there it didn't have a stereo-mix any more and I updated it back again for now. + the stereo-mix isn't even coming back with the re-installed up to date driver version ... seems to me you just need to deal with device management to be back in the dark age of ancient pc times.

Another surprise, you have a Dell. I do a lot of support on the Dell forum (I am one of the "user staff" since 2002) and we have found that non Dell drivers either do not work or do not work properly in almost all cases.

What model laptop do you have? (Fill in the My System Specs).

You need to use the Dell SigmaTel driver, not the later IDT drivers. The Driver listed is for Vista 32 and 64 bit but it's also Win 7 compatible. Dell does not officially support Win 7 on this model, but the Vista drivers will work OK in Win 7. Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

After you install the Dell SigmaTel driver go to the Recording panel and RIGHT click in a blank area and then click to show disabled devices and also disconnected devices and see if the System Mixer shows up.

Make sure you follow the Dell install instructions. There are install instructions on the Dell download.

You may have to uninstall the newer IDT drivers first.

Also consider posting this problem on the Dell Laptop hardware forum section so those more familiar with Laptops can work on this. I mostly do desktop hardware support.

Here is the Dell Laptop Forum. You will have to register to post. Laptop - Dell Community