Can't record: 'Rec. playback' option gone from Sound dialog.

I can no longer record any sound coming through my sound card - only from microphone input. The option 'Rec. playback. IDT high definition audio codec' has simply vanished. I'm baffled and have tried everything. Drivers appear to be OK and up to date.

I've included snips of the dialog box as it used to be (left), and the way it is now (right). (I've right-clicked and checked 'show disabled devices' and 'show disconnected devices'. )

What may have caused the problem? Hard to say as I haven't tried to use this function for a few days. but possibly... Audio software which i have installed, then uninstalled, or new version of Skype, might have changed settings? Or I've 'cleaned up' too aggressively and have deleted something important?

If this is a 'silly' problem, apologies; but as I say, I've tried everything. please help.

Have you done a System Restore to a time prior to the first occurrence of this problem?

I wanted to. Unfortunately,the only system restore point was from a microsoft update the day previous. I did restore anyway, but no joy. (Only noticed the problem yesterday, and all changes i made were a few days before.) Not sure why no previous restore points were available, though...? .. but that's happened before.

Sound on Windows 7 can be very cranky. My only other suggestion would be to uninstall then reinstall all sound drivers.

Just what i was thinking, Ignatz.:) Looking at the screen shots above, it occured to me I might have accidentally uninstalled 'IDT high definition audio codec' (from my original install disc) as now it says i have a MICROSOFT hi def audio codec. (Is it even possible that microsoft in one of its automatic updates took the liberty of replacing IDT's product with its own??). Anyway, found the IDT codec on cnet, ignoring user warnings that it doesn't work on 64-bit W7. Result was NO SOUND whatever!! so did system restore... Next step? it could be because i didn't install in the right folder 'programs', or could be i need a more reliable source for the codec. will try again.

I've tried everything!! Lots of ways, but essentially remove the IDT folder from my 'Programs' folder; then put the new IDT folder in its place (which i got from cnet - still not sure it is the right one as it is not very similar to the one i removed; but the zip file i got from dell appears to be the same as it); the ran the set up file inside. it waits, then gives the message 'ExitError: error device = object not present. restart the system and try again'. of course i have done so, but with no joy.

By googling this message i see people who have had similar problems have ultimately had to reinstall windows from the original disc.

I really really don't want to have to do this. i assume i would have to save all my documents, about 200GB on another disc (would mean buying a hard disc, i suppose); also re-install all my software and settings.

Please somebody tell me there is an alternative to this!!

Hallelujah!!

I finally managed to reinstall, using the dell website. (it helps if you have a 'service tag': if, like me, you don't, follow the signposts carefully).

It took an age to install (finally, no error message) and another age to reboot which suggested something was wrong....

But - God is Great - the Rec. playback icon was back, though 'not available'. Right click for menu, enable.. and voila!!!