conexant high definition smartaudio 221 ??

Hi - I am new to this and a PC user rather than knowledgable about it.

But I have had lots of graphics driver (ATI HD) and now conexant mic issues. The mic did work fine but now I have windows 7 SP1 its as others decribe, does not pick up the level very well, others I try to skype say it cuts in and out. Not sure it is the SP1 update I did a few days ago as I have not used it for a while, and the crashing graphics issue was waht prompted the SP1 update (auto update did not advise me of it). But could be a compatibility issue with 7SP1?
I tried/checked all the mic and audio set up and settings as described on many thread here and elsewhere, reinstalled the driver from the Packed Bell recovery module (has all the original drivers) no difference. Note that I did find a new graphics driver on ATI website (clicking update fromm device manager said no updates available) which, touch wood, seems to have helped that.

One thing I learnt from the conexant web site, mentioned above, is it states:

PC Audio Support - Windows® 7
Conexant develops audio solutions that are used in a wide range of products including personal computers. We provide customized audio drivers to our customers, which include major computer manufacturers globally. At the request of these manufacturers, Conexant does not provide end-user support or drivers for PC audio products. If you have an issue with the audio configuration in Windows 7, please contact the manufacturer of your computer.

So it seems you are stuck with the driver you got from the machine maufacturer (mine on machine is 2009 version - just notice PB website shows 4.98.9.0 18 Jan 2010 which I think is newer than mine at work so not 100%) but the date is definately when they added them to their new download site as all drivers have the same date!)

Any ideas to help fix this are appreciated.

Notice a site called PCpitstop has a 'conexant HD audio' driver for 7 x64 at 8.41.1.0 and Jan 2011. Anyone used this and fixed their mic issues?
Cheers

Hi All

For info - all this hassle with slowing pc and video/sound drivers seemed to start just after the March W7 updates - my system was set to auto update, now disabled - this included Silverlight, then after the first issues I installed SP1 (after I searched, it was not presented automatically).

So lots of virus and other work in and out of safe mode, unistall and reinstall drivers etc, Conexant HD and mic still playing up, poor sound levels and crashing mic set up.

Well I hope I am not tempting fate (really sooo do)- late last night I unistalled SP1 (pc seemed immediately better) and then all except the security update from 8/3, including uninstalling silverlight.

immediately the PC seems to be fater, less CPU usage and memory use, less HDD activity AND...I ran one mic set up test and it worked (well it did not crash and said it was complete when it should do).:)

I will run more checks etc, but I am hopeing that I have found the culprit! - damn MS Silverlight (whatever that is) and/or W7 SP1 or other updates from begining of March 2011 having compatibility issues with conexant HD drivers (4.98) and (maybe) ATI HD graphics drivers (though updated driver from their website -won't do it via 'update' button- seemed to fix it) and these MS installs generally killing your system. (note as above conexant don't do updates to 'counteract' the silverlight and sp1)

If you have conexant HD mic issues, try seeing if you recently installed Silverlight or SP1 (in windows update history) select them and unistall (can alwasy re-add later very easily).

I have everything crossed

Anyone know if this has been advised or MS have heard it?