Just to double check, you did try the steps I listed in this post. Correct?

If so, I'm back to being a bystander now. :)

I meant the "bar in windows' own mic detector-bar-thing". I'm sorry for the confusion, it's hard to write on a language you don't know... But please, test with your eyes AND ears. The volume should change.
As for the drivers, keep 'em. But one of the things I was going to suggest depending on the results of what I wrote before was to delete the VIA software (while keeping the drivers) and manage settings directly from Windows.

I think we need all the ideas we can... and yours were really appropriate. This is a tough one so, if you find something, don't hesitate to tell it. The more the merrier!

Heh, noticed a fun tidbit. If I have skype on before starting playclaw, playclaw cannot find stereo mix in it's input options. But if I turn off skype it finds it. If I start playclaw first, then skype, it lets me choose stereo mix. I tried recording with just skype on and not calling anyone, nothing changed. Skype does not raise the mic volume by merely being on.

And yes, lowering the gain-thing in VIA control panel, it lowered the volume of my voice. It also affected on the bars in the windows audio window. When the gain-thing was at 0, I could hardly hear anything, even when I blew into the mic.

Does that help?

I'm sorry I couldn't write earlier - I'm swamped with work at the moment.

The Skype thing is normal; I guess is a driver thing.
As for the other thing: so the gain slider does work, huh? Could you please try changing the volume sliders and see if that also affects the sound (and the display)?
Everything is pointing at one direction: Skype enhances the volume, while other software does not. Still, you should be able to record with same quality (if Skype is boosting the sound it should also boost the noise floor). If it's at all possible, could you please record some spoken words with Windows Sound Recorder and Skype? I'd like to compare them and see if that's the case.

I'm sorry if I'm asking too much, but... I don't see any other way.

Here are the settings I have that allow me to record sound and the mic together. Hopefully when you compare them to yours you find something that we've overlooked that fixes the problem.

I'd totally do that, but if I make the mic as a default recording device, stereo mix says it's unavailable. If I put stereo mix as the default recording, mic tells me its unavailable, which means I cannot speak in skype. It does record my voice, but at the same low volume.

Perfect scenario would be that stereo mix was the default recording device and mic was the default communication device. But that doesn't work...

Sorry, I forgot to mention that when I recorded (using Goldwave trial version), the recording device was set to "Stereo Mix" (despite the mic being listed as the default device).

If changing your settings to match mine does not make it work or is not possible, them my guess is that its drivers.

Getting a USB mic MAY work. I can't really guarantee that since I can't duplicate or test the situation. I haven't tried that set up at all.

Getting a new sound card MAY work, but research the card first to see what other users say about that set up (recording mic and stereo mix together).

Okay, I'll put those settings on (or at least try to) and see what happens.

And no change whatsoever...

<insert a plethora of curse words here>

Okay, decided that I will buy a new soundcard. Any suggestions? It should be PCI-card, so I can stick it in the motherboard (ah, what a lovely image).

I've been eyeing Asus XONAR DG -card, but it says it's a soundcard/headphone amplifier. What the hell is that?

And if you have any other suggestions for an internal sound card, fire at will.

I bought that xonar DG card, and it did help. I think. It definitely boosted my recording volume, but I do have one question to you.

There's a setting called AEC. This greatly improves my mic and things like that, but if I enable it, does it use that boost in the recording too? When this is disabled, all the sounds are at a lower level, and when enabled, it rises. I have no idea what the "regular level" for average PC user is, so I don't know if they can hear me proper. When I record a clip with AEC on, does it record it at the same volume I can hear it? Or does it record it at the default volume and the audio card enhances it only for me?

Any way to be sure?

AEC = Acoustic Echo Cancellation

Whether or not it boosts your recording level is something you'll have to test yourself as I think it would vary depending on the card and I don't have that one.

Are your recordings better with this card?

Yeah, I can actually make them now. But as for the AEC, I can't really test it. If it's on, it boosts and if its off, it lowers the volume. I don't know if the boosted volume ended up in the recording, as the AEC does its magic when I listen stuff...

AEC boosts the playback volume? I thought it would only affect the mic.

So if you record with AEC enabled, do you notice a difference between the playback volumes when AEC enabled or disabled? (This is basically a repeat of my first question)