I finally got my microphone working in my new HP 530 laptop in linux. I recompiled the alsa drivers, following: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HdaIntelSoundHowto,
(arecord -l = card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: CONEXANT Analog [CONEXANT Analog]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
)
adding the option: options snd-hda-intel model=laptop-hp
then adjusted properties using alsamixer.
Much people are having the same problem. My headphone jack doesn't disable the speakers yet.
Everything else works fine. As a point to remember, I had to install jboss in vista in a hurry before wiping out that virus (vista) from my laptop. jboss started in 40 seconds in vista. In ubuntu it is starting in 17 seconds. Something just to keep in mind, right?