Aspire 5732Z; does it have a switch controlling the microphone?

The microphone in my Aspire 5732Z is not working. I know it has a microphone because a year or two ago I had used this laptop a few times for SKYPE conversations with others. But I tried to use it recently using ZOOM to group chat with my grand-kids and I had to use my smartphone so they could hear me. So, is there a switch, physical or electronic (settings) that controls the microphone. I did select both video and audio in ZOOM with no luck. Or am I going to have to take it to a technician to figure out if it has a problem? I've looked through the 11 page manual for this model and I don't see any reference to a microphone in terms of activating it.

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JackE

Remove any audio device, like headphone or headset or external speakers, plugged into the audio/mic jacks. Then right click on the speaker icon in the right tray. Click 'recording devices'. In the box that pops up, do you see a microphone with a green check? If yes, click on it. Then click properties button near the bottom. Then click 'levels' tab. Make sure microphone sound levels and boost levels are at max. Jack E/NJ

Fredo1

I attached a screen shot of the three windows you described, but they don't have the fields or icons you mention. Instead of a green check mark there was a red down arrow. Does that mean a problem with the mike ?

Microphone Issue.docx

JackE

>>> I know it has a microphone because a year or two ago I had used this laptop a few times for SKYPE conversations with others. >>>

Do you perhaps recall using an external microphone that was plugged into the mic jack when using skype? The reason I ask is that it's not entirely clear from the info available to me that this particular model ever had an internal builtin mic. Jack E/NJ