problem with mic

[root <abioommen@xxxxxxxxx>]

hi guys,
    I was just on the brink of frustration with my linux 'coz it could
not support my yamaha YMF soundcard , until red hat 7 came with a
compatible driver. thank God!
     but now I am having a problem with my mic. the sound recorder
program refuses to record my voice! says "another program is running" .
every thing spoken into the mic is directly amplified into the speakers.
anyone has any idea how I can get my mic to start working properly?
please mail me bak at abioommen@xxxxxxxxxx thanks!!