We're getting complaints that our recorder doesn't work in Vista.

It may be that you have the recorder disabled in Vista or your computer manufacturer may have built your computer so that you cannot record what you play.

Let's start by examining your OS first.

By default, the only enabled recoding input devices are Microphone and Line In which would mean that you can't record a sound played on your computer. To enable additional inputs, log on with elevated administrator rights and follow these steps.

In the Control Panel Classic View click Sound.

In the Standard View click Hardware and Sound.

Right click on a white space and select Show Disabled Devices from the pop-up menu.

Now you should see all the devices available.
Right click and select Enable for each device that you want to use.

If you see a Stereo Mix device or something similar such as wave mix or mixer to record sounds being played through a media player select that control...

Click the Set Default button

You will have to change the default to use other devices as your input source.

If you do not see a Stereo Mix device or something similar it may be disabled at the hardware level. Some manufacturers have disabled recording so you will not see a Stereo Mix control. Dell says that they will enable the device in new systems but does not offer a workaround. Sony says maybe, maybe not. Searching the web for solutions shows numerous case where using a different driver works but in some cases the only workaround is to use an external sound card or to connect your speakers to your microphone jack as demonstrated below.

XP Recording Problems