Can't record sound after updates

[Peter O'Doherty]

Hi,

After installing a number of updates yesterday (unfortunately I can't 
remember which) I am unable to record sound using Sound recorder or 
Audacity. My assumption is that one of the updates messed with this.
I tried changing the settings in PulseAudio Volume control but to no avail.
I'm running 11.04 on a PackardBell laptop.
Please let me know what other information I need to provide to find out 
where the problem might be.

Many thanks,
Peter

ps. is it not a bit strange that Ubuntu should force me to install 
updates which directly affect the usability of certain programs?