Comment 14 for bug 460118

Well I have been exploring this problem on a forum thread - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1333343&page=3

Like everyone else, I had no luck with the standard 2.6.32 kernel. When I upgraded it using the kernel-team ppa to 2.6.35-2-generic #3~lucid1-Ubuntu SMP the mic and video started working. But a strange thing was that starting the video stopped the mic working until I removed the gspca_sonixj kernel module and reinstalled it.

In summary:
1. Install kernel 2.6.35-2-generic #3~lucid1-Ubuntu SMP
2. Open Sound Preferences, and select Input tab.
3. Make noise - input level meter goes up and down.
4. Start video app (doesn't matter which) in this case Cheese.
5. Video displayed on screen, but making noise no longer moves input level meter in Sound Preferences.
6. Close down Cheese, and input level meter still not responding.
7. sudo rmmod gspca_sonixj
8. Mic still not responding.
9. sudo modprobe gspca_sonixj
10. Mic works again (until video is used again).

So something has changed between kernels 2.6.32 and 2.6.35 which makes the mic work, but there is something wrong with the gspca_sonixj module that makes it hang when using the video.