Ubuntu :: Skype / Pulseaudio Mic Not Working

I am using 8.04, Pulseaudio, Microsoft Lifechat USB headset and Skype on a Compaq 210. Pulse works fine for everything else. One day, it just stopped working for no apparent reason (only on the Skype mic) so I uninstalled and went back to ALSA (for a few reasons) but couldn't get that working either so now back to square one. When I boot Skype, all goes well, can place a test call, no errors. But on playback of the message it's pure fuzz, basically white noise, no sign of my voice. I've twiddled with just about every volume control and toggle I can find and then some, but nothing. Another interesting thing; Pulse is now NOT working unless I input 'pulseaudio -D' in a terminal after boot. Then it seems to be okay, 'cept the mic.

Strange as the mic works perfectly and crystal clear in Sound Recorder. No probs. So:

1/ How do I replace the recorded white noise in a Skype test call with my own mellifluous tones and;

2/ Where do I put 'pulseaudio -D' (what file) so it will be read and turn pulse on at boot?

Using Skype 2.1.0.47 (I know there is a newer version, .87 I think, but that was even more problematic). Another strange thing; the newer version (.87?) worked flawlessly for months before the mic just one day died (ONLY in Skype). As explained on my last thread; wife's uni/entertainment machine and me being the house computer dude, one of the reasons we use Linux is so I am not fixing Windows problems constantly. I only go near this machine when something goes pear-shaped so that is rarely. My wife doesn't tweak with her computer AT ALL.

Sound issues on this machine have been pretty much constant and I am really sick of it. I have two desktops running ALSA and Skype flawlessly with any USB headset AND they can ring incoming calls through the external speakers and you can take the call through the headset, something that is seemingly impossible for some reason in Pulse. Despite its bells and whistles, this is a serious oversight by Pulse developers in my opinion. (Unless I'm missing something and I've have searched for hours trying to fix THAT little mystery).