[Lonman]

Have you went into sound properties via the control panel? Look under the recording tab when the mic is plugged in, does it recognize anything plugged into that port? If it does, then go back on the taskbar in the lower right where the little speaker (sound) icon is & right click open volum mixer, you should also see the mic input here as well.
If it doesn't recognize the mic via the control panel, that mic is not compatible with the computer (Vista).

For best sound quality you might consider a small mixer, plug & your mic & laptop into it & then the mixer to a stereo system (preferred) or tv.