Having Trouble With Headset

First of all, I'd like to address the fact that this thread is on the wrong board, but I'll be honest and say I picked it because so many people are viewing, and I really need some help. I don't exactly know where to put this thread, so if a mod feels the need to move this, go ahead. I am using Windows XP, though.Anyway, my friend let me have his old headset a few months ago, and it, basically, isn't working very well. For some reason, some days it works decently, and others not at all. I've found out that for the times it does work, I need to have the mic right up to my lips, and even then my friends have a hard time hearing me. My headset is always turned on, and I have the sensitivity all the way up. It's one of those headsets where two jacks come out the end, one a headphone and another a microphone jack. They are both firmly stuck into my motherboard.