how to tuern of a laptop microphoone, please!!!!!

[FairLadyRantALot]

I can't seem to be able to turn it off, looked around my Laptop but it doesn't seem to be obvious..can anyone help me? PLEASE>>>>>>>>>>>> because if I put my laptop to sleep and close the lid it makes a horrendous screeching noise...sigh

Is there an icon at the bottom of the screen on the left hand side, next to the clock? That's where it is on mine.

Sorry - I mean the right hand side.

hm...but than I don't have any sound? As that is also the speaker, iykwim....is there not a way to have speakers on, but microphone turned off?

On mine it is: press the blue function key (Fn)and F8 at the same time.