I’m not a Windows Elf either, but one thing to check:
- Ensure that the mic is securely connected to a USB socket
- Reboot the computer.
- Open the Task manager and triple check that no audio applications have auto-started on boot-up.
- Open the Windows Sound Control Panel
- Go to the Recording tab and identify the AT2005USB mic.
- Speak into the mic (or gently scratch the grill of the mic with your nail (don’t “tap” the mic or blow into it - mechanical shocks can break condenser mics)
You should see a green meter, to the right of the AT2005USB icon, jumping up and down in response to the sound.
Does that happen?