How did you selected the alternate drivers.If Linux doesn't see the mic then ask for your money back. Plugging in that mic after looking at the 'dmesg' with it unplugged in will show you what Linux has seen with that mic. You can also open a terminal and type the code 'dmesg' which shows you all the items that Linux has discovered when powering up. When powered up plug it in to see it works. If all else fails temporarily power up your PC from Linux on a USB stick. As a temporary measure connect it to the PC via a powered USB hub. The other thought is that it appears to need a good 5V power from the USB port. You have a switch at the back that has 3 positions and have you tried wiggling it around? And when it works the red indicator light should be on. Looking at the spec, etc, there are a number of possibilities that I can think of that will stop it working.
