John:
On the PC when I was using the duel hrd configuration, skype was set to the default line in on the sound card.
On the laptop experiment, I'm not sure. While using remote desktop, the computer your remote controlling, uses a microsoft Remote Desktop vurtual sound driver. This shows up in your sound and audio devices.
Perhaps this is what skype needs to be set to. Each time I tried to remotely change some skype settings, skype would crash. So that might be an issue with skype and ms remote desktop.
I may have to go with a duel hrd setup like you and hopefully it will be stable or setup a 2ndary PC, to handle the skype audio.
Mike