Volumes reset to mute when I turn my mac on??

the normal output volume is saved when you turn your mac off, but for some reason the input volume and sound effects are reset to mute when i turn it back on, why is this? does anybody else have this problem its just incredibly tidious especially when you go to talk to someone on ichat only to find they cant hear and after about 10 seconds you realise and have to open up system preferences and change everything, also it means i don't hear when my mail arrives too.