I built my computer November 1st 2007. Ever since then I haven't been able to get the front mic or audio ports to work. My front USB ports work fine though. I just recently started wanting to use them, so I didn't worry much about it until now.

I reinstalled all my audio drivers and chipset drivers, specifically the vista 64-bit ones (thats my OS) included on the motherboard disc. My rear audio works fine. Also, I'm 100% positive that the front audio cable is plugged into the motherboard correctly.

Whenever I plug something into the mic or audio port, it goes in fine, but my computer doesn't detect it.

Computer info:

XFX, Nvidia 650i Ultra motherboard.

Integrated Realtek audio.

Apevia X-Cruiser case (just in case it might be something wrong with the case)

I really appreciate any help!

Before I look up your front panel connections and your mobo, let me ask you what speakers are you using? Does it have a separate (remote) volume control? Mine has jacks for both on the side
Mark

Thanks for the reply!

My speakers are a 2.1, Altec Lansing brand (I don't know the model and can't find them on their website). They just have the one green colored audio plug for the whole set up (plus power cord of course). The only volume control on them is the little knob on the right speaker. It doesn't matter what kind of speakers I plug in anyway, or the mic I plug into the mic port.

I should also add that when I plug something into my back audio ports, the little Realtek icon pops up saying a jack has been plugged in, and a jack has been unplugged when I unplug something. When I plug in something into one of the front mic or audio ports, nothing pop's up.

I haven't found a detailed enough picture, for my old eyes, of your motherboard. Do you remember attaching the front audio connectors? You're going to have to look closely at the connector to see what's stamped on it. Hopefully it will look like the one on the right
pic. 1 10 pin on the right
Then look on your motherboard and see if the audio header looks like this
pic. 2
Mark

Ya, my connections look exactly like those ones, and I have them plugged into each other. I double checked yesterday to make sure and they are snugly connected.

I'm really stumped except maybe the front ports are either just bad or theres a short in the cable. Maybe I should see if I can remove the front of my case and make sure the cables look alright.

Like which one the 5 or 10 pin?
Mark

It's the 10 pin kind.

I e-mailed Apevia and was quite surprised when I received an e-mail back in about only three hours. The guy said the problem is most likely due to the fact that the case uses the older AC97 cables while most new motherboards have been using the new HDA/Azalia audio. He said I might be able to change my motherboard settings to AC97, but I looked through the bios and couldn't find anything. So does anyone have any idea's on how to switch this? I really appreciate any help!

That's what I was kind of getting to. I did have a work-around, it'll take me a while to track it down
Mark
Found it. They also sell the plate it snapns into. the whole thing fits in a small drive bay
http://www.frontx.com

Ahh, Thank you so much!

Let me do a double check on your motherboard to make sure
Mark

After downloading the instruction manual for your case
http://www.apevia.com/
and going over your mobo manual, everything you have should work. You board supports High Definition Audio and the front speaker plug is HDA compliant. If you look at page 9 of your manual you'll see the front audio header at the back ( by the I/O's) on the left side, item # 16. It will have a series of jumpers on it, similar to the jumpers on a hard drive. Remove those and that's where you plug the cable in from the front. The plug should be one-directional. Check the plug, one hole might be blocked, so you don't bend any pins. If you every decide to remove the front connectors, you'll have to replace the jumpers
Mark

Thanks for taking the time to look this info up! I have the cable plugged into that exact spot on the motherboard (and of course in the right way because of the one pin missing). I don't remember there being any jumpers on the pins themselves, and I don't see any.

No biggy, it looked like it from the picture. Big question is,, does it work?
Mark

No it still doesn't work . I'm starting to think maybe something is just broken. I was also thinking maybe I should flash my bios? I know how to do it, but I'm not sure which bios version I have now, and I don't want to skip a bios update in between because I heard you should do them in increments. Is there any programs that will let me do this? My actual bios doesn't tell me the version, and everest says unkown bios.

I would first update the Realtek audio driver Yours is here
On page 15 of your manual it says that this section will cover the installation of the front audio header,but scrolling through the pages I see no other mention of it.
Browsing around the BIOS setup guide in your manual, on page 54, it is mentioned there is a setting foe HD Audio. A quick Google search provided nothing relevant, so I'm not sure what that is
Mark
Can't link directly to the driver page, you'll have to enter your serial number

I have the same problem But I have a different motherboard. I have a GA-P35-DS3L rev 2.0

I have an CoolerMaster Elite 330

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811119115

It has a fixed front_panel audio block that perfectly fits the F_panel pins of the Gigabyte mobo.

I read some people saying about AC97 thing ..

I wish I could make the Front panel mic and headphone jack to work

Any advice for me?

Thanks

My audio drivers are up to date (those ones exact). I went everywhere through my bios looking for an option for the HD Audio thing, but there was nothing. I will look again though.

keplenk,
If you have a problem you would like to discuss, please start your own topic.
This will help to avoid the confusion, of trying to help two or more people, in the same thread, with different problems.
Even if your problem is similar to the original poster's problem, the solution could be totally different due to different hardware, software, system requirements, etc....
This is also known as hijacking a thread, which is not considered to be proper forum etiquette.

Go it tq1911,

sorry about that

Further research has provided many links:
http://www.intel.com
http://support.intel.com/support
http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards
I would look in your motherboard's installation CD for anything dealing with Universal Audio Architecture
I usually don't recommend BIOS updates, but this case might warrant one and possibly fix the situation