I can't get my front audio jacks to work..

[Punknoodle]

Hi,

So I've built a PC using a Gigabyte Sniper Z87 motherboard, which has the Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D audio chipset, Intel Core i5 4670K CPU, in a Corsair 230T case.

The lead coming from the front of the case is labelled HD AUDIO and has the same pin design as the socket on the motherboard labelled F_AUDIO. I have it plugged in there.

I have the latest drivers from Gigabyte for my audio chipset, the Sound Blaster software is all installed, and I get the proper sound from the rear jacks, but I just can't get anything out of the front.

When I go to Sound settings and click on my sound card, it shows the rear jacks but not the front jacks.

I'm running Windows 8 64-Bit OEM.

I've looked in the manual for the motherboard and it doesn't say I have to enable anything.

Quite frustrating, does anyone have any tips?

Thanks.

 

[20832]

Is there any other plug for the front audio on your motherboard, you might be able to utilize? If so, try that one.
I'm not quite sure whether or not this is possible, but in some cases, you're able to unplug the cable from front panel PCB itself, maybe that's loose?

It's definitely worth checking, because it might be a problem with the cable/connectors from the cases rather than from the board.

 

[Coxis]

I hardly doubt this is the issue, but there are two types of front panel audio jacks and headers, AC'97 and Intel HD Audio. From the OP I can see that your computer case has HD Audio front jacks, so maybe your motherboard has AC'97 headers and they're incompatible. Check your MB manual.

 

[Punknoodle]

I hardly doubt this is the issue, but there are two types of front panel audio jacks and headers, AC'97 and Intel HD Audio. From the OP I can see that your computer case has HD Audio front jacks, so maybe your motherboard has AC'97 headers and they're incompatible. Check your MB manual.

The motherboard accepts both types, default is HD audio according to the book. It is the only socket on the board.

I'll check the front panel though, just need to figure out how to get to it lol

 

[20832]

The motherboard accepts both types, default is HD audio according to the book. It is the only socket on the board.

I'll check the front panel though, just need to figure out how to get to it lol

Pull off the front panel, the Front PCB should be secured with two screws, simply un-do them and pull it out gently. You should be able to see the connectors then!

 

[Punknoodle]

Pull off the front panel, the Front PCB should be secured with two screws, simply un-do them and pull it out gently. You should be able to see the connectors then!

Yeah I've removed the front panel and inspected the jacks, all the connections are fine. So I'm still at a loss.

 

[20832]

Yeah I've removed the front panel and inspected the jacks, all the connections are fine. So I'm still at a loss.

Just a little question of the side, were these connectors glued or "real" connectors?

Anyways, I'm seriously out of options. Another possibility would be a faulty cable? Do you still have a slightly newer case? I'd probably connect the cable of that case to my motherboard header and see, if it's really the motherboard header. If you don't want to do this, or do not have an old case or anything, I'd probably contact the retailer you got all of your stuff from and see what he has to say. You're probably going to have to either RMA the board or the case, because personally I think it's more likely that it's a faulty cable rather than a problem with the motherboard.
Simply because I already had to deal twice with the quality control that Corsair lacked so much in recent years.

 

[Punknoodle]

The cable coming in to the front header is soldered directly to the jacks.

Unfortunately I have no other case to test it on.

 

[Coxis]

Do you have an extra sound card you could test the headers on?

At this point it's either the motherboard headers or case that are defective. If I were you I'd exchange the case for a new one as that's what's most likely at fault.