Problem with new custom built computer?

Question

I recently just built a new computer using parts that I picked myself. Everything goes fine except for the headphone and microphone jacks on the front panel of my computer.

It does not work. There is no response at all. I do not know what the problem is. There is microphone jack in the back of my computer and I tried that one, but it still did not work. The computer recognized it but didn't work. I have made sure that i connect the wires from the front panel of my computer to the motherboard correctly.

It is an ECS motherboard. Not the best brand..I know. Anyone know what the problem could be?

btw: my computer case is the Apevia x-qpack 2 if that helps

thanks

Answer 1

Try switching the cables around. Can you get any sound out of your PC? If not, then your sound card is dead.

Answer 2

Switch the cables around.  Sometimes they're mislabeled in the manual.

Answer 3

Well first thing is to get the Mic Jack to work on the back of the computer.  

I'm assuming you are using the onboard soundcard that came with the motherboard?  

If this is the case, then make sure all drivers are working.  Then test the line out (green output) of the back of the computer and see if you can get sound.  If that works, but the mic Jack doesn't, then chances are you got a faulty soundcard.  If that doesn't work either, then you might have the onboard sound disabled in the BIOS.  

Once you get the back of the computer Mic working, then you can see about plugging it in up front.  But you need to make sure the soundcard is working, before you start trying to get it to work up front.

Answer 4

Sometimes the Video Card of your system try's to take over the sound controls, I don't know why, and I can't remember the fix, but I saw it in the ComputerBuildersBible 2008 by Maximum PC [special magazine edition]

Just search the problem on google, somebody else is bound to have had the same problem, and they'll have asked and gotten an answer

Answer 5

Make sure your audio drivers are installed.  Then go to the control panel or whatever settings interface the drivers have and check to see that there isn't a setting for which output (front or back) gets sound.

Sometimes there are both "AC'97" and "HD Audio" cables that can be plugged into the headers on your motherboard.  Check to see that the right one was plugged in.