Legit Reviews

Hi everyone,

I've just recently installed a brand new D975XBX2 Bad Axe 2 into my comp to replace the ASUS mobo (which died). Running on a fresh install of XP SP2 and the only problem I've run into so far would be with the audio setup with my front audio ports.

Mobo: D975XBX2
Case: P180
BIOS: 2792

The previous setup (with the ASUS mobo) worked like this: pair of 2.0 speakers plug into the back green port and whenever I plugged my headset + mic into the front audio ports, the sound on the speakers would stop and work through the headset (which was fine) and the mic worked.

Problem is now, I can't get the mic to work in the front panel but it works in the back audio ports just fine, the REALLY wierd thing is I can get sound through to my headset from using the front audio port but the speakers don't cut out like they did before (not really bothered by this).

I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

P.S the front audio cable should of been plugged into the yellow coloured jumper box on the mobo right?


Thanks in advance!

-Malo

As best I've been able to come up with, the audio ports on your case are for AC97 audio devices.
Your board doesn't have AC97, it only supports HD audio.
The wire configuration is different between the two.

I gave up all together on mine.
Used a Y splitter on the rear speaker port to run my headphones and plugged the MIC into the rear port.
Only other options I could come up with was either buying a high $$$$ case with HD ports on the front, or changing the wires in the case plug.
Wasn't worth all that to me.

Forgot to mention ...
I did get the front speaker jack to work by using the Sigmatel drivers for audio.
But for some reason, while using those drivers, Vista would crash on a daily basis.
Uninstalled them and now using the built in Microsoft HD audio drivers.

Many thanks for the reply.

I've done some research on my case with it using the AC97 audio standard.

From what the support site from Intel says, there are drivers which support the AC97 standard but from what your saying, this motherboard only supports HD audio on the hardware side.

Even though there are AC97 drivers available for this motherboard (see link) it looks like I won't be able to enjoy using my front ports ever again.

LINK: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_ ... bmit=Go%21

One thing I don't understand though, when I checked for the audio drivers I found there were 3 downloads, which one should I be getting to begin with? (refer to link and see for yourself the 2 different audio options, one of them gives you the option to download two audio drivers as well)

Malo wrote: One thing I don't understand though, when I checked for the audio drivers I found there were 3 downloads, which one should I be getting to begin with? (refer to link and see for yourself the 2 different audio options, one of them gives you the option to download two audio drivers as well)

Sorry for the tardy reply.
Had to boot into XP to find out which driver I'm using there.
Turns out the that the one I'm using isn't even on the list.
Don't know where the hell I got it. (Off the install disc maybe??)
Anyway, it's release number is 5.10.5143 with a date of 7/27/2006

I spend very little time in XP any more and when I got everything to work I stopped messing with drivers there.

Guess I ain't much help huh??

Thanks for the reply, I might give the disc that came with the motherboard a go and see if that makes any difference.

Only problem now is, where did I put it.

I think my 2nd post might be a bit misleading Malo.
The front ports on my case don't work in XP either.
But since I don't use XP much anyway, I wasn't concerned about it and never tried to fix it.

I did see some info on the Intel site that told which header pin to hook each wire to on the BadAxe2 if you wanted to use AC97 ports.
Unfortunately I have no idea where it was and I haven't been able to find since.
Best I remember, the pin-out diagram is in the book for the board header, but in order to change the case port wiring, I was gonna have to figure out which wire went to which part of which port.
Too much trouble as far as I was concerned, so I never paid much attention to the aforementioned directions.

Edit = Check this out ... http://www.intel.com/support/motherboar ... 015851.htm

The included audio software is terrible, and should be replaced with the newer software, Intel® Audio Studio. The install file is inside the driver that comes with the board, but the other audio program is installed. what you need to do is uninstall the included audio software, and install the new one, and all of the front pannel issues disappear...