Need help, front panel audio input not working properly?

[itzbilly]

Hi, I recently reformatted my computer and reinstalled Windows XP Professional. The last time I did it, it was with a "Ultimate" version of XP, which I no longer have in my possession. When I used the "Ultimate" version of XP, drivers were automatically downloaded for me or were provided (for Realtek audio). Before reformatting my computer, I could plug my headphones into the jacks in the front panel and they would work seamlessly. Clear audio input, clear audio output. After reformatting, I downloaded the codecs and drivers for my motherboard from the manufacturer website, since the XP I used this time did not provide them for me. Unfortunately, something may have gone wrong and I am unable to use my headphones' mic.

The main reasons I use my mic are for Skype and Steam. In "Sounds and Audio Devices Properties," I would have four choices for Voice recording (under the Voice tab). The four choices are: Mic in at front panel (Pink), Realtek HD Digital input, VF0380 Live! Cam Optia Pro, Realtek HDA Primary input.

When I go on Steam's settings, I go to the Voice tab and I click on 'Test microphone'. The choices that work are Mic in at front panel (Pink), and VF0380 Live! Cam Optia Pro. VF0380 Live! Cam Optia Pro's input volume is too low and nobody can hear me when I talk during the game and that is the primary reason I purchased the headset. When I use Mic in at front panel (Pink), either people can't hear me or they hear a loud shriek/squeaking noise that goes for as long as I hold the speak button (k in counter-strike, c in left 4 dead).

I have also tried 'Test hardware' under the Voice tab in Sounds and Audio Devices Properties. When testing under 'Mic in at front panel (Pink), there is no response received. I would say something and the bar next to the volume slider would go all the way up but I would not hear anything. I have tried testing with Realtek HDA Primary input but what happens is

Specs:
Windows XP Professional SP3
Gigabyte S-series GA-P35-DS3L motherboard
Intel Core2 Quad Q6600, clocked to 2.7GHz
2 x 1GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 ram
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT

Additional notes:
-Using Creative HS-600 as the headset (if it makes any difference)

Settings in Realtek HD Audio Manager:
-Sound Effect
-No changes from default
-Mixer
-Playback set to Realtek HD Audio output
-In the settings area, 'Advanced Controls' is checked but 'Enable playback multi-streaming' is left unchecked.
-Record set to Mic at front panel (Pink)
-In the settings area, 'Enable recording multi-streaming' is checked.
-Audio I/O
-Set to 2CH Speaker
-In the settings area, 'Mute rear panel output when front headphones plugged in' is unchecked
-Microphone
-'Select An Activated Device' is set to Mic in at front panel (Pink)
-'Noise Suppression' is selected
-'Beam Forming' is selected

Please help thanks in advance

[cauzomb]

Did you install ac97 or microsoft HD UAA bus driver?

[itzbilly]

Installed microsoft HD UAA bus driver.

[cauzomb]

Do you have it configured: speakers plugged into the back and headset w/mic in the front?

Did you get the pop up dialog box when you plugged in the headset/mic?

Have you gone through the steps mentioned in the manual for configuring speakers and also chapter 5-1-3 for setting up the microphone:

Step one:

"After installing the audio driver, the Audio Manager icon will appear in your system tray. Double-click the icon to access the Audio Control Panel.

step two:

Connect your microphone to the Mic in Jack "PINK" on the back pannel, or Line in Jack on the front pannel. Then configure the jack for microphone functionality. NOTE the microphone functions on the front panel and back panel cannot be used at the same time.

Step Three:

Locate the Volume icon in your system tray and click it to open the volume control panel.

Step Four:" ETC...

Sorry for all the questions, I'm not sure what all the settings do with that application in regards to multi streaming, try setting the "recording" multistreaming to disabled and retest. There's some mention of needing to install a microsoft kb888111 patch before installing the HD audio drivers, right from the begining durring a fresh install of xp, but since you are able to install the audio drivers, you probly don't need the patch. All I can think of suggesting is to double check all the settings that are available via the audio application, as well as via windows control panel/audio. Try changing some settings, then putting them back how they should be set/restart after each change, just incase..

[itzbilly]

Do you have it configured: speakers plugged into the back and headset w/mic in the front?

Yes

Did you get the pop up dialog box when you plugged in the headset/mic?

Yes

Have you gone through the steps mentioned in the manual for configuring speakers and also chapter 5-1-3 for setting up the microphone:

Step one:

"After installing the audio driver, the Audio Manager icon will appear in your system tray. Double-click the icon to access the Audio Control Panel.

step two:

Connect your microphone to the Mic in Jack "PINK" on the back pannel, or Line in Jack on the front pannel. Then configure the jack for microphone functionality. NOTE the microphone functions on the front panel and back panel cannot be used at the same time.

Step Three:

Locate the Volume icon in your system tray and click it to open the volume control panel.

Step Four:" ETC...

The only manual I can think of that you might be talking about is the manual for my motherboard; in which case, I have followed the instructions on plugging the wires in for the front panel correctly into the mobo. As for chapter 5-3-1(?), it's not available in my manual. In short, the answer would be no, I did not follow that set of instructions.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm not sure what all the settings do with that application in regards to multi streaming, try setting the "recording" multistreaming to disabled and retest. There's some mention of needing to install a microsoft kb888111 patch before installing the HD audio drivers, right from the begining durring a fresh install of xp, but since you are able to install the audio drivers, you probly don't need the patch. All I can think of suggesting is to double check all the settings that are available via the audio application, as well as via windows control panel/audio. Try changing some settings, then putting them back how they should be set/restart after each change, just incase..

[/quote]
I have checked on other forums where a similar problem is posted and right now I have the mic working but it is at an extremely inaudible level, where i will scream into the mic and it'll come out as a whisper when I play it back on Sound Recorder (both Front mic levels and Playback levels are maxed in Sounds panel).

[cauzomb]

Try checking in the mixer tab of the realtek audio control pannel/ see pic below. In your case, it would be unmuting/raising volume and possibly "boosting" the "FRONT" input rather than the REAR input shown in the image below.

In the Realtek control panel choose the Mixer tab...you will see Playback and at the bottom Recording...you would think the settings would be in recording...but they're not...they're in playback...
Scroll down the side of playback using the buttons until you get to FRONT PINK IN & REAR PINK IN...
By default both are muted and lowered

Image from post by Eddieman_94 at Rage3d.com

[itzbilly]

Already tried doing that, maxed volume and did mic boost but to no avail. Still as quiet as a whisper

[cauzomb]

I found this post at ncix: might be worth a shot;

THE LONG COMPLETE GUIDE :

1. Go to "Control Panel" , click icon "Add or Remove programs", find any “Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio" and uninstall it.

2. Open control panel again , click the icon "System", go to "HARDWARE" tab, then open the "device manager" , then go to "Sound and video game controllers" if you see any “Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio" left click disable it and uninstall it.

3. Go to "device manager again, check at the "System Devices" if there's any “Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio" left click disable it and uninstall it. Here ends the Bus driver cleaning steps.

4.Now you can successfully install realtek driver from your motherboard Driver CD and enjoy the sound.

[itzbilly]

My drivers installed without any problems. Should I really remove the UAA BUs Driver?

[cauzomb]

You may also want to go to your motherboard's download section at Gigabyte, get their manual and compare it to the one that came with the board, see if there isn't something in there that you might not have with the included manual; also, ensure that the front panel connector cable isn't too close to other components inside the system; some recommend running the front panel connector behind the motherboard tray, to prevent interference/crosstalk on the front panel wires; I've read a couple different posts that mention you CAN'T use the front and rear plugs at the same time, if you have speakers plugged into the rear, and headphones in the front, there may be some hardware/software switch that could effect the mic port as well. There's some conflicting info regarding using the included drivers, or the realtek downloads; and alot about the kb888111 patch, but ??
Have you tested other mic's? or your mic in another PC? tried wiggling the cable around or connector ~"gently" and listening for popping/fuzz? noise while moving the cable or gently wiggling at the connector while recording would indicate a bad connection or broken wire. Sorry I don't have a definate solution; I don't have this model board, and I'm going by what other people are posting about audio issues for your model board in other forums.. If the sound recording tests mentioned in the manual give you the same results as just trying to use your mic with your app's You could try removing the uaa audio driver and going with AC97 driver's and retest/reconfigure the mic/recording properties. There may also be the option of searching the web for the drivers that were including in the "ultimate" version of your OS, unless they are specific to VISTA, I don't know if XP came in an "ultimate" version, I do know that there is a home/media center or pro version of XP and VISTA was the one that said "ULTIMATE" and does include TONS of the latest drivers for VISTA. Earlier you mentioned that you went from XP "ULTIMATE" to another version of XP, did you mean vista Ultimate? If so, then nevermind about searching for the drivers that were included in the "ULTIMATE" version of your OS.