Front audio plugs and sound cards. I really should know this...

[Bucko]

I've never really used the front mic and headphone plugs in a computer before with a soundcard installed. When they are connected up to the MoBo, do they still work when you have a sound card, or is it only meant for when you are using the onboard sound?
My previous couple of cases haven't had them, and I lost the cable for my current case, so I haven't tried it out. I'm just wondering for when I put the Small Media PC together on whether or not it's worth hooking up.

[slytherock]

I second that question... Weird, I think we should know that... :think:

[FrooP]

it depends on the soundcard on the mobo, if turned it off in the bios it wont, but some or many soundcards have those connectors also ;)

[Bucko]

The soundcard doesn't have the connectors on it like the pins on the MoBo.
I'm using a Soundblaster 5.1 card. The MoBo is a Foxconn something or rather. I don't know the model number off hand.

[nil8]

If the onboard sound is disabled in bios, then no, it won't work.
If it's not disabled, but it's not listed as primary in windows, then it could.

Windows can deal with multiple sound devices without instability, it just requires a primary. Anyone who has had headphones in on one sound card and heared the sound through the speakers on another sound card can attest to this.

If it is the primary in windows(fat chance), then it will definitely work. Why would you use the crappy sound card as default when you have a SB5.1?

There are a couple of options around this. One is to figure out the pin layout of the headphone/mic ports and make a cable that connects into the ports on the back of your sound card.

The other is a bit more tricky, and doesn't always work. Figure out the pin layout on the headphone/mic ports and any pins on your sound card, then connect them together. This doesn't often work, but if you're lucky(and have the right hardware), then it might.

I hope this helps.