Problem with sound card

[Tallon]

I installed a sound blaster audigy SE card, but I don't get any sound when i plug my speaker into it. I get sound when I plug the speakers into the onboard audio, I tried disabling the onboard sound and enabling the sound card in the divice manager but nothing changed. What can I do?

[Panama Red]

Disable the onboard in the BIOS and make sure you have the drivers installed for the SB card.

[Tallon]

Thanks that worked great, but when I plug headphones into the front port nothing happens, I still have them connected to the onboard audio. I think there was an Aux In on the sound card but there is no lable to which goes where.

[Panama Red]

There should be a front panel connector or audio out on that card I think. Did you check the manual?

[Tallon]

There is a connector but the manual doesn't give the order I should put them in

[Panama Red]

Doesn't look like those connectors support the case connections. I think they are used when you install the Audigy front panel in a 5.25" bay. Do your speakers have a headphone jack on the front?

[Tallon]

no, I use monitor speakers

[Panama Red]

I think you're looking at an either/or situation unfortunately. Both need to plug into the green connector on the sound card. Don't think there's a way to configure the card for both to work on separate ports.

[Tallon]

I plan on getting new speakers soon, if I get ones with a headphone port on them then that would work right? What if I wanted to use a mic also, that will need to be plugged into the card slot?

[Panama Red]

Yup, get speakers with the headphone jack. The mic jack may or may not be required for the speaker configuration. It depends on the speakers you buy. A 2.1 set w/headphone jack would leave the mic jack available but a 5.1 would use the mic jack as a speaker output I think. Check your manual for proper configuration of a 5.1 to be sure.

[Tallon]

Would I be better off just using the onboard audio? Having to reach back behind my computer and and unplug/plug in stuff everytime I want to switch between speakers and headphones sounds like a pain.

[Panama Red]

I doubt you'd notice much difference as long as you're using the monitor speakers. Onboard would be just as good. If you use a quality set of speakers or plan to record thru the sound card, then consider using the Audigy.

[Tallon]

Is there a way to switch between onboard audio when I want to use headphones/mic and the soundcard when I want to use my speakers?

[glc]

http://www.welovemacs.com/6200001.html

Leave the mic plugged in and just mute it in the audio control panel when you aren't using it.

[Tallon]

Thanks for the help, I'll look into getting one of those.