Front panel connector issues

[neigenoire]

I recently upgraded to a new motherboard (Asus M5A97 LE R2.0) as my old one was dying. Having a couple issues with the front panel and the cables.

In the front panel of my chassis I have 2 USB ports, 2 audio ports and a memory card reader. The card reader is the only one that works, it's plugged into one of the 3 USB connectors on the motherboard.

According to the manufacturer's manual, the AAFP connector on the board is for the front audio (10-1 pin), I have only one that fits it so naturally I plugged it in. However, I get no audio when I plug in my headphones at the front. They work fine when plugged in the back panel. (Not a huge issue as it didn't work with the previous motherboard as well and I'm used to it by now.)

Then, the only cable coming from the font panel that's left is this one: http://i.imgur.com/vQmi6zp.jpg
It's a single cable that splits at the end into two 4 pin connectors. I would assume it's the front USB 2.0 connector, but I have nowhere on the motherboard to plug it in. At least nothing that has exactly 4 pins in a row. Also, it's not 10-1 pin as standard USB 2.0 connectors, which is very weird.

 

[neigenoire]

Actually, nevermind. I found what to do with them in the manual. They are indeed USB connectors that go on the USB pins on the board. Turns out there are different types of USB 2.0 connectors, and I didn't know that.

However, if someone has a clue about the front audio not working, it would be nice to hear it.

 

[PhatLloyd]

You are correct on that one, the cable you have in your hand is for the front USB and should be plugged into the top row of the usb mobo pins labeled F_USB1. Seeing that you have 2 front usb ports the other cable should also go into the F_USB2 pin set. The front audio cable should be plugged into the F_AUDIO GREEN pin set (not white).

Let me know if you need anymore help. I know a lot about front panels and mobo pin sets, not to blow my own trumpet.

This thread might help, not sure it would though
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2378167/connect-front-panel-audio-pins.html

 

[neigenoire]

Well, the color of the front audio pin set (AAFP - as it's called in the manual and on the board itself) is black and there are no other 10-1 pin sets on the board. I'm sure it's plugged in correctly. Perhaps it just doesn't work period. I forgot to test if the mic works though.

 

[neigenoire]

Yeah, the mic also won't work when plugged in the front panel. :/

 

[neigenoire]

Switching Connector Settings from HD Audio to AC97 in the Realtek Audio Manager fixed the issue, the front panel audio works now. Interestingly enough in the BIOS it's set to HD Audio not AC97.

The background noise that I get from the front jack is pretty loud and annoying though.