Installed SSD, now barely audible audio on Win7/Linux

[Someguitarist86]

I've done a lot of Googling and searching for this, with no help. Anything you can offer would be great!

The situation; I installed a new SSD two days ago and reinstalled Windows 7. For some reason, my audio is barely audible at 100%, and it sounds a little scratchy. I am using headphones on onboard audio on a Z87 Extreme6.

I have tried; Different headphones. Trying both headphones on a CD player, they sound fine. Uninstalling and reinstalling drivers. Uninstalling Realtek HD and using Windows drivers. Using the newest Realtek drivers. Using the Realtek drviers provided with my mobo. Setting 'Enchancements' on and off. Turning On the Loudness enhancement.

In frustration, I decided to make a Linux boot CD. When I boot into Linux, I have the same thing. It is barely audible at 100%. It lets me turn it up past 100%, and at it's maximum (250%) it's STILL a little less then I would have liked it.

Right now, I can use the headphone jack on the monitor using Audio over HDMI and it sounds fine in Win7. So have I damaged the mobo somehow?!? All I did was plug in a SATA cable for the new SSD!!

Thanks for any help!

 

[gamerxavier]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/Open-the-Playing-Audio-troubleshooter

Under the audio settings where all of your audio devices are located. Have you attempted any adjustments here?
Is the realtek audio showing up or generic?

test the issue in safe mode?

If nothing comes out and given it's effected 2 different operating systems it could be a motherboard issue.
It would be odd. But, that's the thing with computers. The most unusual stuff likes to break at weird times.

 

[Someguitarist86]

Thanks for taking your time to respond!

I actually did try the Audio Troubleshooter, with no luck. Realtek Audio is showing up under Device Manager. I also uninstalled that and tried Generic Audio which had the same issue. I then re-installed the newest Realtek HD Audio. Also at about 10% of volume.

I haven't thought to try it in Safe Mode. I won't be home until way later tonight, but I'll definitely give it a try. I think that since it doesn't seem to be working across Windows OR Linux, I'm not convinced it'll work, but it doesn't hurt to give it a shot.

Thanks. And if you've got any more advice, keep it coming!

 

[Someguitarist86]

Resolved. For anyone that has this problem, for me it was in fact a hardware problem with the motherboard. While putting it back together for the umpteenth time, I (while grounded) touched the audio jack component on the MB and realized it was loose. I lightly pushed it into the motherboard and it snapped into a more 'seated' position. It's now working as intended. I'm too lazy to return it for RMA, so as long as it works I'll leave it be. Maybe I'll attempt to re-solder the joints later.

I selected gamerxavier as best answer for offering to help. Thanks!