<ninja edit> <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006" target="_blank">Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $79.99 on Newegg</a> (What I happily use at the moment, not sure about your needs and budget though.) Not sure about Vista compatibility either, har. </edit>
Thanks so far. Unfortunately I have the Creative Audigy2 Platinum, with the front mounted panel. It's no longer manufactured so if I want the identical replacement it'd be pretty expensive - <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102014" target="_blank">clicky</a>.
I don't think you have to use the bios, if you just go into sound/audio settings you can change you audio out device. Your onboard sound should be listed there, it's just a little pulldown menu.
I'm not positive I do. Iirc I have the <a href="http://www.uabit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=48&page=1&model=269" target="_blank">ABIT SG-80</a>.
Got the onboard sound working BUT, I have to use my old Altec Lansing powered speakers (that go through a combination powered sub woofer / amp) to get any volume.
I bought pigtails to convert 4 speaker wires into 2 phone jacks and when I plugged them in the volume was so weak I had to ditch it.
The mobo manual says I have 5.1 sound, the jumpers are correct, the volume is full blast, so I dunno.
If I run the Altec Lansing speakers (which go through an amp in the powered subwoofer) stereo sound is excellent. If I hook up 4 speakers using the 2 into 1 pigtails I can get four channel sound BUT it's so weak I can't use it. Yes the volume is full blast.
Guess I'll settle for good stereo, better than the nothing I had before. Thanks for the help everyone. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
<!--quoteo(post=1651790:date=Sep 24 2007, 07:30 PM:name=Depot)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Depot @ Sep 24 2007, 07:30 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651790"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Got the onboard sound working BUT, I have to use my old Altec Lansing powered speakers (that go through a combination powered sub woofer / amp) to get any volume.
I bought pigtails to convert 4 speaker wires into 2 phone jacks and when I plugged them in the volume was so weak I had to ditch it.
The mobo manual says I have 5.1 sound, the jumpers are correct, the volume is full blast, so I dunno.
If I run the Altec Lansing speakers (which go through an amp in the powered subwoofer) stereo sound is excellent. If I hook up 4 speakers using the 2 into 1 pigtails I can get four channel sound BUT it's so weak I can't use it. Yes the volume is full blast.
Guess I'll settle for good stereo, better than the nothing I had before. Thanks for the help everyone. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You just need an amplifier for your audio out cables. You are splitting your voltage between all the speakers right now, so they are only able to give 1/2 the volume that only 1 speaker plug would. You can fix this though, look for a headphone splitter that needs a AA battery or something, not one that is just wires soldered together.
Comments
Enable onboard sound in the BIOS.
Install drivers for onboard sound.
<ninja edit>
<a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006" target="_blank">Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $79.99 on Newegg</a>
(What I happily use at the moment, not sure about your needs and budget though.)
Not sure about Vista compatibility either, har.
</edit>
I bought pigtails to convert 4 speaker wires into 2 phone jacks and when I plugged them in the volume was so weak I had to ditch it.
The mobo manual says I have 5.1 sound, the jumpers are correct, the volume is full blast, so I dunno.
If I run the Altec Lansing speakers (which go through an amp in the powered subwoofer) stereo sound is excellent. If I hook up 4 speakers using the 2 into 1 pigtails I can get four channel sound BUT it's so weak I can't use it. Yes the volume is full blast.
Guess I'll settle for good stereo, better than the nothing I had before. Thanks for the help everyone. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
I bought pigtails to convert 4 speaker wires into 2 phone jacks and when I plugged them in the volume was so weak I had to ditch it.
The mobo manual says I have 5.1 sound, the jumpers are correct, the volume is full blast, so I dunno.
If I run the Altec Lansing speakers (which go through an amp in the powered subwoofer) stereo sound is excellent. If I hook up 4 speakers using the 2 into 1 pigtails I can get four channel sound BUT it's so weak I can't use it. Yes the volume is full blast.
Guess I'll settle for good stereo, better than the nothing I had before. Thanks for the help everyone. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You just need an amplifier for your audio out cables. You are splitting your voltage between all the speakers right now, so they are only able to give 1/2 the volume that only 1 speaker plug would. You can fix this though, look for a headphone splitter that needs a AA battery or something, not one that is just wires soldered together.