K8V SE Soundmax only putting out mono sound

[calaf]

I bought a computer equipped with a K8V SE Deluxe motherboard from
someone on ebay who built the computer from scratch. Unfortunately,
I've discovered the soundmax soundcard puts out only mono sound through
the back (green) speaker jack. Somehow the computer does play stereo
sound through a front headphone jack however. I've uninstalled the
Soundmax software and reinstalled it but I still get mono sound rather
than stereo. Any adjustment to the Soundmax Control panel results only
in a reboot. The sound does not improve after the reboot.

I have no serial number for the motherboard. The seller on ebay did not
provide it for me.

What can I do to get stereo sound out through the middle (green) jack?

 

[Paul]

I bought a computer equipped with a K8V SE Deluxe motherboard from
someone on ebay who built the computer from scratch. Unfortunately,
I've discovered the soundmax soundcard puts out only mono sound through
the back (green) speaker jack. Somehow the computer does play stereo
sound through a front headphone jack however. I've uninstalled the
Soundmax software and reinstalled it but I still get mono sound rather
than stereo. Any adjustment to the Soundmax Control panel results only
in a reboot. The sound does not improve after the reboot.

I have no serial number for the motherboard. The seller on ebay did not
provide it for me.

What can I do to get stereo sound out through the middle (green) jack?

You need to put the two jumpers back on the FP_AUDIO header
and then test the rear green jack. See PDF page 52 for the
location of the jumper plugs.

http://www.asuscom.de/pub/ASUS/mb/sock754/k8v_se_dx/e1491_k8v_se_deluxe.pdf

If the rear jack works when the jumpers are in place, but you
are getting mono sound when the computer case audio connector
is installed, it is either a wiring error, or the case jack
is broken.

If you want further help, list the names printed on the wires
in the computer case, and I'll tell you which FP_AUDIO pins
to connect them to.

Here is an "ASCII art" picture of the wiring. An interrupting
type computer jack for headphones has five wires. An
incompatible jack has three wires. The purpose of the
interrupting jack, is when the headphones are plugged in,
the return line contacts open, and then no signal shows up on
the lime colored jack on the back of the computer (to mute the
speakers). With a three wire (incompatible) jack, you only get
sound from the front of the computer. Make sure the return
lines from the headphone jack are connected to the BLINE_OUT_x
return signals. The jumpers have to be removed, in order to
install the wires. Your Ebay seller may have pocketed the
jumpers.

(Note: Google messes up these drawings, so if you are using
Google to view this, it won't look right.)

Signal path:

From sound chip, to Tip and Ring contacts on the front jack,
then back through the return contacts 2-3 and 4-5 and then back
to the FP_AUDIO header, and through the motherboard until
the signals get to the lime colored jack on the back of
the computer.
-------------
| |
----------| Sound |
| | Chip |
| ------| |
| | | |
| | | |
Case Front Audio | | -------------
("Interrupting" Type Jack) | |
| |
-------- 1 AGND | | Lime Lineout (Back)
| ______ 2 Line_out_R <------+ |
- -| / ^ | AGND ----+ (SLEEVE)
| | |--- 3 BLINE_OUT_R -->----- | ---------+ (RING)
| | |
| | |--- 4 BLINE_OUT_L -->----- | -------+ (TIP)
| | v |
- -| \_____ 5 Line_out_L <----------+

HTH,
Paul

 

[calaf]

I opened the computer and didn't see any jumpers on the FP Audio slots.
Instead there was some sort of five-wire connector. I didn't have any
jumpers or I would have tried your suggestion to try the jack.

For now I guess the only thing to do is connect the speakers through the
front and hope I don't trip over the wire.