Very low + distorted audio, rear panel only

[The Boston Dangler]

So, my buddy has built a new computer. Everything is going fine, until he plugs in the speakers. Using a couple different sets of speakers and headphones (all 2 channel), there is barely any output from the rear panel. The front panel jacks work fine for headphone/line out, and the mic works.

I said "fine try my sound card". It's an Audigy 2 ZS Platinum and I've had it running fine for over a year in my old pc. The strange thing is, the sound card does the exact same thing. Extremely low and heavily distorted sound from the rear, while the Live Drive works fine.

The technical stuff:

Asus A8N-E
3200 Venice
2 GB Corsair XMS
Realtek ALC850, 8-channel CODEC on-board audio
XFX 7800GT
SB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum

Fresh installs of Win XP Home and Pro
Multiple audio drivers attempted
2 audio devices attempted
All audio settings are good (mixer, mute on headphone detect, everything)


We're pretty stumped over here.

 

[sieistganzfett]

hi, what about when you disconnect the front panel audio connectors to the sound card? you were originally using the onboard sound right? but in your second test with the SB it was off and did this same thing?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

yeah, the SB was properly installed, and the front panel connectors were taken off the on board.

 

[sieistganzfett]

ok, but are the front panel connectors are connected to nothing now, and does the problem persist when the front panel connectors are left unconnected?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Currently he has the SB installed, with the Live Drive working, and the front panel jacks for the case disconnected.

 

[BadThad]

Did you disable the onboard sound in the BIOS?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Yes, he did. But that wouldn't explain why the on-board is doing the same thing.

 

[konakona]

maybe some kind of crazy grounding issue? try grounding your case.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

The case is grounded through the PS.