All,
I've got an issue that both the case maker and motherboard maker have punted on.

I've got a Foxconn nForce 590 SLI that only has an HDA connector for the front audio ports.

I've got an Antec p180 that has AC97 dongle coming out of the front audio ports.

I've connected the wires so that sound comes out, but its missing all of the HDA features like turning off the speakers when the headphone jack is detected which is a real pain. Antec says "too bad" we don't offer an HDA connector. Anyone have any insights into how to build my own?

Thanks.

Looking into it, it seems that there is special hardware required.

Pinouts;

http://www.intel.com/support/mothe [...] 015851.htm

Pin Signal Name Description
1 PORT 1L Analog Port 1 - left channel (Microphone)
2 GND Ground
3 PORT 1R Analog Port 1 - right channel (Microphone)
4 PRESENCE# Active low signal that signals BIOS that an Intel® HD Audio dongle is connected to the analog header. PRESENCE# = 0 when an Intel® HD Audio dongle is connected
5 PORT 2R Analog Port 2 - right channel (Headphone)
6 SENSE1_RETURN Jack detection return for front panel (JACK1)
7 SENSE_SEND Jack detection sense line from the Intel® HD Audio CODEC jack detection resistor network
8 KEY Connector key
9 PORT 2L Analog Port 2 - left channel (Headphone)
10 SENSE2_RETURN Jack detection return for front panel (JACK2)


For AC-97 Front Panel Audio
Pin Signal Name Description
1 MIC Front panel microphone input signal (biased when supporting stereo microphone)
2 AUD_GND Ground used by analog
3 MIC_BIAS Microphone power / additional MIC input for stereo microphone support
4 AUD_GND Ground used by analog audio circuits
5 FP_OUT_R Right channel audio signal to front panel (headphone drive capable)
6 FP_RETURN_R Right channel audio signal return from front panel (when headphones unplugged)
7 AUD_5V Filtered +5 V used by analog audio circuits
8 KEY No pin
9 FP_OUT_L Left channel audio signal to front panel (headphone drive capable)
10 FP_RETURN_L Left channel audio signal return from front panel (when headphones unplugged)

I think you're out of luck

Thanks, Mkaibear. Yeah, I checked out all the pins on the Intel site and it turns out that AC97 is "compatible" with HDA but not full-featured.

If someone sold a front audio port by itself, I'd be glad to break out the soldering iron and make an HDA dongle. I just can't find any electronics site that sells stand-alone front audio jack (and Antec has been less than helpful).

Thanks again.