The headphone or speaker and microphone jacks on the front of your computer are often inactive. Collectors simply forget to connect them. Correct their mistake, and it will become much more convenient to connect audio devices.
Instructions
Step 1
Take the time to look at the instructions for the sound card (or motherboard, if the sound subsystem is built-in). Find out if the audio jacks have pins that respond to plug connections. If there are any, it is better not to make alterations - errors in the operation of the sound subsystem are possible.
Step 2
Power off the computer and all attached peripherals. Position the system unit so that it is easy to service. Remove the left cover from it (if it is horizontal - the top one).
Step 3
If the chassis has front audio jacks, you will find two unconnected plugs inside the chassis. Usually they are tied to some kind of rack in order to avoid touching the motherboard and other nodes. Untie them.
Step 4
Take a look at the back panel - are there any among the holes for the expansion cards, from which the plugs were removed. If there are none, remove one of the plugs, preferably located as close to the sound card as possible. Thread the cables through the hole.
Step 5
Disconnect the speakers (or headphones) and microphone from the card. Connect the plugs in their place according to their colors (red for input, green for output). Connect audio devices to the color-coded jacks on the front panel.
Step 6
Place the left cover on the computer base. Turn on the power to the computer and all peripheral devices. Make sure the sound card is still working. If it turns out that you have mixed up the jacks, swap the plugs on the back wall. In this case, do not touch their metal contacts and the computer case at the same time, especially if the speakers are powered by a network. It is better to temporarily de-energize them before this. In the future, when quickly disconnecting and connecting audio devices to the front panel while the computer is on, also pre-disconnect those speakers (as well as microphones with built-in or external amplifiers) that are powered from the mains.
