Maximum PC

I recently installed Nuance's Dragon Naturally Speaking Home version 11 on my Windows 7 PC that I built just over two years ago. When I tried to train the software to my voice using the included headset, I was receiving sound through the earphone on the headset, but the software claimed that the microphone volume was muted or low. After trying a different headset and encountering the same issue, I did some research and found that the pinout for the front panel audio connector cable on my Rosewill computer case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811147033) has the 2 x 5 connector wired to the old AC '97 pinout, while my soundcard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6829102007) has its 2 x 5 front panel audio connector set up to be compatible with the Intel HD Audio standard pinout, not AC '97 nor Intel HD Audio-compatible pinout connectors.
Knowing that I could not be the only person to have encountered this issue, I have searched for possible solutions to correct this issue as I wish to use my computer case's front audio ports (they are actually located on the top of the case) with the Creative soundcard, but while I have found that countless others have indeed encountered this same problem, I cannot seem to find a feasible way to rectify this issue as I cannot seem to make heads nor tails out of how to properly rewire the connector so as not to accidentally fry something on the soundcard or the front panel connector. Does anyone have any ideas for rectifying this problem?

Edit: I have read that there are computer case manufacturers out there that actually build their cases with two types of front panel audio cable connectors (Antec and Cooler Master come to mind), but have not seen any place that actually sells the kind of cable that I would need in order to replace the current cable in my computer case.

I did some digging for you and found the exact pin outs of both the AC97 and the HD audio pins here: http://www.Intel.com/support/motherboar ... 015851.htm
I have a cooler master 690 II and it has the two audio cables that you are talking about one for ac97 and one for HD audio. I was actually wondering if that made a difference and apparently there is a micro switch in the audio jack that makes part of the HD audio circuit. here is a link to a thread I found on tom's hardware that looks to have at least a partial mod to the audio board for the AC97 audio. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/20523 ... io-support

Thank you, Wiked_smart. I knew about the pinout schematics from the first link you mention, but I had not run across the procedure outlined in the second link. I knew from my research about the microswitch that is present in the audio jack for HD audio, and am thinking that I am going to have to actually replace both of the jacks in my front audio panel on the Rosewill case in order to actually use that connector on the soundcard. Thanks again for your reply. I will look into this.

no problem and please let me know how it turns out for you. I was unaware of the issue since i have both so it will be interesting to know what comes of this! Good luck!

Hey, Wiked_smart, I believe I found a solution to my issue! It actually involves two pieces of hardware and they are: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820131010 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817997018. I need the second piece due to having no external 3.5" bay on my current case.

Very nice, I like that! That feels like a snake that would have bit me. I hadn't even thought down that path. Good job!