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I have a SoundBlaster X-Fi soundcard with 5.1 speakers connected. I have connected a VOIP headset [earphones & mic] to the motherboard [Asus K8V-MX] line out and mic ports. Unfortunately I get no sound out [or in!] via the headset.

To connect the headset to the Soundblaster I would have to keep connecting/disconnecting headset and speaker leads which I don't want to do. It seems [and I am GUESSING here!] that installation of the SoundBlaster has disabled the onboard audio. The only items listed in the various drop-down boxes for mic speakers and ringing in the Skype settings is the SB X-Fi E8000. Neither headphones nor mic register anything during a test call. [They work as I have tried them elsewhere.]

Q: Is there a setting somewhere that selects between the sound card and onboard audio? I have looked all over and in the SoundBlaster setup but can't see anything. The OS is XP Pro Sp3. Might there be something that needs tweaking in the BIOS setup?

Many thanks for any advice.

[timpalimpa]

Depending on your computer, you might need to enter BIOS setup and re-enable the onboard audio which is sometimes switched off when you install an external soundcard.
Also, ensure that the appropriate drivers are installed for the onboard audio.

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Thanks for the reply timpalimpa. I checked that the "onboard AC'97 Audio" [whatever that is! but it seems to be the only setting that mentions audio] was enabled but still no joy. How would I know whether "the appropriate drivers" are installed for the onboard audio?

Thanks.