Asus onboard audio no longer working since enabling front panel audio.

My audio rear outs used to work, but even so, i was primarily using hdmi out from my video card. I was also diagnosing BSODs at the time and sent my mobo back to asus for an rma. When it got back, I placed it in a different case and attached the font panel audio.

Due to a new living circumstance, I decided to switch back to the normal audio out, as my hdmi sound is awful on my new monitor. Problem is, now i find that the onboard audio does not work.

I have tried uninstalling/reinstalling and updating drivers, I have disabled all other drivers in the device manager, I have disconnected the front panel entirely. Nothing seems to re-enable my back panel.

Everything seems like in this thread Just got done building a new computer but... - techPowerUp! Forums
except my audio interface is ASUS, not MSI, and does not allow for front panel detection. (their solution was to "disable front panel jack detection" but this interface does not allow for this)

See the attached screenshots for interface.
Screenshot #1: As you can see, this is all the advanced settings allow. Also note that the bottom jacks are disabled, and does not see the speakers at all, even though they are plugged in.

Screenshot #2: This is with the HD settings enabled.

Screenshot #3: As you can see, there are no devices shown while HD audio is enabled, and the sound device manager does not see the speakers at all.

Screenshot #4: When I change to AC97, the computer sees the front panel, even when it is disconnected to the motherboard. The back panel still is undetected.

Screenshot #5: While under AC97, it shows that it detects both front ports, a set of speakers in one and a mic in the other, even when there is nothing plugged in.

Sound is enabled in BIOS, I have tried volume checks, tried nearly everything i can come up with, and I am nearly at my wit's end.

Have you tried system restore, or tried reinstalling the software/driver etc?

yup, although the restore point may have been set after I attached the front panel.I have to check my dates

But yeah, i reinstalled and updated all drivers. Even wiped my nvidia drivers, for the hdmi input, and the onboard drivers.

Essentially, the only thing i havent done is reloaded from scratch, and i sure wont do that for a mere sound issue. I'd rather just but a sound card instead.

no one has any ideas?

It's been a while now, and still no fix. Unfortunately, its just an interface issue where I essentially know what I need, but don't know how to get it. Any ideas before I give up?