AC 97 front audio cables on this mb front audio? msi ms-7548

msi ms-7548

Motherboard Specifications, MSI MS-7548 (Aspen) | HP® Support

this is a cable i have

plugging in for a test wont short the board?
I am interested if you can have front audio and spdiff output sound.

HP says ---> One 9-pin audio header for headphone-out and microphone-in (yellow, Vista capable, requires matching front audio jack module)

also HP says ---> "Supports one S/PDIF digital connection"
the board has an internal and external spdif, so what is HP saying?

Integrated Realtek ALC888S Audio
*Integrated audio is not available if a sound card is installed.
Audio CODEC: Realtek ALC888S
High Definition 8 channel audio
Supports one S/PDIF digital connection

shows the external spdif #2 rca jack which I use hooked up to a sony receiver.

I plugged it in and get nothing at all, no sound from it and windows playback and record devices do not show it anywhere.

the plug going to the MB?
It is keyed and can go no other way than the way it goes.

Got zilch, as if nothing was plugged in.

Maybe realtek chip just knows something is wrong with it.
HD audio does have a sense pin.

I do have my sound set to digital audio playback, would that be why no sound from the front audio?

Ok,
I dont even get a speaker option to enable unless I actually plug the HDTV into the back speaker port.

If this was a true HD audio jack, would it be detected as being able to be enabled?