front panel audio does not work

[Bobby64]

 I have an hp media center PC m7350n and I have upgraded from Windows XP to Windows 7, I also installed a new graphics card AMD Radeon HD 6450. When I was working on Windows XP my front panel audio was working for my headsets and microphone. Since I've upgraded my headsets and microphone don't work anymore. I tried many different things but didn't work. I first checked the connections inside the PC then I upgraded to the last Realtek HD driver, I looked in the bios nothing there to be done, I don't even have an option for front panel. The only option I have is onboard audio- auto/enable and disable which only works on enable. Then I looked in Realtek audio manager and the front panel connectors are greyed out or lighter than all the other connectors. When I plug in my headsets and microphone nothing happens and speakers still work. I checked mark disable back connectors when headsets are plugged in and nothing changes. The only change I have is when I check out mute microphone boost I have a squelching sound in my headsets. All the forums talk about Bios and front panel enabled and alc97 which I do not have as an option. Please help or I will go crazy after 1 month of reading all forums and trying every possible option that doesn't work.