I think the problem is that Windows does not recognise the front jack (because it's faulty, I think)......so, trying to install a driver for a device that isn't there?.....you see the problem?
The sequence of events is that Windows spots your devices and lists them in Device Manager, then will try to load a suitable Microsoft driver, if it has one, or prompt you to load a driver of your own. Until a suitable driver is installed, the device will be highlighted in yellow in Device Manager. I have no yellow in my Device Manager. Also, I only have one device recognised, my HDMI audio.
I'm really not sure why you're still still hanging your hat on an audio driver issue, when all the evidence is pointing to a hardware issue? Anyway, we'll find out in a few days.
Meanwhile, Mr NUC is all packed up for its journey tomorrow, so I'm not thinking about it anymore, till it returns to me.
FYI my NUC is a D54250WYKH homebuild, with WiFi and Bluetooth, 180GB mSATA SSD, 16GB memory and Western digital 1TB hard drive......running Windows 8.1 update
