Alrighty, I've got the CE Guide, I've googled this, and nothing seems to offer any direct info...

I've done every task in the city, including several kill quests for the steward, I've gone and done two tasks in the Orc fortress nearby, and at Karthwarstan (sp), and still whenever I talk to the Jarl he tells me he doesn't know me and that I need to be work and then talk to his steward.

He's never given me any quests himself, so how the heck do you get him to offer his initial quest?

Um... I dunno, I've walked straight into Markarth without having done anything else in the Reach and immediately gotten a quest from him. But someone else here said he wouldn't give them his quest until they were level 20, so if you're not level 20 maybe that's it?

Nope, my character is level 42, so it's not that.

Is there something in the Bugs section on this page that helps you? See the 7th bulleted item.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Markarth

Ohh...

"First you cannot have completed http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:No_One_Escapes_Cidhna_Mine. Doing so causes all three platforms to glitch out and the Jarl will never offer you a home or potential Thaneship."

That svcks.

I think that's what's done it, as I did Cidhna Mine about 75 saves ago. Would have to start the game all over again, crap, this game is so broken....

Wonder if taking over the city with the stormcloaks would fix it as that gives the city a new Jarl.

No idea, but it's probably worth a try.