openSUSE 11.1 -- No Sound

**vchapman** · 29-Dec-2008, 08:01

I recently updated and install OS 11.1 on two systems. One is running Gnome and the new install is KDE. Now I can't get streaming audio through Firefox to work on either system. Amarok is also a problem on both systems. Is there some kind of a how to around that in the first instance indicates how to set up the sound card and in the second instance indicates how to set up mplayer for streaming audio.

**oldcpu** · 29-Dec-2008, 08:22

Originally Posted by vchapman

I recently updated and install OS 11.1 on two systems. One is running Gnome and the new install is KDE. Now I can't get streaming audio through Firefox to work on either system. Amarok is also a problem on both systems. Is there some kind of a how to around that in the first instance indicates how to set up the sound card and in the second instance indicates how to set up mplayer for streaming audio.

Do you have any sound at all under Gnome and KDE ? I recommend you use the following sound test as a "sound/speaker test":

speaker-test -c2 -l5 -twav

You should hear a ladies voice saying 'FRONT LEFT', 'FRONT RIGHT' five times.

If that works, then it is likely a simple matter for amarok to update to packman provided apps. If you are using a 64-bit openSUSE it could be more complex, as you could have run across a 64-bit hiccup (and I can't help with that as I do not have a 64-bit PC/openSUSE install).

Anyway, wrt Amarok, the very first thing I recommend you do (and the very first thing I aways do after establishing an internet connection on my Linux PC) is to setup my software package manager repositories (where the repositories are basically file servers on the internet that provide openSUSE applications packaged as rpms for users). In the case of openSUSE I recommend you add the following 4 repositories (repos) and ONLY the following 4: OSS, Non-OSS, Update and Packman. Just those 4. No others. None. You can add more than those 4 only when you understand the risks and problems that can arise, and how to solve them. So, there is guidance for adding those 4 here: Repositories/11.1 - openSUSE-Community Again, only OSS, Non-OSS, Update, and Packman. Remove any others if you have selected them.

Once you have those 4 added, go to YaST > Software > Software management and select filter 'search' and replace the Novell/SuSE-GmbH packaged amarok with the Packman packaged amarok. Also install the Packman packaged libxine1, xine-ui, xine-skins, amarok-xine, libmad, libffmpeg0, and w32codec-all.

Then start amarok, and select the "xine" sound engine under the preference/settings.

On my 32-bit PC, to play most streaming media, I have installed the packman packaged mplayerplug-in together with the smplayer/MPlayer. I also installed flash-player.

If the speaker test did not work, let me know, and I'll try help you configure your sound.

**vchapman** · 29-Dec-2008, 08:36

Originally Posted by oldcpu

Do you have any sound at all under Gnome and KDE ? I recommend you use the following sound test as a "sound/speaker test":

speaker-test -c2 -l5 -twav

You should hear a ladies voice saying 'FRONT LEFT', 'FRONT RIGHT' five times.

If that works, then it is likely a simple matter for amarok to update to packman provided apps. If you are using a 64-bit openSUSE it could be more complex, as you could have run across a 64-bit hiccup (and I can't help with that as I do not have a 64-bit PC/openSUSE install).

Anyway, wrt Amarok, the very first thing I recommend you do (and the very first thing I aways do after establishing an internet connection on my Linux PC) is to setup my software package manager repositories (where the repositories are basically file servers on the internet that provide openSUSE applications packaged as rpms for users). In the case of openSUSE I recommend you add the following 4 repositories (repos) and ONLY the following 4: OSS, Non-OSS, Update and Packman. Just those 4. No others. None. You can add more than those 4 only when you understand the risks and problems that can arise, and how to solve them. So, there is guidance for adding those 4 here: Repositories/11.1 - openSUSE-Community Again, only OSS, Non-OSS, Update, and Packman. Remove any others if you have selected them.

Once you have those 4 added, go to YaST > Software > Software management and select filter 'search' and replace the Novell/SuSE-GmbH packaged amarok with the Packman packaged amarok. Also install the Packman packaged libxine1, xine-ui, xine-skins, amarok-xine, libmad, libffmpeg0, and w32codec-all.

Then start amarok, and select the "xine" sound engine under the preference/settings.

On my 32-bit PC, to play most streaming media, I have installed the packman packaged mplayerplug-in together with the smplayer/MPlayer. I also installed flash-player.

If the speaker test did not work, let me know, and I'll try help you configure your sound.

Let's deal with the Gnome system.This was an update from OS 11.0.

I just rebooted the system and the first thing that I did was to run Amarok and it worked.I shut Amarok down and started it again and it didn't work. The error message said "xine was unable to initalize any audio drivers."

I ran your speaker check with the following result:

speaker-test 1.0.18

Playback device is default
Stream parameters are 48000Hz, S16_LE, 2 channels
WAV file(s)
E: socket-client.c: socket(): Address family not supported by protocol
ALSA lib pulse.c:272

pulse_connect) PulseAudio: Unable to connect: Connection refused

Playback open error: -111,Connection refused
E: socket-client.c: socket(): Address family not supported by protocol
ALSA lib pulse.c:272

pulse_connect) PulseAudio: Unable to connect: Connection refused

The test continued on, but I stopped it.

Both PC's are 32 bit.

Now I am going to do the thing with the repositories that you suggest.

**oldcpu** · 29-Dec-2008, 08:56

Originally Posted by vchapman

Let's deal with the Gnome system.This was an update from OS 11.0.

I just rebooted the system and the first thing that I did was to run Amarok and it worked. I shut Amarok down and started it again and it didn't work. The error message said "xine was unable to initalize any audio drivers."

This is not usual and it suggests either amarok did not shut down correctly, or you some other operation was conducted between your shutting down amarok and attempting to restart amarok. Did you by chance log out and change users in between successful attempts?

Originally Posted by vchapman

I ran your speaker check with the following result:

speaker-test 1.0.18

Playback device is default
Stream parameters are 48000Hz, S16_LE, 2 channels
WAV file(s)
E: socket-client.c: socket(): Address family not supported by protocol
ALSA lib pulse.c:272

pulse_connect) PulseAudio: Unable to connect: Connection refused

Note, I am not a Gnome user, and I have not encountered that error before, so all I can do is provide suggestions and let you do the investigating.

IMHO this is likely the same problem that happened wrt Amarok. Some application has the sound driver and is refusing to let Amarok (nor the speaker-test) access alsa.

To see what device is using one's audio driver, I typically copy and paste this into a gnome terminal or a kde konsole:

lsof /dev/dsp* /dev/audio* /dev/mixer* /dev/snd/*

I find it useful to run that when everything is working (keeping a record of the output in a text file), and then run it again when things are not working, and compare the two results

You could investigate your pulse audio a bit more. Here are some pulse audio applications:

padevchooser - PulseAudio Device Chooser 0.9.3
pavucontrol - PulseAudio Volume Control 0.9.7 ,
pavumeter - PulseAudio Volume Meter 0.9.3 ,
paman - PulseAudio Manager 0.9.4 ,
paprefs - PulseAudio Preferences 0.9.7

As to their precise function, the web sites I linked provide some information. Other than that, I was hoping you would teach me.

...

One way to kill a fly with a sludgehammer (which works sometimes, when one hits the fly), when one's sound locks up like that, is to restart alsa with:

su -c 'rcalsasound restart'

and then manually restart one's mixer.

Good luck.

**AndreAPL** · 31-Dec-2008, 07:35

Originally Posted by oldcpu

Do you have any sound at all under Gnome and KDE ? I recommend you use the following sound test as a "sound/speaker test":

speaker-test -c2 -l5 -twav

You should hear a ladies voice saying 'FRONT LEFT', 'FRONT RIGHT' five times.

If that works, then it is likely a simple matter for amarok to update to packman provided apps. If you are using a 64-bit openSUSE it could be more complex, as you could have run across a 64-bit hiccup (and I can't help with that as I do not have a 64-bit PC/openSUSE install).

Anyway, wrt Amarok, the very first thing I recommend you do (and the very first thing I aways do after establishing an internet connection on my Linux PC) is to setup my software package manager repositories (where the repositories are basically file servers on the internet that provide openSUSE applications packaged as rpms for users). In the case of openSUSE I recommend you add the following 4 repositories (repos) and ONLY the following 4: OSS, Non-OSS, Update and Packman. Just those 4. No others. None. You can add more than those 4 only when you understand the risks and problems that can arise, and how to solve them. So, there is guidance for adding those 4 here: Repositories/11.1 - openSUSE-Community Again, only OSS, Non-OSS, Update, and Packman. Remove any others if you have selected them.

Once you have those 4 added, go to YaST > Software > Software management and select filter 'search' and replace the Novell/SuSE-GmbH packaged amarok with the Packman packaged amarok. Also install the Packman packaged libxine1, xine-ui, xine-skins, amarok-xine, libmad, libffmpeg0, and w32codec-all.

Then start amarok, and select the "xine" sound engine under the preference/settings.

...

I have same issue but using a 64bit system. Previously with 11.0 it was frequent not to have any sound (like soundsystem get stucked), only getting it back it a "alsasound restart".
Can anyone explay what you mean with "you could have run across a 64-bit hiccup" ?

**oldcpu** · 31-Dec-2008, 07:48

Originally Posted by AndreAPL

I have same issue but using a 64bit system. Previously with 11.0 it was frequent not to have any sound (like soundsystem get stucked), only getting it back it a "alsasound restart".

Next time that happens, try the lsof command (with the arguments I noted) above, to see what app has seized your sound. ie

lsof /dev/dsp* /dev/audio* /dev/mixer* /dev/snd/*

you should run that when your sound functions normally, and when it does not, so you can tell the difference.

Originally Posted by AndreAPL

Can anyone explay what you mean with "you could have run across a 64-bit hiccup" ?

The context in which that was stated was a problem with firefox playing multimedia. Many 64-bit users struggle with trying to get their Firefox working, because 64-bit support for the flash-player has been questionable for a long time.

I am going on vacation for 2.5 weeks, so my replies may become very sporadic on this and other threads.

**AndreAPL** · 31-Dec-2008, 07:52

Originally Posted by oldcpu

Next time that happens, try the lsof command (with the arguments I noted) above, to see what app has seized your sound. ie

lsof /dev/dsp* /dev/audio* /dev/mixer* /dev/snd/*

you should run that when your sound functions normally, and when it does not, so you can tell the difference.

Thanks.
Will next time i've a issue. In OpenSuSE 11.1 i should use xine + pulseaudio ? or xine + alsa ?

Good vacation

**oldcpu** · 31-Dec-2008, 07:58

Originally Posted by AndreAPL

In OpenSuSE 11.1 i should use xine + pulseaudio ? or xine + alsa ?

Sorry, no golden ideas here. IMHO use which ever works best for you.

pulse audio is gradually seeping its way into all distributions, as it will eventually provide features which are perceived as being needed to compete with OS such as Vista. However its currently buggy (although it has come a long ways), and that has upset some users.

**LuisC-SM** · 31-Dec-2008, 08:20

The easiest way for me to fixed it with GNoME is to open a terminal and execute (as normal user)

Code:

alsamixer -c 0 ## for soundcard 1 or "-c 1" for soundcard 2 or just 
alsamixer ## if you have only one sound card

Check that all sound channels are enabled (or at least those you currently use). If they have an "MM" that means they are "muted" so press the "M" key on your keyboard to toggle between enabled/disabled (as desired)

Good luck and Happy New Year

Luis

**jrollo** · 19-Jan-2009, 22:45

Originally Posted by oldcpu

Do you have any sound at all under Gnome and KDE ? I recommend you use the following sound test as a "sound/speaker test":

speaker-test -c2 -l5 -twav

You should hear a ladies voice saying 'FRONT LEFT', 'FRONT RIGHT' five times.

If that works, then it is likely a simple matter for amarok to update to packman provided apps. If you are using a 64-bit openSUSE it could be more complex, as you could have run across a 64-bit hiccup (and I can't help with that as I do not have a 64-bit PC/openSUSE install).

Anyway, wrt Amarok, the very first thing I recommend you do (and the very first thing I aways do after establishing an internet connection on my Linux PC) is to setup my software package manager repositories (where the repositories are basically file servers on the internet that provide openSUSE applications packaged as rpms for users). In the case of openSUSE I recommend you add the following 4 repositories (repos) and ONLY the following 4: OSS, Non-OSS, Update and Packman. Just those 4. No others. None. You can add more than those 4 only when you understand the risks and problems that can arise, and how to solve them. So, there is guidance for adding those 4 here: Repositories/11.1 - openSUSE-Community Again, only OSS, Non-OSS, Update, and Packman. Remove any others if you have selected them.

Once you have those 4 added, go to YaST > Software > Software management and select filter 'search' and replace the Novell/SuSE-GmbH packaged amarok with the Packman packaged amarok. Also install the Packman packaged libxine1, xine-ui, xine-skins, amarok-xine, libmad, libffmpeg0, and w32codec-all.

Then start amarok, and select the "xine" sound engine under the preference/settings.

On my 32-bit PC, to play most streaming media, I have installed the packman packaged mplayerplug-in together with the smplayer/MPlayer. I also installed flash-player.

If the speaker test did not work, let me know, and I'll try help you configure your sound.

I just upgraded from 11.0 to 11.1 and now I don't have sound in Amarok or Firefox, but I do in several other apps (Skype, KDE, Games etc.). The speaker test lady works fine as well.