laptop sound will not work

English Applications
#1

Hello to All,
10.3 sound set up easily. Now, with 11.0 not even a peep! And it is the same laptop.
My chipset for sound is “SigmaTel STAC 9288 HD Audio Codec” which comes default for Dell XPS M1330.
I’ve done everything the openSUSE Sound Guide reccomends to do, and no sound.
The Nvidia Video setup automatically, which is amazing to say the least.
This shows all things are equal.
With 10.3 64 bit openSUSE Video problem, Sound no problem.
With 11.0 64 bit openSUSE Sound problem, Video no problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Is it possible I will need to use ndiswrapper in setting up this sound chipset?

Thanks,
Chetanji:)

#2

I forgot to mention that with 10.3 the alsamixer worked fine the first time. Now it will not even load.
The sound program picks the Intel ICH8 chipset which is incorrect.
I can’t imagine what is wrong

thanks for help,
Chetanji:)

#3

Which desktop? KDE3 ? KDE4 ? Gnome? Many openSUSE-11.0 users struggle with pulse audio, … but there could be other problems. Rather than my speculate, please provide us some different information than what you provided already.

So please, to provide more information, with your PC connected to the internet copy and paste the following into a gnome-terminal or konsole:

wget http://home.cfl.rr.com/infofiles/tsalsa && su -c 'bash ./tsalsa'

when prompted for a password please enter your root password. Please try to accurately answer the question on the number of plugs/jacks on your PC (for example my PC has 3 i/o plugs/jacks). When the script completes it will pass you a URL. Please post that URL here.

Also, please copy and paste the following into a gnome-terminal or konsole and post the output here.rpm -qa | grep alsa
rpm -qa | grep pulse
rpm -q libasound2
uname -a
cat /etc/modprobe.d/sound

Once I have that information, I believe I may be able to provide helpful recommendation(s).

#4

OldCPU, Thankyou so much for your help.
Chetanji

#5

Your /etc/modprobe.d/sound file looks wrong.

For a stac9228 on a Dell XPSM1330, I note the following from the ALSA-Configuration.txt file as options:


	STAC9227/9228/9229/927x
	  ref		Reference board
	  3stack	D965 3stack
	  5stack	D965 5stack + SPDIF
	  dell-3stack	Dell Dimension E520

Hence I recommend you change your /etc/modprobe.d/sound file to:
options snd slots=snd-hda-intel

ufzz.vD9VbU_X1r7:82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller

alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=3stackand then restart alsa with su -c ‘rcalsasound restart’ (enter root password when prompted for a password) and then test your sound. Failing that, keep the same /etc/modprobe.d/sound file that I recommended, but change “3stack” to “dell-3stack” and restart your alsa as I just described and test your sound. You could also try 5stack.

#6

I change the /etc/modprobe.d/sound file the way you request and restart alsa as requested and so far so good.

But when I go into Yast and start the sound app I am looking at a window with two card models (one configured and one not.)

I delete the one configured and begin the edit of new card…
Here is a problem…
I have Advanced options to choose from and touch nothing and click next till I click finish.
I have tried the quick setup and get to finish but the same end result…

There is no change in sound output. (The volume buttons show up on the display as off or on with varying volume, easily controlled.) Simply, no sound.
The /etc/modprobe.d/sound file has been tried with model=3stack, dell-3stack, 5stack, and dell-5stack.
All with restarts and then going back into Yast with the same sad result.

Does anything strike you at this point, other than a reinstall of 11.0?
Thanks for your help OldCPU,
Chetanji;)

#7

OldCPU,
One thing to note…

options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
# ufzz.vD9VbU_X1r7:82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=3stack

is now automatically changed to…

options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
# u1Nb.vD9VbU_X1r7:82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=3stack

in Yast>Hardware Information it lists the #ufzz as ‘old unique key’ and the # u1Nb as the ‘unique key’

Is it possible I somehow screwed up these first four characters in the beginning and thus the sound problem?

I was following this web page before posting my problemHTML]http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:AudioTroubleshooting#General_openSUSE_Basic_Troubleshooting_Sound_Overview



This just done after typing in terminal " alsaconf " and following through.

ATECH-7fe15baee:/etc/modprobe.d # cat /proc/asound/version
Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.16rc2 (Thu Jan 31 16:40:16 2008 UTC).

ATECH-7fe15baee:/etc/modprobe.d # cat /proc/asound/modules
0 snd_hda_intel

ATECH-7fe15baee:/etc/modprobe.d # cat /proc/asound/cards
0 [Intel ]: HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
HDA Intel at 0xfebfc000 irq 21



One Question...
Is my version of Alsa in  need of upgrade to 1.0.17?
As 1.0.16rc2 is not even listed on web page for current Alsa versioins.

Thanks,
Chetanji:)
#8

OldCPU,

Is there anything pertinent for me on this webpage?

http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Matrix:Module-hda-intel

Matrix:Module-hda-intel - AlsaProject

I am getting a headache from all this.
How can it work so easily in 10.3 but be so difficult in 11.0?

I lay myself at the foot of Master OldCPU, and beg forgiveness for my futile attempts at sound justice where I have failed again and again:’(!
Chetanji

#9

OldCPU,
Not wasting any more time.
I upgraded to alsa firmware and all the goodies to version
1.0.17

Unfortunatly, I have no sound with all the options you prescribed.
Below please find the new terminal return from your earlier post.


lsof: WARNING: can't stat() fuse.gvfs-fuse-daemon file system /home/chetan/.gvfs
      Output information may be incomplete.
*** PULSEAUDIO: Unable to connect: Connection refused
amixer: Mixer attach default error: Connection refused
uploading /tmp/tsalsa.txt to nopaste.com
Uploading /tmp/tsalsa.txt: #-------------------------------------------------] 0.2 Seconds
 tsalsa completed in 162 seconds
paste this url in #alsa: http://nopaste.com/p/aBs3maexw


ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -qa | grep alsa
alsa-oss-1.0.15-48.1
alsa-firmware-1.0.17-1.1
alsa-tools-1.0.17-1.1
alsa-oss-32bit-1.0.15-48.1
alsa-plugins-1.0.17-3.3
gmerlin-alsamixer-0.3.8-0.pm.1
alsa-plugins-pulse-1.0.17-3.3
cairo-dock-alsaMixer-1.6.2.3-3.pm.20080910
alsamixergui-0.9.0rc1-705.1
alsa-1.0.17-1.1
alsa-utils-1.0.17-1.1

ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -qa | grep pulse
pulseaudio-esound-compat-0.9.12-7.1
libpulse0-32bit-0.9.10-26.5
libpulse-mainloop-glib0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-lirc-0.9.12-7.1
gstreamer-0_10-pulse-0.9.5-54.1
libpulse-browse0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-gconf-0.9.12-7.1
libpulse0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-bluetooth-0.9.12-7.1
alsa-plugins-pulse-1.0.17-3.3
pulseaudio-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-x11-0.9.12-7.1
libpulsecore4-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-zeroconf-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-utils-0.9.12-7.1

ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -q libasound2
libasound2-1.0.17-1.1
ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # uname -a
Linux ATECH-7fe15baee 2.6.25.16-0.1-default #1 SMP 2008-08-21 00:34:25 +0200 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # cat /etc/modprobe.d/sound

options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
# u1Nb.vD9VbU_X1r7:82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan #

Thankyou,
Chetanji:\

#10

If you do a hand edit to /etc/modprobe.d/sound , then I recommend you do NOT go into YaST, nor run alsaconf, as those applications will undo your edit, and your efforts will be lost. Instead after updating /etc/modprobe.d/sound file, you should do what I requested, which is to restart alsa and test your audio.

As you can see, your /etc/modprobe.d/sound file custom settings are gone!

Also if you look at the output of the script you have:

Alsa driver: 1.0.16rc2        
dpkg path:           
Alsa utils: 1.0.17

which suggests your update efforts failed, as your driver version does not match your utils version. Looking at your installed rpms I do not see alsa-driver-kmp-default which for updates to alsa is required. Hence you failed in your update, and unfortunately made things worse.

This can be fixed, but I do not know enough as to what you did to update alsa (in your failed attempt) to provide good accurate advice.

I normally recommending following guidance in this URL for updating:
Alsa-update - openSUSE
which for your kernel means 6 zypper commands must be sent according to your openSUSE version and where the last 3 zypper comamnds are very specific to your kernel version.

Just what did you do when you updated alsa? Where did you get the rpms from? Did you build them yourself with check install?

Chetanji, I am on the road travelling. The quickest I can currently respond is once/day, and sometimes less than that. So that is why my responses may appear slow.

#11

Dear Brother OldCPU,
I have sound, but it is horribly garbled like an old radio out of sync with the station, when I play Banshee using an mp3.

Strangely enough Amarok was playing its intro file just fine. It actually sounded excellent although not loud enough.

I removed Amarok as I run Gnome and it is for KDE.

Here is my current config…


**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -qa | grep alsa**

alsa-driver-unstable-kmp-default-1.0.17.20081015_2.6.25.16_0.1-3.1
alsa-driver-kmp-default-1.0.17.20081015_2.6.25.16_0.1-3.1
alsa-utils-1.0.17-1.1
FA_clalsadrv-1.2.2-0.pm.3
alsa-1.0.17-1.1
alsa-firmware-1.0.17-1.1

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -qa | grep pulse**

pulseaudio-esound-compat-0.9.12-7.1
libpulse0-32bit-0.9.10-26.5
libpulse-mainloop-glib0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-lirc-0.9.12-7.1
gstreamer-0_10-pulse-0.9.5-54.1
libpulse-browse0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-gconf-0.9.12-7.1
libpulse0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-bluetooth-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-x11-0.9.12-7.1
libpulsecore4-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-zeroconf-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-utils-0.9.12-7.1

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -q libasound2**

libasound2-1.0.17-1.1

ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # cat /etc/modprobe.d/sound

options and slots=snd-hda-intel 
# u1Nb.vD9VbU_X1r7:82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
alias sound-slot-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=dell-3stack

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # cat /proc/asound/version**

Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.18rc3.
Compiled on Oct 15 2008 for kernel 2.6.25.16-0.1-default (SMP).

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # cat /proc/asound/modules**

 0 snd_hda_intel

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # cat /proc/asound/cards**

 0 [Intel          ]: HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
                      HDA Intel at 0xfebfc000 irq 21
ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan #

When I updated alsa earlier I just typed “alsa-firmware-1.0.17” into the webpin and it returned an ‘install’ button, so I clicked it and everything updated too easy.

I removed every alsa file, then went through your recommended procedure and it is the way it is now.

At least there is some sound although very rough.

I hope this tells you something. Like alsa driver version is 1.0.18rc3; and utils version is 1.0.17-1.

I have a feeling that is not correct, but what do I know?
answer…not much about Unix or Linux.

Hope your travels work well and are profitable in every way.
Chetanji:)

#12

Well now I can get average sound out of Banshee.


options and slots=snd-hda-intel 
# u1Nb.vD9VbU_X1r7:82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
# alias sound-slot-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=3stack

I have tried
dell-d81,dell-d82,dell-m81,dell-m82,ref,3stack,5stack,dell-3stack as the “model=” in the etc/modprobe.d/sound file and they all work although the sound is rather thin.

However, the sound works!

I can not get the pulse audio device to load properly I get the error message “connection refused”

We are further down the road now.
Chetanji;)

#13

… please do NOT use such large fonts.

I find it very difficult to read, as just a few words completely fills my screen. It is irritating.

I do not like the one click install, as you have limited control over the applications it installs.

Except you were not exact enough in following the URL I provided. You installed the wrong alsa-driver-kmp-default version, and you did not follow the instructions exactly. In the URL I provided Alsa-update - openSUSE , the zypper command has you install “alsa-driver-kmp-default” from one repo and install “alsa alsa-utils alsa-tools alsa-firmware libasound2” from another URL. When I look at what you installed, you mistakenly installed alsa-driver-unstable-kmp-default (not needed). Also, because you deleted all of the old alsa versions (in an effort to correct your earlier mistaken install) you are missing alsa-oss and alsa-plugins.

I recommend you fix the above, and then very carefully check your mixer settings. Sometimes one’s audio can be too low and can be fixed by going to YaST > hardware > sound > other > volume, and move the slider bars there to 70%. Note going in to yast may over write your custom /etc/modprobe.d/sound settings, and you may need to restore them.

Also, note when you update alsa to a newer version, there is a possibility that the model options in the ALSA-Configuration.txt file may change. For 1.0.18RC3 of alsa the options for a stac9228 are:

	STAC9227/9228/9229/927x
	  ref		Reference board
	  3stack	D965 3stack
	  5stack	D965 5stack + SPDIF
	  dell-3stack	Dell Dimension E520
	  dell-bios	Fixes with Dell BIOS setup

which means you should be trying 3stack, 5stack, dell-3stack, and possibly dell-bios, but not dell-d81,dell-d82,dell-m81,dell-m82.

#14

Sorry for the large fonts. This laptop I am using makes this text message look normal, with fonts that are actually small. The font control must not work for this laptop config, as it looks fine. Again Sorry.

Will not use in the future. This is all new for me, I appreciate letting me know your preferences, as I trust you.

I just noticed my version is 2.6.25.16-0.1-default #1 x86_64

The closest version the supplied URL shows is 2.6.18.
I must have used this accidently.

I have been sick since your last post. Please forgive me for being off line for so long with this inability still in place for openSUSE 11.0

thanks,
chetanji:)

#15

I think you mean 2.6.25.18. And in this case, the kernel was updated about a week ago. Hence 2.6.25.18 is the latest kernel, and the rpms are now packaged for that kernel version.

#16

Exactly, I just noticed on a reboot the my kernel is now updated.
Did this happen automatically while updating something else?
For I did not do this on my own.

Question…
Do I need to start over or just follow the link for the URL now?

Thanks for your well experienced help.

Chetanji:)

#17

This does NOT happen automatically. You must have either:
a. changed the openSUSE config to apply updates automatically (I’ve NEVER done that, but I assume it is possible, and it is definitely something I do NOT recommend - ie IMHO its a BAD idea ) or
b. you instructed openSUSE to install the update, but you did not understand what you were doing.

Kernel updates do not happen automatically in a default openSUSE configuration.

Since we have already embarked down the “update alsa” path, we need to ensure your alsa versions are consistent with your kernel version.

There is guidance here telling you how to update:
Alsa-update - openSUSE

I’ll make it easier for you to apply the alsa update. Specifically, assuming you have updated to the 2.6.25.18 kernel, with your PC connected to the internet, type “su” (no quotes) in a gnome-terminal or a konsole (enter root password when prompted) and then copy and paste the following, one line at a time:

zypper ar http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/multimedia:/audio/openSUSE_11.0/ multimedia 

zypper install alsa alsa-utils alsa-oss alsa-oss-32bit alsa-tools alsa-plugins-pulse alsa-plugins alsa-firmware libasound2

zypper rr multimedia

zypper ar http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/multimedia:/audio:/KMP/openSUSE_11.0_Update/ multimedia

zypper install alsa-driver-kmp-default

zypper rr multimedia

Then restart your PC. Test your sound. Check your mixer setup.

Its possible that will still not work and you may need to update your /etc/modprobe.d/sound file. Remember the ALSA-Configuration.txt file model options are noted here:

	STAC9227/9228/9229/927x
	  ref		Reference board
	  3stack	D965 3stack
	  5stack	D965 5stack + SPDIF
	  dell-3stack	Dell Dimension E520

Which means you may need to change your /etc/modprobe.d/sound file to:

options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
# u1Nb.vD9VbU_X1r7:82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=3stack

You need to restart alsa after making this change. One way to do that is to reboot. Another way is to type su -c ‘rcalsasound restart’ Then test your audio. Check your mixer

I note from the openSUSE Hardware compatibility List (HCL) that “3stack” is supposed to work with your model laptop. Reference: HCL/Laptops/Dell - openSUSE

and if “3stack” does not work, replace “3stack” in that file with “5stack” and restart alsa (one way to do that is to reboot). Test your audio. Check your mixer. If “5stack” does not work, then replace “5stack” with “dell-3stack” and restart alsa (one way to do that is to reboot). Test your audio. Check your mixer.

#18

Dear Brother OldCPU,

This has been happening all day.

ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # zypper install alsa alsa-utils alsa-oss alsa-oss-32bit alsa-tools alsa-plugins-pulse alsa-plugins alsa-firmware libasound2
Reading installed packages...

The following packages are going to be upgraded:
  libasound2 alsa-oss alsa-utils alsa-tools alsa alsa-firmware 


The following NEW packages are going to be installed:
  libasound2-32bit alsa-oss-32bit alsa-plugins alsa-plugins-pulse 


Overall download size: 5.1 M. After the operation, additional 1.9 M will be used.
Continue? [YES/no]: YES
Downloading package libasound2-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1.x86_64 (1/10), 357.0 K (1.2 M unpacked)
Downloading: libasound2-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1.x86_64.rpm [error (101 B/s)]
Timeout exceed

Abort, retry, ignore? [A/r/i]: r
Downloading: libasound2-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1.x86_64.rpm [0% (101 B/s)]
Downloading: libasound2-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1.x86_64.rpm [error (101 B/s)]
Timeout exceed

Downloading: repomd.xml [done (475 B/s)]
Problem downloading the package file from the repository:
Can't provide ./x86_64/libasound2-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1.x86_64.rpm : Timeout exceed
Repository 'multimedia' is out of date. Running 'zypper refresh' might help.
ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan #

When I plug the cat 5 cable into the MS Windows workstation I can download at 200kps all day long.
There must be something wrong with this repo. or something I don’t understand is in the way.

Good God, I can’t believe how much time you are spending with me and the problems keep me from a good finish.

Thanks,
Chetanji:’(

#19

Dear OldCPU,
Just found the same file ‘libasound2’ as in above in an RPM site on the Web and tried to ftp and it timed out.
This is apparently the problem.

I’ve talked to someone from the IT deptartment and was told we are not allowed to FTP.
I mentioned I am using Linux and FPT’ng is common place.
Was told to talk to the Big Boss who comes in tomorrow.
Will try to get FTP level clearence here at work and then follow through with your most thorough instructions.

Thankyou so much!
Chetanji:)

#20

Dear OldCPU,
I went in and one by one installed the requested files from an openSUSE mirror of choice with HTTP.
Here is the laptops’ information.


**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -qa | grep alsa**
alsa-docs-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1
alsa-oss-1.0.17-2.1
alsa-utils-1.0.18.git20081031-1.1
FA_clalsadrv-1.2.2-0.pm.3
alsa-plugins-pulse-1.0.18.git20081030-1.2
alsa-tools-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1
alsa-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1
alsa-plugins-samplerate-1.0.18.git20081030-1.2
alsa-oss-32bit-1.0.15-48.1
alsa-tools-gui-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1
alsa-firmware-1.0.17-1.1
alsa-plugins-1.0.18.git20081030-1.2
alsa-driver-kmp-default-1.0.18.20081031_2.6.25.18_0.2-3.1

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -qa | grep pulse**
pulseaudio-esound-compat-0.9.12-7.1
libpulse0-32bit-0.9.10-26.5
libpulse-mainloop-glib0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-lirc-0.9.12-7.1
gstreamer-0_10-pulse-0.9.5-54.1
libpulse-browse0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-gconf-0.9.12-7.1
alsa-plugins-pulse-1.0.18.git20081030-1.2
libpulse0-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-bluetooth-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-x11-0.9.12-7.1
libpulsecore4-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-module-zeroconf-0.9.12-7.1
pulseaudio-utils-0.9.12-7.1

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # rpm -q libasound2**
libasound2-1.0.18.git20081030-1.1

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # uname -a**
Linux ATECH-7fe15baee 2.6.25.18-0.2-default #1 SMP 2008-10-21 16:30:26 +0200 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

**ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan # cat /etc/modprobe.d/sound**
options and slots=snd-hda-intel 
# u1Nb.vD9VbU_X1r7:82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
# alias sound-slot-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=3stack

ATECH-7fe15baee:/home/chetan #

In Yast>Hardware there is no sound device listed.

Thanks,
Chetanji