I have installed openSuSE 11.1 (64bit) and using KDE 4.2 (Latest) but cannot get decent sound. The controls have to be almost at max to hear anything and it sounds really tinnie. I have installed the Alsa files as suggested by oldcpu in another thread. I have installed kernel 2.6.28.3.The sound was good under Vista before I removed it to install openSuSE. I have the alsa-info.sh information at :-
http://www.alsa-project.org/db/?f=cdfd39299121dea1605aeacc8fba32812684b0ac
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Presumeably you also went to YaST > Hardware > Sound > Other > Volume and moved the volume levels (PCM and master) to the maximum (or close to). Then close YaST, and go to kmix and move the volume levels up high there for PCM and Master. Note you have to move up both PCM and Master volume controls. Your PCM level is not very high. The script output suggests to me you did not do that, as PCM is only at 77%. My experience is the volume control under the current alsa for this model laptop is not linear.
Reference further help, with your laptop now having 2.6.28.3 kernel and KDE-4.2 I can not help. I stick with the baseline “stock” configurations, and all sorts of unpredictable problems can come from a non-stock desktop and not stock kernel (where the alsa drivers may not have been built for that kernel version). I confine my help to the stock installations.
Reference “tiny” sound, that is a criticism of the Dell 1737 (and the 1537) that exists for Vista as well. I’ve seen no end of Vista users complain about that, and there are many you tube videos where Dell 1537/1737 owners (running Vista) complain of that laptop’s “tiny” sound. IMHO that “tininess” is a hardware limitation.
That is very disappointing to hear. My (old) Inspiron 9300 had really good sound as they used a sub-woofer underneath. I can’t believe Dell would release a Multimedia system with such poor sound. Might as well move on to the Camera & Fingerprint reader.
Another thing I forgot was the PCM control in kmix does nothing, I only have Master & Front controls that do anything.
I was thinking about this problem on my 20 minute walk into work this morning, but I did not get the opportunity until lunch time to reply.
You might find some history on this useful, so that you can come up with a way forward, … to either keep your current kernel/alsa, or roll back your kernel/alsa, or write a bug report.
I purchased a Dell Studio 15 laptop in Nov-2008, and discovered the audio was not functioning to my satisfication. Note the Dell Studio 15 (mine was a 1537) is very similar to the Dell Studio 17 (your 1737) except the Studio 15 screen is 15" instead of 17" in size. This laptop is available with Ubuntu as the OEM operating system, and so I was surprised to find this functionality weakness under openSUSE. That is to say, I was briefly surprised, until I subsequently discovered that Ubuntu have a policy that they do not provide many of their Linux fixes upstream. This means they may fix something specifically for their Ubuntu releases in their kernel or in their packaged alsa, but they may NOT pass their fix upstream to the linux wide alsa maintainers, nor to the linux wide kernel maintainers.
(As an aside - that re-inforces my view never to use Ubuntu, as they are going contrary to a process that has been put in place to help all Linux distributions).
Anyway, I ended up writing a bug report on an openSUSE-11.1 beta version, in the hope that I could have the fix in the openSUSE-11.1 released version. The specific functionality that I wanted was proper headset functionality.
The thread tracking this is here:
Dell studio 15 sound problems - openSUSE Forums
The bug report tracking the bug (which was fixed) is here:
https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=446025
Note that as a result of my bug report, and with the help of another user (for testing) who had the same laptop, the fix was fortunately “rushed” into openSUSE-11.1 by an openSUSE/alsa developer. To be put in place so quick, it required an openSUSE specific fix to the alsa packaged by openSUSE and also required an openSUSE specific fix to the kernel packaged by openSUSE. Both of these fixes were also submitted upstream by the openSUSE/alsa developer, so that all Linux distributions could benefit. … But that takes time to be incorporated.
Now these fixes are in the “stock” openSUSE-11.1 alsa and kernel, but I can not say for certain if they have yet made it into the upstream alsa tarball, nor can I say for certain if they have made it into the upstream kernel.
This means if you install a non stock kernel, or install a non-stock alsa version, your sound (headset for example) may not function as well as that on the basic openSUSE-11.1.
You could write a bug report on openSUSE on this, but given you are using KDE-4.2 (non standard) and using a newer (non-standard) kernel, I suspect such an openSUSE bug report may be “rejected” or not actioned. You may have more success writing a bug report on the alsa project “alsa” (as opposed to on openSUSE) to push the alsa team into incorporating the openSUSE fixes (which were submitted) into the new alsa versions. In fact, these fixes may be in place already.
Its possible that all you need to do, in order to get the sound functionality that you want, is to custom compile all of the applicable alsa applications (ie alsa-driver, alsa-lib, alsa-utils, alsa-tools, alsa-firmware, alsa-plugins and alsa-oss), for your custom kernel version.
I don’t blaime Dell for the functionality “roughness” in this case. Rather I blaime Ubuntu. Fortunately the openSUSE dev worked very fast in November/December to “start the ball rolling” on this, but then the rest takes times. Linux is in the most part supported by volunteers, and volunteers have other things going on in their life, which sometimes means things do not happen an in ideal immediate manner.
Good luck!
Thanks oldcpu for the very informative feedback. I only tested the new kernel in case they had some fixes for my problem. I have reverted back to 2.6.27.7-9-default I am also using the following alsa versions :-
alsa-oss-1.0.17.git20080715-2.17
alsa-firmware-1.0.19.git20090120-1.1
alsa-plugins-pulse-1.0.19.git20090123-1.5
alsa-1.0.19.git20090203-1.1
alsa-oss-32bit-1.0.17.git20080715-2.17
alsamixergui-0.9.0rc1-584.91
alsa-tools-1.0.19.git20090120-1.8
alsa-utils-1.0.19.git20090130-2.2
alsa-plugins-1.0.19.git20090123-1.5
with the following pulse versions :-
pulseaudio-utils-0.9.12-9.5
libpulsecore4-0.9.12-9.5
libpulse-mainloop-glib0-0.9.12-9.5
libpulse0-0.9.12-9.5
pulseaudio-0.9.12-9.5
libpulse-browse0-0.9.12-9.5
and last but not least :-
libasound2-1.0.19.git20090203-1.1
If you feel I should try another version of alsa could you tell me where I can get it from. At this rate I’m not looking good for listened to the cricket on-line.
That looks good, except you are missing the driver itself (unless you forgot to post it in your list). You need alsa-driver-kmp-default, which you can find here:
Index of /repositories/multimedia:/audio:/KMP/openSUSE_11.1
Don’t install the debug nor pae nor trace as they are not relevant to your kernel.
oldcpu, sorry it’s taken so long to get back with feedback but I had some problems with KDE to work through. I installed the patch as suggested but it didn’t work I had these errors :-
KDE detected that one or more internal sound devices were removed.
Do you want KDE to permanently forget about these devices?
This is the list of devices KDE thinks can be removed:
Capture: HDA Intel (STAC92xx Analog)
Output: HDA ATI HDMI (ATI HDMI)
Output: HDA ATI HDMI, ATI HDMI (HDMI Audio Output)
Output: HDA Intel (STAC92xx Analog)
As can be seen it wants to remove the STAC92XX device which I believe is the one I want to be using. I also get these messages but they don’t appear to be related to the actual sound device
WARNING: /lib/modules/2.6.27.7-9-default/kernel/drivers/media/video/saa7134/saa7134-alsa.ko needs unknown symbol snd_card_new
WARNING: /lib/modules/2.6.27.7-9-default/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-alsa.ko needs unknown symbol snd_card_new
WARNING: /lib/modules/2.6.27.7-9-default/kernel/drivers/media/video/em28xx/em28xx-alsa.ko needs unknown symbol snd_card_new
WARNING: /lib/modules/2.6.27.7-9-default/kernel/drivers/staging/go7007/go7007.ko needs unknown symbol snd_card_new
Needless to say I have no sound with the patch installed - Help
I need to see what rpms you have installed. Please post again, the output of:
rpm -qa | grep alsa
rpm -qa | grep pulse
rpm -q libasound2
uname -a
cat /etc/modprobe.d/sound
As requested
alsa-oss-1.0.17.git20080715-2.17
alsa-firmware-1.0.19.git20090120-1.1
alsa-plugins-pulse-1.0.19.git20090123-1.5
alsa-1.0.19.git20090203-1.1
alsa-oss-32bit-1.0.17.git20080715-2.17
alsamixergui-0.9.0rc1-584.91
alsa-tools-1.0.19.git20090120-1.8
alsa-driver-doc-1.0.19.20090206-1.1
alsa-utils-1.0.19.git20090130-2.2
alsa-plugins-1.0.19.git20090123-1.5
pulseaudio-utils-0.9.12-9.5
libpulsecore4-0.9.12-9.5
alsa-plugins-pulse-1.0.19.git20090123-1.5
libpulse-mainloop-glib0-0.9.12-9.5
libpulse0-0.9.12-9.5
pulseaudio-0.9.12-9.5
libpulse-browse0-0.9.12-9.5
libasound2-1.0.19.git20090203-1.1
Llinux 2.6.27.7-9-default
options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
u1Nb.DHYBSDpOxeA:82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=dell-m6
You are still missing the driver alsa-driver-kmp-default, which is what I noted in a previous post #7 above: Sound problems - Dell 1737 - openSUSE Forums . … Hence it appears you were unable, for some reason, to follow my previous recommendation. You have to install that, else your audio will not work !!
I recommend , you open a gnome-terminal, or a kde konsole (with your PC connected to the internet) and with root permissions send the following six commands in sequence, one at a time, to update ALL of your alsa to the latest cutting edge versions. That should put this missing version problem to bed once and for all (hopefully). So please, open the konsole/terminal, type “su” (no quotes - enter root password) and copy and paste the following six zypper commands in sequence, one at a time:
zypper ar http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/multimedia:/audio/openSUSE_11.1/ multimedia
zypper install alsa alsa-utils alsa-plugins alsa-plugins-pulse alsa-tools alsa-driver-doc alsa-oss-32bit alsa-oss alsa-firmware libasound2
zypper rr multimedia
zypper ar http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/multimedia:/audio:/KMP/openSUSE_11.1/ multimedia
zypper install alsa-driver-kmp-default
zypper rr multimedia
Its possible you will be told some of those are already installed. Just keep continuing, even though that is the case.
When complete, restart your PC, and test your sound.
In message #8 I indicated I had installed the patch but had no sound at all. I removed the patch, hence it did not show on the last list I gave you. Sorry for the confusion, do you want me to install the patch again or do the error messages in message #8 show anything.
I do not know what you mean by ‘patch’.
What I recommend you do is send the 6 zypper commands I quoted above.
Unless I know the detailed context, often such messages mean nothing to me.
I do not have a precise handle on your configuration (which is why I want you to run those zypper commands), nor do I know precisely what you were doing when those errors appeared and hence those messages mean nothing to me. When you talk about a “patch” I have no idea as to what you mean.
It would help me understand you better, if you can be as specific as possible. ie if you are referring to a specific rpm, then name the specific rpm (ie alsa-driver-kmp-default). Don’t call it a patch, as that is very general and could mean many things. I know, its a pain to have to look up precise terms, … but I do believe in the long run, it will save time, and prevent potential misunderstandings.
Thanks!
Again I apologize, must be my Aussie accent. When I refer to (in this case) patch I meant alsa-driver-kmp-default-1.0.19.20090206_2.6.27.7_9.1-1.1.x86_64.rpm which I installed and received the error messages mentioned in #8 I ran the zypper commands exactly as you suggested to arrive at the error messages in #8. Having worked in Unix/Linux for more years than I care to remember I am good at following commands. As can be seen by the rpm’s installed they all come from the Repository as you suggested. Not sure what else I can say to ensure you I have followed all your suggestions to the letter. - Honest 
OK, so did alsa-driver-kmp-default install with the zypper command ?
Did you get that error message during the install? (and then aborted the install ? ) … or did you get the error message when you tried something after the install ?
Note after installing alsa-driver-kmp-default, you must reboot.
If you can install alsa-driver-kmp-default without a zillion errors please do so. And then please give me the output of:
rpm -qa | grep alsa
rpm -q libasound2
cat /etc/modprobe.d/sound
so I can then come up with the next recommendation.
OUTPUT INSTALLING RPM
Preparing… ########################################### [100%]
1:alsa-driver-kmp-default########################################### [100%]
WARNING: /lib/modules/2.6.27.7-9-default/kernel/drivers/media/video/saa7134/saa7134-alsa.ko needs unknown symbol snd_card_new
WARNING: /lib/modules/2.6.27.7-9-default/kernel/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-alsa.ko needs unknown symbol snd_card_new
WARNING: /lib/modules/2.6.27.7-9-default/kernel/drivers/media/video/em28xx/em28xx-alsa.ko needs unknown symbol snd_card_new
WARNING: /lib/modules/2.6.27.7-9-default/kernel/drivers/staging/go7007/go7007.ko needs unknown symbol snd_card_new
26610 blocks
OUTPUT FROM DMESG
HDA Intel 0000:00:1b.0: PCI INT A → GSI 22 (level, low) → IRQ 22
HDA Intel 0000:00:1b.0: setting latency timer to 64
ALSA /usr/src/packages/BUILD/alsa-driver/pci/hda/…/…/alsa-kernel/pci/hda/hda_codec.c:2723: hda_codec: model ‘dell-m6’ is selected
ALSA /usr/src/packages/BUILD/alsa-driver/pci/hda/…/…/alsa-kernel/pci/hda/hda_codec.c:3532: autoconfig: line_outs=1 (0xd/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
ALSA /usr/src/packages/BUILD/alsa-driver/pci/hda/…/…/alsa-kernel/pci/hda/hda_codec.c:3536: speaker_outs=0 (0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
ALSA /usr/src/packages/BUILD/alsa-driver/pci/hda/…/…/alsa-kernel/pci/hda/hda_codec.c:3540: hp_outs=2 (0xa/0xf/0x0/0x0/0x0)
ALSA /usr/src/packages/BUILD/alsa-driver/pci/hda/…/…/alsa-kernel/pci/hda/hda_codec.c:3541: mono: mono_out=0x0
ALSA /usr/src/packages/BUILD/alsa-driver/pci/hda/…/…/alsa-kernel/pci/hda/hda_codec.c:3551: inputs: mic=0xb, fmic=0xe, line=0x0, fline=0x0, cd=0x0, aux=0x0
ALSA /usr/src/packages/BUILD/alsa-driver/pci/hda/…/…/alsa-kernel/pci/hda/patch_sigmatel.c:3049: stac92xx: dac_nids=2 (0x15/0x16/0x0/0x0/0x0)
input: HDA Digital PCBeep as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/input/input13
input: HDA Intel at 0xfc400000 irq 22 Mic at Ext Left Jack as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/input/input14
input: HDA Intel at 0xfc400000 irq 22 HP Out at Ext Left Jack as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/input/input15
input: HDA Intel at 0xfc400000 irq 22 HP Out at Ext Left Jack as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/input/input16
HDA Intel 0000:01:00.1: PCI INT B → GSI 17 (level, low) → IRQ 17
HDA Intel 0000:01:00.1: setting latency timer to 64
OUTPUT FROM /VAR/LOG/MESSAGES
Feb 9 16:04:47 linux pulseaudio[3801]: main.c: High-priority scheduling enabled in configuration but not allowed by policy.
Feb 9 16:04:47 linux pulseaudio[3801]: core-util.c: setpriority(): Permission denied
Feb 9 16:04:47 linux pulseaudio[3801]: ltdl-bind-now.c: Failed to find original dlopen loader.
Feb 9 16:04:47 linux pulseaudio[3803]: pid.c: Daemon already running.
Feb 9 16:04:48 linux pulseaudio[3788]: module.c: Failed to open module “module-x11-publish”: file not found
alsa-oss-1.0.17.git20080715-2.17
alsa-firmware-1.0.19.git20090120-1.1
alsa-plugins-pulse-1.0.19.git20090123-1.5
alsa-1.0.19.git20090203-1.1
alsa-oss-32bit-1.0.17.git20080715-2.17
alsamixergui-0.9.0rc1-584.91
alsa-tools-1.0.19.git20090120-1.8
alsa-driver-doc-1.0.19.20090206-1.1
alsa-driver-kmp-default-1.0.19.20090206_2.6.27.7_9.1-1.1
alsa-utils-1.0.19.git20090130-2.2
alsa-plugins-1.0.19.git20090123-1.5
libasound2-1.0.19.git20090203-1.1
cat /etc/modprobe.d/sound
options snd slots=snd-hda-intel
u1Nb.DHYBSDpOxeA:82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=dell-m6
OUTPUT FROM /PROC/ASOUND/CARDS
0 [Intel ]: HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
HDA Intel at 0xfc400000 irq 22
1 [HDMI ]: HDA-Intel - HDA ATI HDMI
HDA ATI HDMI at 0xcfeec000 irq 17
Sorry for the delay = Had a Dentist appointment
I do not know what that means, but those may not be related to your specific audio hardware
ok, those are notification messages. I do not see any errors there. Why does that concern you?
There may be a pulse audio problem … but its buried pretty deep.
good.
OK, it may not be necessary to specify the model=dell-m6. Its possible the alsa auto probe will work. Still, test your sound with this in place.
Us this sound test:
speaker-test -c2 -l5 -twav
and if that fails this test:
speaker-test -Dplug:front -c2 -l5 -twavand with one of those you should hear a lady’s voice saying ‘FRONT LEFT’,‘FRONT RIGHT’ five times. Move your volume controls up to 95% when doing this test. You can back off of them later.
Note your PC (from the script you ran previous) has a Codec: IDT 92HD73C1X5
According to the HD-Audio-models.txt file, these are the options for that codec:
STAC92HD73*
===========
ref Reference board
no-jd BIOS setup but without jack-detection
dell-m6-amic Dell desktops/laptops with analog mics
dell-m6-dmic Dell desktops/laptops with digital mics
dell-m6 Dell desktops/laptops with both type of mics
dell-eq Dell desktops/laptops
So if “dell-m6” does not work, you could replace that with “ref”, restart your PC, and test the sound again. If “ref” does not work, try “dell-m6-amic” and if that does not work try “dell-m6-dmic” and if that does not work try “dell-eq” and restart and test your sound.
Don’t forget what I noted about 95% volume initially. Once you have sound established, you should then back off the volume to a lower level to remove the distortion.
I have the same laptop (Dell Studio 1737) and had no sound on the system at first. Following #11 I had sound, but speaker sound was not muted when headphones were plugged in. I finally got it working as expected on a completely stock 11.1 install by adding:
options snd-hda-intel model=dell-m6-dmic
to /etc/modprobe.d/sound
Will