thanks for helping to look. All the guides I can find are dated 2002 or older

I would start with this: http://kernel-handbook.alioth.debian.org/

And have a look at section 4.1 first, which indicates that you may be able to get the "Debian-ized" kernel sources using your package manager or apt-get. Maybe you can use apt-get to get whatever the newest kernel sources are, rather than starting with the vanilla (unmodified) kernel that we are currently looking at, and which you are downloading.

I have no idea what exactly Debian does to their kernel sources, but it would be wise to investigate this, and decide which sources would be most appropriate.

Myself, I use sources from kernel.org, but if you want to be Debian-esque, maybe use their sources if there is a new enough version for download using apt-get.

I must repeat: we really need a Debian user to give some advice here - us Slackers are often telling folks to do things the Slackware way but that isn't always ideal for Debian or other OS situations.

I compile my own kernels with Debian,would it help if I post my method?.

well, because of my job location, I don't have access to any internet connection other than through my work computer, and wont for another month at least. So I can't apt-get anything that isn't on the 5.0.4 dvd set. Basically have to work with whatever I can download here and transfer to my laptop on a disc.

it would help tremendously, if its a method that can be followed by someone with only a very basic CLI knowledge from about 3 months of Linux use. I can do the basic stuff on my own (installing the less complicated tarballs from source, etc), but a kernel recompile is deep water for me

@ trooper - yes, for sure, thank you! Although I'm thinking now, maybe the OP should start a new thread for the Debian Kernel Compiling topic.. Since this thread is about the Audio, a new thread would be a good idea.

Then, the OP can take leave of this thread, deal with the kernel in the new thread, and when that's all done, come back here and continue to evaluate the audio situation.

P.S. - trooper, can OP download a new Debian kernel source from somewhere, so he doesn't have to use apt-get from work?

Ok,just let me know which thread you want me to post in.
Also I think it's worth pointing out that you can get a more up to-date kernel for Lenny/Stable from Debian Backports if you are after a 'quick' fix.
But compiling your own kernels can be fun and a good learning exercise.

I'll start a new thread and see what comes up. Post your method there, if you would

If the op has all the Debian dvd's I would have thought that the Debian kernel source would be on one of the discs.
I couldn't say which though, I'd have to Google that one!.

you mean a newer kernel version than the one that was installed originally? my DVD set is 5.0.4, not sure if it has anything more recent than the one it gave me at install

It might be on the discs, but which Kernel version would it be, I wonder..? Probably not 2.6.34.1 so if OP wants to make a nice 'really-new' kernel, quite probably this release is not on the DVD's..

Myself, I have no clue and have never even installed Debian (er.. maybe I did one day for a few minutes, way back when I first discovered Linux, but it didn't last.. Slackware took over )

P.S. - Here's the kernel compiling thread: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=821936

For Lenny it would be:

http://packages.debian.org/lenny/linux-source-2.6.26

This would be the package to look for on the discs.

yeah, thats the one I already have. Need the newer one for the drivers, though

We haven't 100% verified that -- remember, the HDA driver *is* in your kernel version -- but we aren't sure if it is new enough to support your exact audio chip.
And, it *seems* that for whatever reason, it may not have been built when your kernel was built, which does sound odd since it's a very common driver.

You could try rebuilding version 2.26.1 and see; OR, for the sake of newness, go ahead and build a 2.6.34 version for the heck of it.

I'm going to go on with the .34 just to cover my bases, soon as I can come up with a guide that I can follow

kernel upgrade worked!

I turned a simple codec question into a horrible multi-thread kernel upgrading driver switching mess, but it worked out, finally :P

thanks a ton

I can happily mark this thread SOLVED