Hey guys, I'm setting up also on my 2.4 gentoo system, and when it comes time to start alsa it does fine until "* Loading: snd-intel8x0" where it gives me:

* Loading: snd-intel8x0
/lib/modules/2.4.26-gentoo-r9/kernel/sound/pci/snd-intel8x0.o: init_module: No such device
Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including invalid IO or IRQ parameters.
You may find more information in syslog or the output from dmesg
/lib/modules/2.4.26-gentoo-r9/kernel/sound/pci/snd-intel8x0.o: insmod /lib/modules/2.4.26-gentoo-r9/kernel/sound/pci/snd-intel8x0.o failed
/lib/modules/2.4.26-gentoo-r9/kernel/sound/pci/snd-intel8x0.o: insmod snd-intel8x0 failed


Anyways it finishes up but I know its bad since when I then try to start amixer it says "amixer: Mixer attach default error: No such device"

I have soundcard support compiled into the kernel including Creative AC' 97 and Inteli8xx.

I have a dell inspiron 5150 with intel i820 I believe

The alsa modules have trouble if they are compiled into the kernel statically. Try compiling them as loadable modules. There is a guide here.

http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/alsa-guide.xml

good luck.