Checked the HCL, found a low rating for the Yamaha, so replaced with an ISA Creative SB16.

Opening root console window and running alsaconf, it is detected as sb16, a message confirms that it is configured and ready to use, and that I should adjust volumes using my favorite mixer. OK.....

Opening Kmix, there are no sliders visible to adjust. Typing 'alsamixer' in the terminal window gives result "function snd_ctl_open failed for default: No such device" When I reboot the computer, I still receive error message after KDE loads "dev/dsp not found"

My kernel came on the CD which I ordered from Mepis. Have never compiled it, or any linux kernel. Didn't think it was necessary in Debian based distros.

I don't know where kernel is located in system.

I have checked HCL, Soundblaster 16 is well supported, thought to be compatible.

So, how do I tell the system, without running alsaconf every time, which sound card is installed? How do I tell it to load the module sb16 on each boot?

Thanks to those on this and other forums who offered suggestions, even though nothing seemed to work. Sound seems to be a very common malfunction in Linux. In any event, I have sound now. I installed BeOS 5 in some empty space, and it detected and configured my prehistoric ISA sound card. Also plays DVDs without downloading libraries or configuring hardware. It just works. When Zeta becomes available, I'm certainly going to read the reviews and consider adopting it as my primary OS. If BeOS 5 was this good 5 years ago, then Zeta stands a good chance of being fantastic.