LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] Intel G41 (ICH7 with VIA VT1708B)

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Intel G41 (ICH7 with VIA VT1708B) - mixer does not work

Hello!

I have several computers based on ECS G41T-M motherboard, featuring ICH7 chipset with VIA VT1708B 8-ch audio codec. I've installed Debian Lenny 64-bit on it. The sound itself works, but mixer does not, thus, for example, I can not get my recording app working, changing volumes does not work etc.

Here what it looks like:

Code:

$ alsamixer



alsamixer: function snd_mixer_load failed: Invalid argument

I've also tried Ubuntu and OpenSuse latest LiveCDs, both 32 and 64 bit - the result is the same :( alsaconf does not help.
I'm totally puzzled and will be gladfull for any hint.

Many thanks in advance!

Additional info:

Code:

$ aplay -l

**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****

card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: VT1708B Analog [VT1708B Analog]

  Subdevices: 0/1

  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 1: VT1708B Digital [VT1708B Digital]

  Subdevices: 1/1

  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

Code:

$ dpkg -l alsa*

Desired=Unknown/Install/Remove/Purge/Hold

| Status=Not/Inst/Cfg-files/Unpacked/Failed-cfg/Half-inst/trig-aWait/Trig-pend

|/ Err?=(none)/Hold/Reinst-required/X=both-problems (Status,Err: uppercase=bad)

||/ Name                                                  Version                                              Description

+++-=====================================================-=====================================================-==========================================================================================================================

un  alsa                                                  <none>                                                (no description available)

ii  alsa-base                                            1.0.17.dfsg-4                                        ALSA driver configuration files

ii  alsa-oss                                              1.0.15-1                                              ALSA wrapper for OSS applications

ii  alsa-utils                                            1.0.16-2                                              ALSA utilities

Code:

$ lspci |grep -i aud

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 01)

Is that stuff Intel hda based? There's a python script on alsa-project
http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/HDA_Analyzer
This allows you to fart with the individual settings and find stuff you can't find with alsamixer.

The big question in all these cases....

Are you using Pulseaudio?

I have a VT1708B on a G33 motherboard and it works fine, although I have not used Lenny, it runs fine with Squeeze. The alsa-version/kernel in Lenny should be new enough for that sound chip

The first thing you need to do is install Gnome Alsamixer. Gnome Alsamixer often solves problems the normal mixer cannot. Though given the error you get when you start alsamixer it may also fail.

I would also use Synaptic and remove Pulseaudio and see what happens. You can always reinstall it.

If you do not have Pulseaudio you could go down the reverse path and install it.

One last thought would be to download a Sidux live image and try it. Sidux will have the newest versions of kernel and alsa running a KDE 4.3 desktop. If Sidux works then that might at least point you in the direction of a solution.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grege (Post 3864096)

The big question in all these cases....

Are you using Pulseaudio?

NO. I'm using old-school KDE 3.5 that is shipped with Lenny.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grege (Post 3864096)

I have a VT1708B on a G33 motherboard and it works fine, although I have not used Lenny, it runs fine with Squeeze. The alsa-version/kernel in Lenny should be new enough for that sound chip

Yes, so it seems. May that's related to G41 chip. So I've failed to google out anything related to G41+ICH7+VT1708B+sound troubles. There are links to VT1708B troubleshooting, but not with regards to HDA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grege (Post 3864096)

If you do not have Pulseaudio you could go down the reverse path and install it.

I'll try it as a last resort :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grege (Post 3864096)

One last thought would be to download a Sidux live image and try it. Sidux will have the newest versions of kernel and alsa running a KDE 4.3 desktop. If Sidux works then that might at least point you in the direction of a solution.

Thanks, I'll surely try it when I'm back to office.

Quote:

Originally Posted by business_kid (Post 3864068)

Is that stuff Intel hda based?

Indeed!

Quote:

Originally Posted by business_kid (Post 3864068)

There's a python script on alsa-project
http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/HDA_Analyzer
This allows you to fart with the individual settings and find stuff you can't find with alsamixer.

This is what I get:

Code:

root@dev1:~/tmp > python run.py

Using temporary directory: /dev/shm/hda-analyzer

You may remove this directory when finished or if you like to

download the most recent copy of hda-analyzer tool.

Downloading file hda_analyzer.py

Downloading file hda_codec.py

Downloading file hda_proc.py

Downloaded all files, executing hda_analyzer.py

No HDA codecs were found or insufficient priviledges for

/dev/snd/controlC* and /dev/snd/hwdepC*D* device files.



You may also check, if you compiled HDA driver with HWDEP

interface as well or close all application using HWDEP.



Try run this program as root user.

I'm trying to run this program from Debian Lenny 64-bit and since I'm definitely a root user, my guess is that Debian stock kernel does not have HWDEP included. I'll try to rebuild to include HWDEP support.

Thank you!

Latest version should download hwdep.py and use that. Try updating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by business_kid (Post 3865398)

Latest version should download hwdep.py and use that. Try updating.

Updating what exactly? I've downloaded latest run.py from the link you've provided. I've also written to alsa-devel mailing list but got now answers so far.

OK. I got that wrong, and forgive me.

You have to run that script as root. That's the issue. I mixed up hda_proc and hdadep because I answered one too many emails yesterday. Open an xterm, su to root, and then run the thing. It then opens a window and all the actions take place there.

VT1708B is supported by the latest alsa-driver 1.0.22.1. The alsa version coming with the vanilla kernel 2.6.32 is 1.0.21. Distribution kernels may or may not come with the newest version of alsa. You may check your alsa version by 'cat /proc/asound/version'.

I solved my problem by installing alsa-driver 1.0.22.1 manually. Download it from ftp.alsa-project.org/pub/driver/alsa-driver-1.0.22.1.tar.bz2. After untarring the file, do the standard "./configure; make; make install". This will build and install the new kernel modules.

Good luck.

Thank you very much Jason! Actually I've already replaced all of the boards with Gigabyte (Realtek sound), but its really good to know that support for VT1708B should arrive into main distros very soon.