i just updated my kernel, and i am using a different driver, i've installed alsa, but, i cant get to alsamixer.

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root@bungle:/home/tjay# alsamixer

alsamixer: function snd_ctl_open failed for default: No such device
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i've installed alsa, i know i did, with oss, libs, drivers, etc...

when i play quake3 mod urban terror (best game ever ) it sound horrible, cutting out, and crackling

i can play mp3s fine, sounds great

Sounds like alsamiser is installed. DO a ls -l /dev/dsp? to check the perms on all the files.
Make sure you are in the audio group if it uses udev. you'll need to check the perms on the /dev/snd dir as well. They all should be 666. If you are using a 2.6 kernel you needed install the driver. Most kernels have them as modules. So installing alsa-driver really isnt necessary. I bet you is you run alsamixer as root "alsamixer: function snd_ctl_open failed for default: No such device" will go away. So make it run for the audio group.

Dave