Alienware M17x - no sound with most distros. IDT 92HD73C1X5 chip.

Ethrem · 11-24-2009, 02:54 AM

I just don't get it. Sound is completely broken even though it is detected as NVidia HDA (MCP79). The only distros that work are openSUSE and MEPIS. Everything else detects it but there is no sound coming through my speakers at all.

Does anyone have any ideas? I thought that it was PulseAudio distros until I realized that openSUSE uses PulseAudio too. *scratches head*

This is just crazy to me. Everything else works great but sound is completely borked. I am not new to linux. The exact chip I'm using is an IDT 92HD73C1X5 and it just flat out refuses to work. I've tried making sure nothing is muted in alsamixer (nothing is)... I'm completely lost. Can anyone help me out here?

GlennsPref · 11-24-2009, 03:46 AM

Hi, Welcome to LQ!

LQ has a fantastic search function that may save you time waiting for an answer to a popular question.

With over 3 million posts to search it's possible the answer has been given.

OK, first can you tell us what version of the kernel you have running?

type uname -a

I have found there was a patch for it, IDT 92HD73C1X5, hda audio, and
A similar device is listed on the alsa matrix.
ref. http://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/mai...rix:Vendor-IDT

Quote:

92HD73X

The patch I have seen mentions it ...(near bottom of page)...
ref. http://www.linuxhq.com/kernel/v2.6/2...tch_sigmatel.c

Code:

@@ -4306,10 +4322,11 @@ struct hda_codec_preset snd_hda_preset_sigmatel[] = {
     { .id = 0x838476a5, .name = "STAC9255D", .patch = patch_stac9205 },
     { .id = 0x838476a6, .name = "STAC9254", .patch = patch_stac9205 },
     { .id = 0x838476a7, .name = "STAC9254D", .patch = patch_stac9205 },
+   { .id = 0x111d7603, .name = "92HD75B3X5", .patch = patch_stac92hd71bxx},
+   { .id = 0x111d7608, .name = "92HD75B2X5", .patch = patch_stac92hd71bxx},
    { .id = 0x111d7674, .name = "92HD73D1X5", .patch = patch_stac92hd73xx },
    { .id = 0x111d7675, .name = "92HD73C1X5", .patch = patch_stac92hd73xx },
    { .id = 0x111d7676, .name = "92HD73E1X5", .patch = patch_stac92hd73xx },
-   { .id = 0x111d7608, .name = "92HD71BXX", .patch = patch_stac92hd71bxx },
    { .id = 0x111d76b0, .name = "92HD71B8X", .patch = patch_stac92hd71bxx },
    { .id = 0x111d76b1, .name = "92HD71B8X", .patch = patch_stac92hd71bxx },
    { .id = 0x111d76b2, .name = "92HD71B7X", .patch = patch_stac92hd71bxx },

This patch was apparently applied to Kernel v2.6.26.

With this google search, I also found this patch...patch_sigmatel.c Thu Dec 13 17:51:00 2007
ref. http://search.gmane.org/search.php?g...l&query=92HD73

I hope this helps you,

Regards Glenn

Ethrem · 11-24-2009, 05:12 AM

I'm running 2.6.31-14 - here's the output.

Linux 2.6.31-14-generic #48-Ubuntu SMP Fri Oct 16 14:04:26 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux

So its a kernel patch then? God its been forever since I've patched the kernel lol.

Ethrem · 11-24-2009, 05:18 AM

Well wait, the fact that alsamixer correctly reports what chip I have would mean I don't need the patch, would it not?

GlennsPref · 11-24-2009, 04:29 PM

Correct, the patch was applied back with 2.6.26

It may be an alsa update you require.

<edit>
On second thoughts, what is the output of...

lsmod | grep audio

On one of the links I posted there is a mention of an alsa patch

Quote:

glenn@GamesBox:~$ sudo modinfo soundcore (25-11 08:40)
filename: /lib/modules/2.6.31.6-1mnb_GamesBox/kernel/sound/soundcore.ko.gz
alias: char-major-14-*
license: GPL
author: Alan Cox
description: Core sound module
srcversion: 5304D247A0A6F7658DDE6D6
depends:
vermagic: 2.6.31.6-1mnb_GamesBox SMP preempt mod_unload modversions
parm: preclaim_oss:int

ref. http://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/mai...dule-hda-intel
and http://bugtrack.alsa-project.org/mai...dule-hda-intel

You may need to follow this through...

I had similar probs with my edirol usb audio interface.

You might also check with the "alsa-info.sh" script.

once you get the script, use "alsa-info.sh --help" to see the options you can pass when initialising the script.
</edit>

regards Glenn

Ethrem · 11-24-2009, 11:13 PM

lsmod | grep audio doesn't turn up anything.

lsmod | snd however:

lsmod | grep snd
snd_hda_codec_idt 59844 1
snd_hda_intel 26920 1
snd_hda_codec 75708 2 snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_hda_intel
snd_hwdep 7200 1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm_oss 37920 0
snd_mixer_oss 16028 1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_pcm 75296 3 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_pcm_oss
snd_seq_dummy 2656 0
snd_seq_oss 28576 0
snd_seq_midi 6432 0
snd_rawmidi 22208 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_event 6940 2 snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi
snd_seq 50224 6 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
snd_timer 22276 2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device 6920 5 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
snd 59204 14 snd_hda_codec_idt,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_seq_os s,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
soundcore 7264 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 9156 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm

I just can't figure it out. I've got a later kernel, it appears to be using the IDT codec that it needs along with HDA... yet it just doesn't work!

I'm running the latest ALSA and everything... and I have the soundcore module. I'm lost.

GlennsPref · 11-25-2009, 05:05 AM

I see it now.

My suspicion is that the intel module (snd_hda_intel) is loading as the default when it is not required.

You could try this, easily reversible hack (config adjustment).

Not sure if this will work with ubuntu, because of Debianisms, but...

You should be able to blacklist a module you don't want to load.

With Mandriva 2010, the text file is...

/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-mdv

Code:

# blacklisted modules for PCI coldplug
# see also /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-compat

blacklist rivatv

# For some bridges both intel-agp and i82875p_edac are loaded. If i82875p_edac
# is loaded first it will grab the device. Then intel-agp doesn't work.
# Therefore we disable automatic loading of 82875p_edac. (Bug 213840)
# https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=213840
blacklist i82875p_edac

# do not use "Boot Protocol" drivers, we prefer usbhid
# and they cause problems when loaded together with usbhid (#37726, #40861)
blacklist usbkbd
blacklist usbmouse
blacklist kbd
blacklist pcspkr

there is also...

/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-compat

Code:

#
# Listing a module here prevents the hotplug scripts from loading it.
# Usually that'd be so that some other driver will bind it instead,
# no matter which driver happens to get probed first.  Sometimes user
# mode tools can also control driver binding.
#
# Syntax:  driver name alone (without any spaces) on a line. Other
# lines are ignored.
#

# watchdog drivers
blacklist i8xx_tco

# framebuffer drivers
blacklist aty128fb
blacklist atyfb
blacklist radeonfb
blacklist i810fb
blacklist cirrusfb
blacklist intelfb
blacklist kyrofb
blacklist i2c-matroxfb
blacklist hgafb
blacklist nvidiafb
blacklist rivafb
blacklist savagefb
blacklist sstfb
blacklist neofb
blacklist tridentfb
blacklist tdfxfb
blacklist virgefb
blacklist vga16fb
blacklist matroxfb_base

# ISDN - see bugs 154799, 159068
blacklist hisax
blacklist hisax_fcpcipnp

if you have a desktop search, you might look "in files" for blacklist

Easy to reverse.

I also had to blacklist pcspkr (pc speaker) to allow my usb audio to work, even when the module was loaded. Maybe you could try that too.

Hope this helps.

Regards Glenn

jalik · 11-30-2009, 03:54 AM

Hi guys ! I'm proud to give you the solution !!!

I have an Alienware M17x with the "nVidia Corporation MCP79 High Definition Audio" chipset which is not working out of the box with Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala..

You just have to install the following packages and reboot :

- linux-backports-modules-2.6-31-15-generic
- linux-backports-modules-alsa-2.6.31-15-generic

I've installed the first package and rebooted but no sound appeared so I I found the second package which directly concerns the sound and I've installed it and rebooted.. and now I can burst my ears with High Quality Sound from Linux !!

People enjoy the solution

kstan · 11-30-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalik

Hi guys ! I'm proud to give you the solution !!!

I have an Alienware M17x with the "nVidia Corporation MCP79 High Definition Audio" chipset which is not working out of the box with Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala..

You just have to install the following packages and reboot :

- linux-backports-modules-2.6-31-15-generic
- linux-backports-modules-alsa-2.6.31-15-generic

I've installed the first package and rebooted but no sound appeared so I I found the second package which directly concerns the sound and I've installed it and rebooted.. and now I can burst my ears with High Quality Sound from Linux !!

People enjoy the solution

I use Macbook 6,1 (White) with same chipset. Currently trying your solution. Will report here if it fix.

kstan · 12-01-2009, 07:54 AM

Hi jalik,
I found this solution not working in my Macbook, currently u use kernel 2.6-31-15 or 2.6-31-14?

kstan · 12-01-2009, 09:03 AM

I've finally fix the problem via force version for backports modules due 2.6-31-14, and run the alsamixer turn the front speaker to max (In ubuntu 9.10 I can't find front speaker configuration).

Thanks! Now I able to dualboot my Macbook 6,1 and Ubuntu 9.10 happily and share my musics.

calvinallred · 12-02-2009, 01:07 AM

Does anybody know the equivalent packages of the above mentioned for Fedora?

- linux-backports-modules-2.6-31-15-generic
- linux-backports-modules-alsa-2.6.31-15-generic

Is this really only my 2nd post since Jan 2007? WOW!

kstan · 12-02-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstan

I've finally fix the problem via force version for backports modules due 2.6-31-14, and run the alsamixer turn the front speaker to max (In ubuntu 9.10 I can't find front speaker configuration).

Thanks! Now I able to dualboot my Macbook 6,1 and Ubuntu 9.10 happily and share my musics.

Unfortunately I found this is not perfect solution because my WIFI is gone! The best solution is remove backports modules and recompile the ALSA from latest source. Now my Macbook 6,1 work perfectly.

jalik · 12-02-2009, 03:03 AM

Kstan, you have a topic for installing Ubuntu on Macbook on ubuntu's website here :

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBook

kstan · 12-02-2009, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalik

Kstan, you have a topic for installing Ubuntu on Macbook on ubuntu's website here :

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBook

Inside dun have my model so I post here, anyway my laptop is ready and working well.