Error while initializing the sound driver

e11 · 10-22-2004, 12:47 PM

Got this error when starting KDE (when initializing peripherals):

Code:

Sound server informational message:

Error while initializing the sound driver:

device /dev/dsp can't be opened (Permission denied)

The sound server will continue, using the null output device.

i get this message both when using root and when using normal account.

What's wrong?

Regards,

Edwin

Peacedog · 10-22-2004, 01:21 PM

Could be a number of things, what have you done to configure your sound card? Please post the output from lspci -v, and lsmod? Are you using alsa? Have you run a mixer and unmuted your sound?
good luck.

e11 · 10-22-2004, 01:39 PM

Hi,

output from lspci -v (just the useful part, as the whole thing is quite lengthy):

Code:

0000:00:04.0 Multimedia audio controller: ESS Technology ES1978 Maestro 2E (rev 10)
Subsystem: NEC Corporation ES1978 Maestro-2E Audiodrive
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 10
I/O ports at e800 [size=256]
Capabilities: <available only to root>

output from lsmod:

Code:

Module                  Size  Used by
ipv6                  264612  6
apm                    21100  2
rtc                    12760  0
dm_mod                 59772  0
capability              4520  0
commoncap               7232  1 capability
psmouse                20360  0
mousedev               10476  2
xircom_cb              11616  0
yenta_socket           21728  1
ds                     18756  4
pcmcia_core            70900  2 yenta_socket,ds
af_packet              22600  2
ext2                   71848  3
ext3                  127240  0
jbd                    62616  1 ext3
mbcache                 9348  2 ext2,ext3
ide_generic             1408  0
piix                   13440  1
ide_disk               19296  5
ide_core              139940  3 ide_generic,piix,ide_disk
sd_mod                 21696  0
ata_piix                8164  0
libata                 41604  1 ata_piix
scsi_mod              125196  2 sd_mod,libata
unix                   28692  224
font                    8320  0
vesafb                  6656  0
cfbcopyarea             3840  1 vesafb
cfbimgblt               3040  1 vesafb
cfbfillrect             3776  1 vesafb

erm... what's alsa?

Regards,

Edwin

Peacedog · 10-22-2004, 03:00 PM

You can read about alsa here.

http://www.alsa-project.org/

Since the device is reconized, and I don't see the module loaded, let's try modprobing it.

modprobe maestro

If it works, you should be dropped back to the propmt. If that happens, try running a mixer and unmuting your sound, and raising your volumes. If not, post back with the errors, we'll drop back and punt, and try something else.
good luck.

e11 · 10-22-2004, 03:54 PM

ok basically...

$ modprobe maestro
no problem... i get the $ prompt again almost immediately.

Then i tried Sound Mixer (KMix), under "Current Mixer", there's nothing for me to choose from, and when it minimizes to the system tray, there's a "X" in front of the speaker icon.

Regards,

Edwin

Peacedog · 10-22-2004, 04:12 PM

Did you run modprobe as root or su -? Are there any other mixers installed? Try one of them. Please post the output of lsmod again, so we can see if the module indeed loaded.
good luck.

e11 · 10-22-2004, 04:26 PM

i had ran modprobe as root just now (can't run as normal user).

now the lsmod has a maestro and a soundcore:

Code:

ide_cd                 42656  0
cdrom                  40732  1 ide_cd
isofs                  37240  0
maestro                39240  0
soundcore              10336  1 maestro
ipv6                  264612  6
apm                    21100  2
rtc                    12760  0
dm_mod                 59772  0
capability              4520  0
commoncap               7232  1 capability
psmouse                20360  0
mousedev               10476  2
xircom_cb              11616  0
yenta_socket           21728  1
ds                     18756  4
pcmcia_core            70900  2 yenta_socket,ds
af_packet              22600  2
ext2                   71848  3
ext3                  127240  0
jbd                    62616  1 ext3
mbcache                 9348  2 ext2,ext3
ide_generic             1408  0
piix                   13440  1
ide_disk               19296  5
ide_core              139940  4 ide_cd,ide_generic,piix,ide_disk
sd_mod                 21696  0
ata_piix                8164  0
libata                 41604  1 ata_piix
scsi_mod              125196  2 sd_mod,libata
unix                   28692  236
font                    8320  0
vesafb                  6656  0
cfbcopyarea             3840  1 vesafb
cfbimgblt               3040  1 vesafb
cfbfillrect             3776  1 vesafb

Regards,

Edwin

Peacedog · 10-22-2004, 04:32 PM

Have you tried any other mixers? Now that the modules are loaded it should be a matter of unmuting your sound and raising your volume.
good luck.

e11 · 10-22-2004, 04:44 PM

ok, half the problem is solved... when i startx as root, its working, no error messages, and i can play CDs.

but when i startx as a normal user, i still get the same error message:

Code:

Sound server informational message:

Error while initializing the sound driver:

device /dev/dsp can't be opened (Permission denied)

The sound server will continue, using the null output device.

Regards,

Edwin

Peacedog · 10-22-2004, 04:56 PM

You could try adding yourself to the audio group, and the cdrom group.
Alternitively these commands should give all users permissions to the devices.

chmod a+x /dev/dsp
chmod a+x /dev/mixer

good luck.

e11 · 10-22-2004, 05:03 PM

Yup it works!! Thanks!!!

Then i gave permission for /dev/cdrom and i can play CDs as well now!

Thanks again!

Btw, what other device would I have to give permission to all users for the system to run smoothly?

Thanks and Regards,

Edwin

Peacedog · 10-22-2004, 05:07 PM

That's not the most secure thing to do or secure way to go about things. You might want to read up on permissions here.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ticle&artid=20

I don't see a real problem with all users having access to the sound devices, that's why I made that suggestion. Glad you got it sorted.
good luck.

e11 · 10-22-2004, 05:13 PM

hey, if u don't mind, could you help me take a look at another problem i encountered?

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=246033

its also KDE related, but its kinda peculiar...

Thanks!!

Regards,

Edwin

Peacedog · 10-22-2004, 05:18 PM

I'll be glad to take a look at it, but, I'll make no promises, I've got some other threads going at the moment.

In any event good luck with it.