I am running an Asus A6R laptop with an inbuilt mic. Although I activated it around two years ago when running Windows..I can not seem to get it working with Linux. My distro is Fedora Core 4.

I have been into alsamixer, the mic is unmuted, micselect is set on 'mic1' and the boost is also on. I have looked around the net for some help but I have had no success. I have used krec to see if the bar moves, and I get nothing. I want this so that I can record into a wav file and release it on the internet. Can anyone help?

Thanks.
Sarah

Hi, first thing, FC4 is damn old. Upgrading to FC8 is not only much more secure, but it also likely has much more up to date drivers, so that alone might solve your issue. If your hardware is a little older and can't really handle a modern gnome or kde, you can always install Fedora8 with a lower resource window manager like icewm or fluxbox.

If you won't upgrade, (and you really really should), then the best bet might be to download and install the latest alsa drivers from http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Main_Page

You'll need the alsa-driver, alsa-lib and alsa-util. They are the first 3 listed under current versions. If you need help installing them just reply back here and we'll see what we can do. There are a number of very good howto's on the net though, so you should be able to handle it. Orrrrr....well....you could just let the FC8 install do it for you, be more secure, and have loads more uptodate applications too...... That would be the smart and easy way to do it. FC4 likely uses oss to handle the sound. With oss only one sound program can use your sound hardware at a time. This is very limiting, and could be your problem, as it sounds like you have the mixer and mic set up correctly. Modern versions of Linux use alsa to handle sound, and alsa can certainly walk and chew gum at the same time. (oss can't.)

Good luck setting that up....or .... you could let FC8 set it up for you.....or Kubuntu...my distro of choice...the (K)(x)buntu's are very user friendly, and have a reputation of being very friendly towards new users. You won't run across the famous linux taunt of "RTFM" on ubuntu forums, as it's banned.

Good luck with that...and let us know how it works out....

David

Hey. Thanks for the advice, although I already have the three you mentioned installed. Do not be so harsh about FC4, I love it. Quite honestly, I do not want a user-friendly version of linux, as I enjoy having to work a little in configuration. It gives a greater sense of gratification. Although upgrading to FC8 may seem like a worthwhile move, this was my first version of linux. I am attached, and I feel as if losing it is like losing a little bit of me.

FC4 uses alsa, thankfully; and I have no problems getting two programs to make sounds at the same time. I wish it was that simple. Thanks for the attempt though, if you have any more advice: please send it my way.

Thanks,
Sarah

Do you have the latest version of Alsa ? It might make a difference, and it's nearly risk free. Also, I just noticed that your name is Sarah, and you are sentimental about a version of Linux. You aren't single by any chance are you ? Too much to hope for I know. Good luck with that....

David

I have version 1.0.9 and the latest is 1.0.15 so I will go ahead and update alsa tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes. I am single, a little too introverted for those around me I guess. Send me a message any time you like.

Take Care.

Hi, how are things in North Carolina ? I almost ran away to NC when I was 10. I looked over a map and chose Kill Devil Hills. I grew up a little rough, and wanted to get away. I live in Costa Rica right now, moving back to Wisconsin in late Feb. Do you use an instant messenger ? My yahoo IM ID is vagabondgambler. Do you like NC ? Traveled much ?

David