I've been told to recompile my kernel or sound module to get 5.1 sound working (currently I have only the two front speakers working in stereo). How do I do this.

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kernel compiling is not that easy.. if you make a mistake.. you might not be able to boot your system. try searching for "kernel compile how to". you will need updated tools/software...

cd to /usr/src/linux
then type: make menuconfig
do some changes with your sound card if it does support 5.1(oss) or try alsa.
type: make bzImage && make modules && make modules_install
then: cp arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot/vmlinuz-new
then: cp System.map /boot/System.map

then add an entry to lilo.conf or grub...
ex.
image=/boot/vmlinuz-new
root=/dev/hda1
label = linux-new
read-only

then run lilo..
if you get no errors then reboot.

good luck... again I advice you to read alot more,and if you think you already know it, read more again. before recompiling your kernel.

Sounds complicated

what distro are you using?

Vector Linux (a Slackware based distro)

i suggest you use slackware.. then go to LQ slackware forums.. they have a great tutorial on how to compile kernel.

Thanks for the advice