No sound after kernel compile?
 

I know the kernel compile and grub addition definitely worked, because I'm typing this message on 2.6.12.3.

However, there's no sound.

What should I do? Is ALSA involved in this?

Sound worked fine on 2.6.10, the default kernel for Ubuntu Hoary.

Did you compile your sound card into your kernel or build it as a module?

I actually wasn't brave enough to do any serious compilation.

I did the "make oldconfig" with my 2.6.10 configuration.

So, I don't really know the answer to your question.

Why does it matter?

Did you run 'alsaconf' as root?

alsaconf apparently is not a binary in my system.

Is that the key to get sound?

It could be the key if the kernel is ALSA-enabled and the your soundcard is supported (and most cards are). So run as root 'apt-get install alsa-base alsa-utils', wait for the installation to be complete then run again 'alsaconf' which should detect and configure the soundcard. If it works, you may use 'alsamixer' for adjusting volumes.