I'm running a hd installation of knoppix, updated to debian sarge...

I'm having problems with my soundcard (which is a soundblaster somethingorother).

when KDE starts, I get an artsmessage error saying something about i/o devices.

If I open a file in xmms and click play, a message pops up saying:

'please check that:
your sound card is configured properly
you have the correct output plugin selected
no other program is blocking the soundcard'

I've tried using sndconfig to configure the card - it detects a card is there, but I can't hear the test sound.
I'm very new to linux, so I'm not sure what else I can do to try and fix it.

The really odd thing is that sounds from flash games etc work perfectly, so obviously the card will work!

I suggest you to desactivate the kde sound server (arts daemon). You can do that in the kde control panel. Then, you will be less annoyed. Some applications re-launch it (noatun, a multimedia player, for example).
Remember that many noobs questions are answered on this site, so don't hesitate to search. You'll find precious knowledge without pain, and sometimes, you'll get answers before questions ^^.
Enjoy .

I know this thread is dated.... but I searched for over an hour for a solution to a very simple problem. I came across a lot of mind numbing posts and I wanted to post my solution.

Symptom:
Sound works great as root but not as normal user.

Solution:
Add user to the audio group. Log user out completely and log back in (assuming you usermodded via su).
#usermod -G audio 'normal_username'

If permission problem persists:
chmod 666 -R /dev/sound


Symptom:
launching xmms as root works fine. Normal user produces this error:

Please check that:

Your sound card is configured properly
You have the correct output plugin selected
No other program is blocking the soundcard

Solution:
Right-click on xmms > Options > Preferences > Audio I/O Plugins
Select your "Output Plugin" (e.g. ALSA, OSS).

In my case..... I used ALSA.

Obviously, I should have done the second thing the error message stated....But I have gotten used to things just not working properly in Linux and the error messages to be cryptic.

P.S.: I HATE DEPENDANCIES THAT HAVE DEPENDANCIES THAT HAVE DEPENDANCIES THAT HAVE DEPENDANCIES...... I wish my eyes would bleed sometimes to divert my attention from the real pain.....


Hope this helps you...