sound drivers
 

lookim not that new to linux but im new to installing drivers. my problem is that i have a 5.1 surround and i can get all 5 speakers to work in windows but not in linux i only get 2.1,
Im trying to update the sound driver assuming it would include the 5.1 config software. i have an intagrated via ac97 sound card and i have the drivers in a .rar foler and am not sure how to install the drivers in linux. all i really need to know is how to install the driver unless someone else has suggestions on how to fix this problem

Look up your sound card on ALSA ( http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/ ) for detailed instructions.

ok i tried to follow the instructions and it tells me..... "n a shell type these commands:

Make a directory to store the alsa source code in.

cd /usr/src
mkdir alsa
cd alsa
cp /downloads/alsa-* ."
ok i get the directory made and i change to the directory but when i type in the command cp /downloads/alsa-* it tells me.... "cp: missing destination file
Try `cp --help' for more information."

so i tried cp --help and i looked and tells me that when the destination file is missint to type -u so i typed in the command cp -u /downloads/alsa-* and cp /downloads/alsa-* -u and it ells me the same thing that the destination file is missing. im stumped any suggestions?

For the cp command, you need to type the source and the destination.
So you'll want this:
cp /downloads/alsa-* /usr/src/alsa/