although I wouldnt really consider myself a linux newbie, i deffinily am when it comes to audio.
I recently tried using headphones on my laptop. after 20 minutes of randomly fumbling with alsa and xmms options, i finaly got sound. I also almost ripped an eardrum. sound will only come out if the volume slider (for "IEC958 Playback AC97-SPSA" whatever that is) is at max. it is not a problem of a weak signal because when it comes out it blasts. I have no idea how to troubleshoot this one.

any help?

OK, If you run aumix, what are the different audio sliders that are shown?

"bash: aumix: command not found"

gnome-volume-control however has a plethera:

___sliders in the "Playback" tab___
Master
Master Mono
Headphone
3D Control - Center
3d Control - Depth
PCM
Line-in
CD
Microphone
Video
Phone
IEC958 Playback AC97-SPSA
PC Speaker
Aux

___sliders in the "Capture" tab___
capture

___check boxes in the "Switches" tab___
3d Control - Switch
Line-in Capture
CD Capture
Microphone capture
Mic Boost (+20dB)
Video Capture
Phone Capture
IEC958
Aux Capture
Mix
Mix Mono
External Amplifier

___Drop boxes in the "Options" tab___
PCM Out Path & Mute
--pre 3D
--post 3D

Mic Select
--Mic1
--Mic2

Mono Output Select
--Mix
--Mic


I have tried pretty much every combination of all this switches and sliders. there seems to be no happy medium volume.