linux distro: redhat linux 8.0
sound car: intel AC'97 Audio

1. Intially, the sound card wasn't automatically configured correctly , erro messages (...."/dev/dsp"....) was printed.
2. i use sndconfig ,and it does work. But sometimes when listening music,
following messages are displayed.
/***************/
could not open audio
please check that:
1. you have the correct output plugin selected
2. No other programs is blocking the soundcard
3. you soundcard is configurd properly
/***************/
i didn't run other soundcard applications then.
what are the possible problems?
how to solve them?

thanks.

Does it only happen when playing music?

It may be that your system is only able to make 1 sound at a time...I had a problem like that, which the ALSA drivers solved. quickly minimise and maximise a window (with sounds enabled) and see if it plays the sound overlapping, or if it only does it once....a non techie way, hehe

I don' t test other applications.
I run only one application , xmms
My souncard is Intel 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio, it's embedded into motherbord.
is it the problem of i810_audio driver?
what is ALSA drivers you reffered?
where can i get it ?

http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/ go there

There is links to a few intel chipset drivers, I aint sure which is yours, but you mentioned 810, and that is on the list

I am gonna go back to Redhat 8.0 it looks like, since I cant run anything in super user mode for some reason

Alsa solved my problems
(well the new version did)

And that was a GameTheatre XP with Digital Speakers...

In the imortal words of quake "Impressive" !!! lol

Now i also get it work!
These days i always have no access to the www site.
but it is different today.
and i found intersting on it.
Thank you all,especially ladfromwales.