What is using my /dev/dsp ?

Elomis · 02-07-2009, 07:24 PM

Hey Guys,

I have an OpenSUSE 11 box with onboard sound. I have a problem whereby a game I run uses /dev/dsp and for some reason whinges at startup that /dev/dsp is busy. Nine times out of ten when I run the game I get no sound in it. All other system sounds work fine.

Is there a way I can say what is using dev dsp so I can kill it? I don't know if it's the last instance of the game not releasing it properly or something. I've been told lsof | grep dsp should show it but that command doesn't show anything - is it possible my game is incorrectly asserting dsp is busy ? How would I confirm?

jdkaye · 02-08-2009, 12:34 PM

Hi Elomis,
could it be esd?
When the sound is not working try:

Code:

ps -A | grep esd

If it is running, then just kill the process and you should have your sound back.
cheers,
jdk