After finding out that alsaconfig screws up my mouse and spending DAYS searching every corner of the internet on a way to get it working again, I've decided on an alternate route; start again but don't use alsaconfig.

My question today is... how would I go about setting up an ISA sound card withought using alsaconfig on a fresh slack10 install?

If its a fresh slack 10 install, follow these steps:
(Hopefully your install will be a full ~3gb slack 10 install which will include all kernel drivers etc. including ALSA)
Run:

bash#alsamixer

THis will open up a simple interfaace with bars where you can change volume of various sound wave stuff...

bash#alsactl start

Saves changes for future reboots.

Now put a CD in the drive and plug your headphones into the CD drive (if you've got your CD connected to the motherboard. If noe use the soud line out jack on your card.)
You should now be able to hear...
If your lucky, you will also be able to hear from your sound.
If the above bash commands failed, download the relevant drivers for your sound
from the web if they exist. There should be something there for you.
Then install the drivers and repeat the above bash commands.

I hope this helps. It worked for me.

Sound help seems to be a neglected thing..