Ok,

I am very green and admit that right off the bat... I come from a tech background and was convinced by a friend to load Slackware 10.1 on my Dell Latitude C600 laptop. So far I am very happy and constantly surprised by the OS. I have a couple of problems however. This posting is regarding the sound problem.

I get this error at start up of X (See Below)

Sound server informational message:
Error while initializing the sound driver:
device /dev/dsp can't be opened (No such device)
The sound server will continue, using the null output device.

I have no sound available on the machine at this point.

Ok, that said, I would ask this small request... As I said I am "green" so I don't know the commands in linux at all, I am still just learning to navigate in term, although I am learning fast I still have issues with use so please please please be as descriptive as possible. At the point even the redundent is needed.

I would also like to thank anyone that replies to this thread for their time, as I said I am a tech so I know you are giving of your time to reply. Rest assured I will pay it forward when I learn more here and already do in the (dare I say) windows world......


GOAL -- To become WindowsLess!!!! on my private machines........ I am tired of Windows even though all of the problems with Windows employs me as a tech, I am sick of it for personal use and am exstatic about moving to Linux as my main source of computing. I already support Linux in any way I can... I know that Slackware is free but after I downloaded it I purchased the CD's just to support "the cause"

Again, thank you for your time... Now I must go create a posting for my Cisco 350 wireless adapter.

Bye for now

OK - have you seen this:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...002/11/4/36425

OK it's about RH8-9 but it talks about exactly your error and the solutions are not distro dependant.

basically - check that /dev/dsp exists ... since the error says it dosn't.
If it dosn't exist, then create it.
Your buddy who suggested slack 10.1 to a newcomer should be hauled in to explain this to you too!

Here, http://help.lockergnome.com/lofivers...p/t29794.html, is a more in-depth discussion about configuring alsa.

There are suggestions of other places to visit too.

Simon,

Your a genius... I read the information that you posted and it lead me to run alsoconf after which I was able to play sound. I rebooted the laptop and the intro to Slackware played as well as the error disappeared. I really appreciate the help.

Now that said, I must come to the aid of my good friend that suggested I load Slackware on this laptop. I had attempted to Load Fedora Core 3 (which I have running on a PC) on the laptop first and it would never get past the initial screen. It would lock up every time. I could not get it to load, so I attempted to load the latest Suse distro and it too would stall out. My friend indicated that I should do one of two things, either put up a post regarding the installation problems or load Slackware. I chose the ladder as I feel I am up to the challenge. I know that this is going to be a hard road but I can't wait to be Windowsless!

Thanks for your help.

Now all I have left is to figure out this elusive wireless issue that I am having and I will have a complete package.

Have a good one!

Thanks a heap - hope you used the "thanks" button too?

Many distros seem to have "issues" with dell laptops - at least I keep seing posts about it. FC3 is amongst them. There are also solutions already posted - so you can also search for your answers.

I considered Slack after RH9 stopped being supported but decided, from all the slack questions I'm answering, that I don't want hours of pain just to install the thing. Newbies seem to be having more trouble with slack that about any other system (possible exception of knoppix - cue flames)

I keep to Fedora Core for the support.

OTOH: FC problems seem to occer whenever someone want to do something more customised - while slack is used be quite a few developers. So the initial learning curve may pay off. Have a good time, you're going to learn soooo much