Can someone explain to me why I would need ALSA?

Royle · 01-10-2005, 07:40 PM

Ok, so I just installed debian. There is no sound for my applications (such as GAIM). I read somewhere that I need to install ALSA for sound. Can someone explain to me why I need this and how to install it? Any help is appreciated.

Demonbane · 01-10-2005, 07:57 PM

Just think of it as Linux drivers for your sound card
http://alsa-project.org/

cowboy45 · 01-10-2005, 07:58 PM

ALSA is what controls the sound in linux, and its a large collection of drivers for different cards and such.

You can get it at http://www.alsa-project.org/

cs-cam · 01-11-2005, 12:07 AM

Since you're on debian a simple apt-get install alsa should probably cover it for you

reddazz · 01-11-2005, 12:12 AM

If you are using kernel 2.6x, alsa should be built in to the kernel, since you are using Debian, this may not be the case.

TaNeK · 01-11-2005, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reddazz
If you are using kernel 2.6x, alsa should be built in to the kernel, since you are using Debian, this may not be the case.

having ALSA built in didn't work for me, having it as modules works though :S

scuzzman · 01-11-2005, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TaNeK
having ALSA built in didn't work for me, having it as modules works though :S

Likewise

reddazz · 01-11-2005, 03:16 AM

Mmm thats suprising. I actually disabled it as modules on my Slack machine and just use the default alsa from kernel 2.6.10.