When logging in as anything other than root I get the "sound server can't run in real time, run artswraper as root" message. From another post I understand I need to "chmod u+s artswrapper". Apparently this file is supposed to be located a few levels down in the /opt. My opt directory is empty. Where's my artswrapper??

You could try running 'updatedb' and then running 'locate artswrapper' (do all of this as root). That my tell you the location of artswrapper.

thanks, found it. I no longer get the message about sound server unable to run in realtime when non-root, but now there's a new problem. I can play mp3's sometimes. Sometimes I hit play on xmms and it plays fine, other times I get a message saying;
" couldn't open audio, please check that; 1.) you have the correct output plugin selected, 2.) no other programs is blocking the soundcard, 3.) your soundcard is configured properly

I figure if the soundcard or plugin weren't proper, it would NEVER play, not sometimes play right? And in between xmms working and not working I don't start any new apps that could grab the sound card. What am I missing here?

thks!
Jim

hahaha, I've had this problem before.....I think it has to do with KDE error noises grabbing the sound server (arts), and not letting go for about 60 seconds. I think the way that I worked around the problem was to go into kcontrol, and turn off all sound notifications for all events (in all applications). The best way of turning them all off is to go to kcontrol --> Sound and Multimedia --> System Notifocations; check the box that says 'Apply to all applications' and then click 'Turn off all.'

Hey, I don't like it to beep at me anyway.