Hi everyone,
I just recently (yesterday) made the switch from windows over to linux. Right now running Slackware 9.1. I am currently using the KDE GUI and so far I must say Im quite impressed. However, I have run into a couple problems:

1. I have no sound. I thought it would autoconfigure this at installation, but I guess not. I have tried putting a CD in the CD-ROM and it will play in the CD player, but I wont hear anything coming out of the speakers. Yes, both the hardware and software volume are on. Can anyone explain how I can go about configuring my sound?

2. I also have no idea how Im supposed to install new software. I downloaded a file last night that was a .tar.gz. In windows installing was as easy as unzipping and using... however when I attempted to open this file it told me that it had a whole bunch of dependencies that I dont have. I can post an exact message if someone wants me to, but I will have to redownload the file first.

If anyone can help me on either of these, Id really appreciate it. Im currently reading a whole bunch of documents on linux and KDE so maybe Ill come across it soon on my own, but so far Ive had no luck.

(1) Which soundcard do you have?

(2) What is the name of the file you were trying to install?

Well I solved the whole installation problem on my own. However, still no sound. How do I go about checking the exact specs on my sound card with Linux? I know generally what one I have but not the exact model, I used to just check in windows whenever I needed to know.

Good job solving your problem.

Do, as root from a terminal ->

# lspci

and then post your results here.

P.S. Please put your distribution in your User Control Panel so it will help people to help you. Location wouldn't be bad, as it helps folks know your time schedule somewhat. For instance, where I live I'm GMT +08:00

Here is the output from that command:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corp. 82850 850 (Tehama) Chipset Host Bridge (MCH) (rev 04)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corp. 82850 850 (Tehama) Chipset AGP Bridge (rev 04)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corp. 82801BA/CA/DB PCI Bridge (rev 04)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corp. 82801BA ISA Bridge (LPC) (rev 04)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corp. 82801BA IDE U100 (rev 04)
00:1f.2 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801BA/BAM USB (Hub #1) (rev 04)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corp. 82801BA/BAM SMBus (rev 04)
00:1f.4 USB Controller: Intel Corp. 82801BA/BAM USB (Hub #2) (rev 04)
00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corp. 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio (rev 04)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV17 [GeForce4 MX 420] (rev a3)
02:08.0 Modem: Broadcom Corporation BCM4212 v.90 56k modem (rev 02)
02:09.0 Ethernet controller: Davicom Semiconductor, Inc. Ethernet 100/10 MBit (rev 31)

You have an Intel onboard soundchip. For now, go to the ALSA site and download those first three files labeled 1.0.1 in the Stable release column. There will be one for Driver, one for Library, and one for Utilities. I'll be back with further instructions in a minute (breakfast).

Ok, Ive downloaded all of the files you told me to, so Im all set for you when you return.

Eastern Standard Time. Are you doing Daylight now? If so, you're 13 hours behind me. About 9:20 p.m. for you.

ALSA has great instructions. The ones for your soundcard are here I think they are pretty self-explanatory. A couple of notes, though.

First, you can save a step in untarring the files if you so desire. Where the instructions sayyou may use tar -xvjf, rather than the first two lines above, and untar them in one step.

Second, you don't need to do the ./snddevices command since you're using the new drivers, and you also won't have to do "chmod a+rw /dev/dsp /dev/mixer /dev/sequencer /dev/midi" since you didn't do the ./snddevices command and set permissions to root.

Third, when you do this line you will basically be through with those instructions.

Next, exit the terminal from su (super user, root) to a normal user by typing exit. Then run
$ alsamixer
and press the M key on your keyboard to unmute all the channels. Turn up the slide with the up arrow key on any channels you think are appropriate for you.

Then su to root and run
# alsactl store
so that your settings will be stored. Then run
# alsaconf
and you should be done. Logout from su by typing exit.

Hey, I think this is it. Going to the market now, and will check back on you later.

Well, I must say linux is a whole lot more complicated than windows... but alot more fun too I got it to work perfectly fine, thanks so much for all of the help. Im almost positive I would not have been able to do that without you. Thanks again!

It is complicated to a point, but it will soon hit you that you have complete
control over the OS, and everything that it does. And yes, it is fun.......

You're right about Linux being more complicated. You know, of course, that it's because all the Open Source software is written by buys like you and me, who aren't being paid to put it all together. The hardware manufacturers, with very few exceptions, don't make drivers for Linux - because they can't sell those drivers to people who give away their software.

And it is a great sense of accomplishment when one reads, and learns, and actually gets something like their soundcard to work.

Now, you must study some and then recompile your kernel. Use the guide posted by DrOzz Newbie Guide To Compiling A Kernel and you should be able to do it. Now, before doing this, you need to know all about your hardware. And to determine what all those questions you'll be asked while you compile your kernel, read /usr/src/linux/Documentation/Configure.help and you'll get a good start.

Compiling a kernel for your specific hardware is how you unleash the raw power of Linux.

WHOA WHOA WHOA...

If he's running slack 9.1 , ALSA comes as standard...

Just type alsamixer and turn up your volume's. Not forgetting to unmute with the M key, and save your sound settings with alsactl store

Evilone

Um, no offence, but you're finding Linux complicated because you're using Slack. I mean if you use something like Fedora, Mandrake or SuSE it's all autoconfigured for you and has nice graphical installers etc.... if you want to use slack then great but you dived in at the deep end

But then again... If you want nice graphical autoconfig :

use windows !!!

I'v tried all the suggestions in this thread and in others and still can't get my card to work. It is an old ISA SB16 Vibra16. Worked before on another PC with Slackware, but since I moved to the new PC - nothing. I am running Slackware 11. Here's a bunch of info if it helps any....

Thanks

lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 440BX/ZX/DX - 82443BX/ZX/DX Host bridge (rev 03)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 440BX/ZX/DX - 82443BX/ZX/DX AGP bridge (rev 03)
00:04.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ISA (rev 02)
00:04.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 IDE (rev 01)
00:04.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 USB (rev 01)
00:04.3 Bridge: Intel Corporation 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ACPI (rev 02)
00:09.0 Ethernet controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT86C100A [Rhine] (rev 06)
00:0b.0 VGA compatible controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 86C326 5598/6326 (rev 0b)



Module Size Used by Not tainted
snd-seq-midi 3232 0 (autoclean) (unused)
snd-seq-midi-event 3208 0 (autoclean) [snd-seq-midi]
snd-opl3-synth 8728 0 (autoclean) (unused)
snd-seq-instr 3696 0 (autoclean) [snd-opl3-synth]
snd-seq-midi-emul 4480 0 (autoclean) [snd-opl3-synth]
snd-ainstr-fm 1088 0 (autoclean) [snd-opl3-synth]
snd-seq 33552 0 (autoclean) [snd-seq-midi snd-seq-midi-event snd-opl3-synth snd-seq-instr snd-seq-midi-emul]
snd-pcm-oss 28928 0 (unused)
snd-mixer-oss 11928 0 [snd-pcm-oss]
snd-sb16 6728 1
snd-pnp 2864 0 [snd-sb16]
snd-sb16-dsp 5560 0 [snd-sb16]
snd-sb16-csp 14632 0 [snd-sb16]
snd-sb-common 7676 0 [snd-sb16 snd-sb16-dsp snd-sb16-csp]
snd-opl3-lib 5636 0 [snd-opl3-synth snd-sb16]
snd-hwdep 4156 0 [snd-sb16-csp snd-opl3-lib]
snd-mpu401-uart 3120 0 [snd-sb16]
snd-rawmidi 12224 0 [snd-seq-midi snd-mpu401-uart]
snd-seq-device 3716 0 [snd-seq-midi snd-opl3-synth snd-seq snd-opl3-lib snd-rawmidi]
snd-pcm 52804 0 [snd-pcm-oss snd-sb16 snd-sb16-dsp]
snd-timer 13168 0 [snd-seq snd-opl3-lib snd-pcm]
snd 34304 1 [snd-seq-midi snd-seq-midi-event snd-opl3-synth snd-seq-instr snd-seq snd-pcm-oss snd-mixer-oss snd-sb16 snd-sb16-dsp snd-sb16-csp snd-sb-common snd-opl3-lib snd-hwdep snd-mpu401-uart snd-rawmidi snd-seq-device snd-pcm snd-timer]
snd-page-alloc 4980 0 [snd-opl3-synth snd-seq-instr snd-seq snd-mixer-oss snd-sb16-csp snd-sb-common snd-hwdep snd-rawmidi snd-seq-device snd-pcm snd-timer snd]
keybdev 1828 0 (unused)
mousedev 4244 1
hid 21380 0 (unused)
usbmouse 1912 0 (unused)
input 3104 0 [keybdev mousedev hid usbmouse]
uhci 23804 0 (unused)
usbcore 56812 1 [hid usbmouse uhci]
via-rhine 11824 1
mii 2304 0 [via-rhine]
crc32 2880 0 [via-rhine]
ide-scsi 9392 0
sb 7540 0
sb_lib 33870 0 [sb]
uart401 5988 0 [sb_lib]
sound 54504 0 [sb_lib uart401]
soundcore 3300 6 [snd sb_lib sound]
isa-pnp 29328 0 [snd-sb16 snd-pnp sb]
agpgart 45092 0 (unused)