Exactly that, works fine elsewhere. Not running anything else that uses sound too (shouldn't be a problem regardless, but worth mentioning).

Any ideas are appreciated.

install these packages.

alsa-base
alsa-oss
alsa-tools
alsa-utils

alsamixergui (optional but some sound cards default to zero volume so i use this)

if you use kde go to control centre and change the audio to either use alsa or default.

restart computer...restarting services didn't seem to work for me.

after reboot and you are at your desktop, run alsamixergui or your fav sound mixer and crank up the volume....be sure to turn off the mute on pcm and front...

side affects include having to configure xmms and some other programs to use alsa.