...same today.
My SB Live is DOA.
Installed virgin 9.2,
So all my files are shiny and new.
Help me play my CDs
And my (legal) MP3s.

Silent night, holy night.
Can't hear Quake, things aren't right.
Glorius (sound) streams from websites afar
Reach my PC, but the silence don't mar.
Help to save my sound board,
Help to save my sound board.

Silent waves, wholly calm.
Nothing muted or turned down.
I dual boot Windows, know the hardware is fine,
But my RPMs may be revved out of line.
Lead my board to rebirth,
Then you'll hear sounds of my mirth.

-- with apologies to Joseph Mohr (of Mohr's law fame?) and Francis X(treme) Gruber


So, to summarize:
My PC has a SB Live board which operates correctly under Windows 98 SE. I have installed Mandrake 9.2 from the ISO CDs. It located the SB Live and I see it under the Mandrake Control Center. I have run Kmix and unmuted and turned up every control. I get no sounds whatsoever, from any source.

What do I need to do to to resolve the problem(s)?

More details and evidence will follow soon.

complete and total newbie...
-Gnunoob

You could try Mandrake Control Center>>Hardware>><pic the souncard driver>>Run config tool>><pick the other driver that is ALSA>

See if that works? I dunno, my card is an Audigy and the OSS and ALSA both work, but I use the ALSA. I had to install the AuMix with the ALSA drivers to make it quit setting the PCM volume to zero every time it booted into Gnome. I don't use KDE because I like to have less buggy features than more buggy features.

Various details and further info:

1. The first time I ran Kmix it was from a terminal. The command "kmix" produced this result:

Creating link /root/.kde/socket-localhost.
Created link from "/root/.kde/socket-localhost" to "/tmp/ksocket-root"
iceauth: creating new authority file /root/.ICEauthority
Creating link /root/.kde/tmp-localhost.
Created link from "/root/.kde/tmp-localhost" to "/tmp/kde-root"
Loading required GL library /usr/X11R6/lib/libGL.so.1.2
kbuildsycoca running...
File kcookiejarrc, id kcookiescfg.upd:kde2.2/b1
File kcookiejarrc, id kcookiescfg.upd:kde3.1/cvs
File kdeglobals, id kded.upd:kde3.0
File kdeprintrc, id kdeprintrc.upd:kde-3.1-toolbar
File kio_httprc, id kioslave.upd:kde2.2/r1
File kioslaverc, id kioslave.upd:kde2.2/r1
File kio_httprc, id kioslave.upd:kde2.2/r2
File kioslaverc, id kioslave.upd:kde2.2/r3
File kcmdisplayrc, id kcmdisplayrc.upd:kde3
File dummy, id favicons.upd:kde3
File kdeglobals, id kaccel.upd:kde3.1/r3
File ksmserverrc, id ksmserver.upd:kde3
File konsolerc, id konsole.upd:kde2.2/r1
File konsolerc, id konsole.upd:kde3.0/r1
File kickerrc, id kickerrc.upd:kde_3_1_sizeChanges
File klipperrc, id klipperrc.upd:25082001
File klipperrc, id klipperrc.upd:kde3.1
File kdeglobals, id klippershortcuts.upd:04112002
File kwinrc, id kwin.upd:kde3.0r1
File kdeglobals, id socks.upd:kde3.0/r1
File kpgprc, id kpgp.upd:preKDE3_a
File kpgprc, id kpgp.upd:3.1-1
File noatunrc, id noatun.upd:noatun20
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:1
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:4
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:5
File kpgprc, id kmail.upd:5
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:6
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:7
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:8
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:9
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:3.1-update-identities
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:3.1-use-identity-uoids
File kmail.eventsrc, id kmail.upd:3.1-new-mail-notification
File kmailrc, id kmail.upd:3.1.4-dont-use-UOID-0-for-any-identity
File kdeveloprc, id kdevelop2.upd:kde2.2
File kopeterc, id kopete-account-kconf_update.upd:kopete0.7/r1
File kopeterc, id kopete-pluginloader.upd:kopete0.7/r1
Write ViewMenuBar -> false
Remove Key 'General'/'ViewToolBar'
Running script 'useragent.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatehnXOeb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateM5TZkc.tmp
Running script 'proxytype.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateBf3Ptc.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateCaeURa.tmp
Running script 'move_favicons.sh'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateJ1da4a.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatejo3K1a.tmp
Running script 'convertShortcuts.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateFvScJb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateG0c9Ua.tmp
Removing group Global Keys (FORCED)
Removing group Global Shortcuts (FORCED)
Removing group Global Keys (FORCED)
Removing group Global Shortcuts (FORCED)
Removing group Global Keys (FORCED)
Removing group Global Shortcuts (FORCED)
Write alternateBackground -> 238,246,255
Write background -> 230,231,230
Write buttonBackground -> 230,231,230
Write buttonForeground -> 0,0,0
Write fixed -> Monospace,10,-1,5,0,0,0,0,0,0
Write font -> Sans,10,-1,5,0,0,0,0,0,0
Write foreground -> 0,0,0
Write linkColor -> 0,0,192
Write menuFont -> Sans,10,-1,5,0,0,0,0,0,0
Write selectBackground -> 33,68,156
Write selectForeground -> 255,255,255
Write taskbarFont -> Sans,10,-1,5,0,0,0,0,0,0
Write toolBarFont -> Sans,10,-1,5,0,0,0,0,0,0
Write visitedLinkColor -> 128,0,128
Write windowBackground -> 255,255,255
Write windowForeground -> 0,0,0
Write Popup Launch Menu -> F13
Write WidgetStyle -> Galaxy
Write PopupMenuContext -> Menu
Write Charset -> iso8859-1
Write Country -> us
Write Language -> C
Write activeBackground -> 33,68,156
Write activeBlend -> 33,68,156
Write activeFont -> Sans,10,-1,5,0,0,0,0,0,0
Write activeForeground -> 255,255,255
Write activeTitleBtnBg -> 238,238,230
Write inactiveBackground -> 237,237,237
Write inactiveBlend -> 237,237,237
Write inactiveForeground -> 255,255,255
Write inactiveTitleBtnBg -> 238,238,230
Running script 'move_session_config.sh'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateGzXt9b.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateMPD3cb.tmp
Write has frame -> true
Write schema -> /usr/share/apps/konsole/Linux.schema
Write defaultfont -> fixed,12,5,15,50,0
Write MenuBar -> Enabled
Write scrollbar -> 2
Running script 'schemaStrip.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateo6Oatc.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateHWfnQb.tmp
Write MenuBar -> Enabled
Write defaultfont -> fixed,12,5,15,50,0
Write has frame -> true
Write schema -> Linux.schema
Write scrollbar -> 2
Write Hidden -> false
Write IconSize -> 0
Write IconText -> IconOnly
Write Index -> 0
Write NewLine -> false
Write Offset -> -2
Write Position -> Bottom
Write Fullscreen -> false
Write Height 1024 -> 373
Write MenuBar -> Enabled
Write WarnQuit -> true
Write Width 1280 -> 580
Write class -> konsole-mainwindow#1
Write defaultfont -> fixed,12,5,15,50,0
Write font -> 3
Write has frame -> true
Write history -> true
Write keytab -> 4
Write konsolearguments -> /bin/bash
Write schema -> Linux.schema
Write scrollbar -> 2
Running script 'kicker-3.1-properSizeSetting.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatehasJQb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateNf1qXb.tmp
Running script 'klipper-1-2.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateFRUEba.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateuDAUUa.tmp
Running script 'klipper-kde31.sh'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatejKpYRb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatelCbPZa.tmp
Write AutoStart -> true
Running script 'pluginlibFix.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatepJAtpb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateEdqlEb.tmp
Running script 'kpgp-3.1-upgrade-address-data.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateqmMYla.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_update8lpwGb.tmp
Write addressEntries -> 0
Running script 'noatun20update'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_update83cQua.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateNbZTAa.tmp
Invalid entry (missing '=') at /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateNbZTAa.tmp:1
Running script 'upgrade-transport.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateJQmAVb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_update5zK1Mb.tmp
Running script 'kmail-pgpidentity.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateprAHYb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatew3u4jb.tmp
Running script 'upgrade-signature.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatecMUzTa.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatecN0Zyb.tmp
Running script 'kmail-upd-identities.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_update66jLwb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateBRjGhc.tmp
Running script 'kmail-3.1-use-UOID-for-identities.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateVT2Q9b.tmp
Use of uninitialized value in hash element at /usr/share/apps/kconf_update/kmail-3.1-use-UOID-for-identities.pl line 45.
Use of uninitialized value in concatenation (.) or string at /usr/share/apps/kconf_update/kmail-3.1-use-UOID-for-identities.pl line 45.
Use of uninitialized value in hash element at /usr/share/apps/kconf_update/kmail-3.1-use-UOID-for-identities.pl line 49.
Use of uninitialized value in concatenation (.) or string at /usr/share/apps/kconf_update/kmail-3.1-use-UOID-for-identities.pl line 49.
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateOWq9wa.tmp
Write previous-identity -> <empty>
Write Default Identity -> <empty>
Running script 'kmail-3.1-update-new-mail-notification-settings.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateO1iFza.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_update4dG7ba.tmp
Running script 'kmail-3.1.4-dont-use-UOID-0-for-any-identity.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateuWoqdc.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_update6jkUwb.tmp
Running script 'kopete-account-kconf_update.sh'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updatei5PmJb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateHdnS0b.tmp
Running script 'kopete-pluginloader.pl'
Script: Writing entries to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateCrAaXb.tmp
Script: Filtered entries written to /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateNFjZgc.tmp
Removing group <empty>
Invalid entry (missing '=') at /tmp/kde-root/kconf_updateNFjZgc.tmp:1
kbuildsycoca running...
Loading required GL library /usr/X11R6/lib/libGL.so.1.2
ERROR: kmix: Mixer cannot be found.
Please check that the soundcard is installed and that
the soundcard driver is loaded.

ERROR: kmix: Mixer cannot be found.
Please check that the soundcard is installed and that
the soundcard driver is loaded.

ERROR: kmix: Mixer cannot be found.
Please check that the soundcard is installed and that
the soundcard driver is loaded.

ERROR: kmix: Mixer cannot be found.
Please check that the soundcard is installed and that
the soundcard driver is loaded.

[And, of course, at this point Kmix started running!!!]

2. For audio CDs, I am trying to use KsCD. I have already the problem that KsCD comes up not knowing the correct CD-ROM drive and have changed it to use /dev/scd1 and now I can at least open and close the door, choose tracks and watch the elapsed time count up.

3. Some threads/forums have suggested running "sndconfig". I do not have this command ("bash: sndconfig: command not found") even though I chose everything even vaguely audio/multimedia during installation. Used RPMDrake to get a version of SNDCONFIG. Installed it and rebooted. For some reason Kmix was active after logging on. Ran Sndconfig. It found the SBLive. Then it said "The Creative Labs SB Live! (audio) is not currently supported. OK?" (I thought only Windows did that "You're screwed. OK?" thing.) Chose OK and the app closed. No sound.

4. The Mandrake Control Center Harware section has this info (which looksc correct to me) about the board:

Vendor: ‎Creative Labs
Alternative drivers: ‎audigy:emu10k1
Bus: ‎PCI
Bus identification: ‎1102:2:1102:21
Location on the bus: ‎0:d:0
Description: ‎SB Live! (audio)
Module: ‎snd-emu10k1
Media class: ‎MULTIMEDIA_AUDIO

5. The Mandrake Control Center Harware section, Configure Module button produces a display asking for 9 parameters. None are filled in and I have no idea what values, if any, should be filled in.

6. The Mandrake Control Center Harware section, Run Config Tool button produces a display which has the snd-emu10k1 driver selected.

7. The Trouble Shooting button suggests issuing this
Command: lspcidrake -v | fgrep AUDIO
Results:
snd-emu10k1 : Creative Labs|SB Live! (audio) [MULTIMEDIA_AUDIO] (vendor:1102 device:0002 subv:1102 subd:0021)

8. The Trouble Shooting button suggests issuing this
Command: grep sound-slot /etc/modules.conf
Result:
alias sound-slot-0 snd-emu10k1

9. The Trouble Shooting button suggests issuing this
Command: /sbin/smod
Result:
bash: /sbin/smod: No such file or directory

10. The Trouble Shooting button suggests issuing this
Command: /sbin/chkconfig --list sound
Result:
sound 0:off 1:off 2:on 3:on 4:on 5:on 6:off

11. The Trouble Shooting button suggests issuing this
Command: /sbin/chkconfig --list alsa
Result:
alsa 0:off 1:off 2:on 3:on 4:on 5:on 6:off

12. The Trouble Shooting button suggests issuing this
Command: aumix -q
Result:
bash: aumix: command not found
Used RPMDrake to get a version of AUMIX Installed it and executed the command.
Result:
vol 100, 100, R
bass 100, 100
treble 100, 100
pcm 100, 100
speaker 100, 100
line 100, 100, P
mic 100, 100, P
cd 100, 100, P
igain 0, 0
line1 100, 100, P
phin 100, 100, P
video 100, 100, P

13. The Trouble Shooting button suggests issuing this
Command: /sbin/fuser -v /dev/dsp
Result:
[No output produced.]

14. Another thread suggested executing "lsmod" to get relevant info.
Here are the results:
Module Size Used by Not tainted
sd_mod 13804 0 (autoclean) (unused)
isofs 28148 1 (autoclean)
udf 91840 0 (autoclean)
autofs4 11412 2 (autoclean)
lp 8160 0
parport_pc 25544 1
parport 34472 1 [lp parport_pc]
snd-seq-midi 5056 0 (autoclean) (unused)
snd-emu10k1-synth 5276 0 (autoclean) (unused)
snd-emux-synth 31900 0 (autoclean) [snd-emu10k1-synth]
snd-seq-midi-emul 6924 0 (autoclean) [snd-emux-synth]
snd-seq-virmidi 4588 0 (autoclean) [snd-emux-synth]
snd-seq-oss 32000 0 (unused)
snd-seq-midi-event 6080 0 [snd-seq-midi snd-seq-virmidi snd-seq-oss]
snd-seq 42544 2 [snd-seq-midi snd-emux-synth snd-seq-midi-emul snd-seq-virmidi snd-seq-oss snd-seq-midi-event]
snd-pcm-oss 43652 0
snd-mixer-oss 14200 0 [snd-pcm-oss]
snd-emu10k1 70948 2 [snd-emu10k1-synth]
snd-rawmidi 17760 0 [snd-seq-midi snd-seq-virmidi snd-emu10k1]
snd-pcm 79588 0 [snd-pcm-oss snd-emu10k1]
snd-timer 18436 0 [snd-seq snd-pcm]
snd-util-mem 3040 0 [snd-emux-synth snd-emu10k1]
snd-page-alloc 9044 0 [snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm]
snd-hwdep 6304 0 [snd-emu10k1]
snd-seq-device 5832 0 [snd-seq-midi snd-emu10k1-synth snd-emux-synth snd-seq-oss snd-seq snd-emu10k1 snd-rawmidi]
snd-ac97-codec 45752 0 [snd-emu10k1]
snd 41380 2 [snd-seq-midi snd-emux-synth snd-seq-virmidi snd-seq-oss snd-seq-midi-event snd-seq snd-pcm-oss snd-mixer-oss snd-emu10k1 snd-rawmidi snd-pcm snd-timer snd-util-mem snd-hwdep snd-seq-device snd-ac97-codec]
nfsd 75280 0 (autoclean)
af_packet 14856 1 (autoclean)
sr_mod 17016 4 (autoclean)
floppy 55932 0
tulip 43968 1 (autoclean)
nls_iso8859-1 3484 3 (autoclean)
nls_cp850 4284 2 (autoclean)
vfat 11820 2 (autoclean)
fat 38040 0 (autoclean) [vfat]
supermount 84032 4 (autoclean)
ide-cd 34052 0
cdrom 32608 0 [sr_mod ide-cd]
tuner 11688 1 (autoclean)
msp3400 17120 1 (autoclean)
bttv 99648 0
i2c-algo-bit 8552 0 [bttv]
soundcore 6340 0 [snd bttv]
i2c-core 20484 0 [tuner msp3400 bttv i2c-algo-bit]
videodev 7936 2 [bttv]
ide-scsi 11376 2
scsi_mod 105792 3 [sd_mod sr_mod ide-scsi]
usb-uhci 25136 0 (unused)
usbcore 74988 1 [usb-uhci]
rtc 9004 0 (autoclean)
ext3 60048 3
jbd 39296 3 [ext3]

15. Another thread suggest "modprobe emu10k1". Not sure what this should do, but here are the results:
/lib/modules/2.4.22-21mdk/kernel/drivers/sound/emu10k1/emu10k1.o.gz: init_module: No such device
Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including invalid IO or IRQ parameters.
You may find more information in syslog or the output from dmesg
modprobe: insmod /lib/modules/2.4.22-21mdk/kernel/drivers/sound/emu10k1/emu10k1.o.gz failed
modprobe: insmod emu10k1 failed

16. The output from the "dmesg" command, suggested in #14 is large and does not appear to be related to audio. However there are lots of references to IRQ 14 which is assigned to the SB Live in the BIOS.

17. Just to clarify, this is a true retail SB Live board, not an OEM model which uses the emu10kX chip. (I am aware that those boards are not/poorly supported in Linux.)

I hope this info can help someone help me! Thanks,

-Gnunoob

Dr. Ephemeron,

I am trying to use ALSA. I see it start in the boot-up text. I see it and can stop and start it in the MCC >>System (Services and deamons). ALSA starts during boot even though "on boot" is NOT checked. So it looks like I have the ALSA pieces installed. However, when I run ALSACONF, it finds the SBLive board, it asks if I want to modify etc/modules.conf (I say Yes), it says the driver emu10k1 is configured and then it dies because RCALSASOUND is not present. There is no package for RCALSASOUND on the CD images and I cannot find a source for it on the web. How do I get it? Why don't I already have it?

At this point I would settle for either OSS or ALSA working.

I followed your suggestion and ran the Mandrake Control Center>>Hardware>><pic the souncard driver>>Run config tool>> and picked what I think is the OSS driver (emu10k1) because the ALSA driver (snd-emu10k1) was already being used. (Figured I would try OSS and then switch back to ALSA.) OSS did not work. So now, when repeat that process to select the ALSA driver, the Run Config Tool button says "Error: The ' ' driver for your sound card is unlisted. OK?" and then QUITS when I respond so that I can no longer switch drivers at all. What fun!!!

Any hints on how to proceed would be appreciated.

-Gnunoob

Do you got all the Mandrake updates installed? There may be some bug in the config tool that is fixed. Other than that, I don't know. Sorry

gnunoob,

I was wondering if you ever found a fix for your problem??? I have the EXACT problem...same outputs from all of the tests you ran and everything. I, too, have a true SB Live!, not one in a Dell/Gateway etc. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Kev

FUXC,

Well... I sort of found a partial solution. I resorted to a Windows-style technique - I reinstalled. This time I chose only the standard software sets, such as Multimedia Workstation, and did no customization. (On the previous attempt I did a custom installation and chose various ALSA-related pieces, XMMS pieces, Mplayer pieces, etc.) Did this work "out-of-the-box" ? Of course not. I still had to twiddle extensively with settings in Kmix. I used a music CD and KsCD to start. Turn your physical volume control down fairly low to test as there can be some weird interactions, especially with the Capture slider (mute it). I found that to get audio CDs to work I had to mute(!) the IEC958 Optical Raw slider. (This may have something to do with having both the analog and digital outputs from the CD-ROM drive wired into my SB Live.) The one slider that actually controls the volume of the CD is the IEC598 TTL slider even though muting this slider does NOTHING!?!? How can that be? The volume control in KsCD also works though I see nothing change in any corresponding(?) Kmix slider.

Wave files work - volume is even controlled by the Wave slider(!!!) although muting the slider does NOTHING. How can that be?

MP3 files work

Things I think I know:

1. I think I am using ALSA. The best indication I have of this is that Kmix shows 40 sliders. When I switched to OSS drivers (using Mandrake Control Center, Hardware, HardDrake, SBLive! (audio), Run Config Tool ) there were only about 8 sliders.

2. The Mandrake installation routine does not ensure that anything that is installed will actually work. That is, if you install conflicting sound drives such as OSS AND ALSA there is no guarantee or rules of precedence that either one will emerge in a working state.

3. The file /etc/modules.conf is a very important file. Make a copy of it immediately upon installation and watch what happens to it as you make changes. Various programs change it with various degrees of care. Some seem to keep old contents, some do not. Fir instance if your internet connection gets blown away (as mine has) then something has probably screwed up that file. (Use MCC Networking, Wizard to restore Internet service.) I have seen up to 20 lines of info related to sound blaster in some examples while mine has about 5.

Here is my entire file:
above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss
probeall scsi_hostadapter ide-scsi <--- this line is not relevent
probeall usb-interface usb-uhci <--- this line is not relevent
alias sound-slot-0 snd-emu10k1
alias eth0 tulip <--- this line is not relevent

alias char-major-89 i2c-core
alias char-major-90 i2c-algo-bit
options i2c-core i2c_debug=1
options i2c-algo-bit bit_test=1
options bttv pll=1 radio=0 card=63 tuner=2 gbuffers=4
options tuner type=2


I am going to try this next set of lines (when I figure out where the true line breaks go in the first "paragraph") that I found at <http://linux.derkeiler.com/Newsgroup...3-07/1006.html>

alias usb-controller usb-uhci
post-install sound-slot-0 /bin/aumix-minimal -f /etc/.aumixrc -L
>/dev/null 2>&1 || : pre-remove sound-slot-0 /bin/aumix-minimal -f
/etc/.aumixrc -S >/dev/null 2>&1 || : alias char-major-195 nvidia alias
eth0 3c59x

# ALSA portion
alias char-major-116 snd
alias snd-card-0 snd-emu10k1
# module options should go here

# OSS/Free portion
alias char-major-14 soundcore
alias sound-slot-0 snd-card-0

# card #1
alias sound-service-0-0 snd-mixer-oss alias sound-service-0-1 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-3 snd-pcm-oss
alias sound-service-0-8 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-12 snd-pcm-oss

...or then there is this set of lines (fairly similar) from <http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc...module=emu10k1>
# ALSA portion
alias char-major-116 snd
alias snd-card-0 snd-emu10k1
# module options should go here

# OSS/Free portion
alias char-major-14 soundcore
alias sound-slot-0 snd-card-0

# card #1
alias sound-service-0-0 snd-mixer-oss
alias sound-service-0-1 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-3 snd-pcm-oss
alias sound-service-0-8 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-12 snd-pcm-oss


Some questions:

1. Why does the Master Volume have no effect anywhere?
2. What ONE command can I issue that will tell me if I am using ALSA or OSS drivers?
3. Anyone know how to get sound out of my ATI TV Wonder?
4. Where should one really go for help with Linux? Honestly these boards (this one and MandrakeUsers.org) seem like just a bunch of us newbies stumbling around in the dark. I can't even tell if an SBLive really works with Linux from what I read in various places. I see many problems but few solutions.

Your comments are welcome. Let's stumble around together.

Go to ALSA and download the first three files on their home page (Driver, Library, Utilities). Then choose the selection Supported soundcards and go down a little ways on the page and enter your particular manufacturer (Creative Labs). Next, select the appropriate card's Details page Soundblaster Live and follow the instructions exactly.

If you want more instructions, you may go to one of my threads here and you can get the play-by-play of how to properly install ALSA drivers in post #17. ALSA works for most everyone running a Linux distro, and it'll work for you, too. Forget OSS - they're deprecated and have been replaced in the new linux kernel by ALSA.

Most of the problems I've read in your threads seem rather "Mandrake" specific. I had a lot of the same problems when I tried RedHat. I'm no expert, as you know by now, but it seems to me that these commercial distros try to make things like that "Mandrake Control Center" and "The Trouble Shooting button" that you mention work for anybody's hardware and kernel. Well, as you should be learning from the "school of hard knocks," they don't. If you can't get ALSA to work for you, give Slack a try. All of those similar problems I had with RedHat disappeared when I started using Slack. This Linux OS is configurable for every computer's specific hardware, and hasn't been successful at doing everything for everyone with some point and click's like Winders.

And yes, a lot of posts are by newbies who don't have a clue what they're doing. You get what you pay for

Now, just cause I've held your hand that doesn't mean we're dating!

Well, my buddy Scruff just posted a link that has some new info about getting sound in Mandrake. Why don't you look at this guy's Audigy 2 Linux setup guide and see if that will help you. I know you don't have an Audigy, but there's nothing he inserts in the kernel that states the specific soundcard, and all those SoundBlaster cards use the emu10k1 module in Linux.

Okay,

I've got Mdk 10.1, SB Live! value, a custom 2.4.25 kernel (only mod was processor selection).

Kmix will run with the 20 or so slider controls, using the following /etc/modules.config:

[dan]$ cat /etc/modules.conf

probeall scsi_hostadapter usb-storage
probeall usb-interface usb-uhci
alias eth0 tulip
alias /dev/nvidia* nvidia
above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss
alias sound-slot-0 snd-emu10k1
alias sound-card-0 snd-emu10k1
alias /dev/sound snd-emu10k1
alias sound snd-emu10k1

# OSS/Free portion
alias char-major-14 soundcore

# card #1
alias sound-service-0-0 snd-mixer-oss
alias sound-service-0-1 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-3 snd-pcm-oss
alias sound-service-0-8 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-12 snd-pcm-oss
above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss

If I use the following /etc/modules.conf, I get the aRTs message saying /dev/snd
is a directory, and it's gonna dump to /dev/null, kmix never shows up, but I get a "choose mixer" button, and no options when I click it:
[dan]$ cat /mnt/windows/linux/etc/modules.conf

probeall scsi_hostadapter ide-scsi
alias eth0 tulip
# above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss
# alias sound-slot-0 snd-emu10k1
probeall usb-interface usb-uhci

# ALSA portion
alias char-major-116 snd
alias snd-card-0 snd-emu10k1
# module options should go here

# OSS/Free portion
alias char-major-14 soundcore
alias sound-slot-0 snd-0

# card #1
alias sound-service-0-0 snd-mixer-oss
alias sound-service-0-1 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-3 snd-pcm-oss
alias sound-service-0-8 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-12 snd-pcm-oss

above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss
alias /dev/nvidia* nvidia


I get no sound out of my soundcard with either version of /etc/modules.conf

Sound worked like a charm in 9.1, before I upgraded to 10.0. I haven't moved any hardware around in my machine yet, but I'm thinking about just trying a different slot, maybe shifting the IRQ or whatever.

As far as I can tell, these module.conf files are the same except for order of some
lines. Diff says this about the two:

dan]$ cat /mnt/windows/linux/etc/modules.conf~

probeall scsi_hostadapter ide-scsi
alias eth0 tulip
# above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss
# alias sound-slot-0 snd-emu10k1
probeall usb-interface usb-uhci

# ALSA portion
alias char-major-116 snd
alias snd-card-0 snd-emu10k1
# module options should go here

# OSS/Free portion
alias char-major-14 soundcore
alias sound-slot-0 snd-0

# card #1
alias sound-service-0-0 snd-mixer-oss
alias sound-service-0-1 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-3 snd-pcm-oss
alias sound-service-0-8 snd-seq-oss
alias sound-service-0-12 snd-pcm-oss

above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss
alias /dev/nvidia* nvidia
[dan@69-165-14-254 dan]$
[dan@69-165-14-254 dan]$
[dan@69-165-14-254 dan]$
[dan@69-165-14-254 dan]$ diff /etc/modules.conf /etc/modules.conf~
diff: /etc/modules.conf~: No such file or directory
[dan@69-165-14-254 dan]$ diff /etc/modules.conf /mnt/windows/linux/etc/modules.c
onf
2,3c2
< probeall scsi_hostadapter usb-storage
< probeall usb-interface usb-uhci
---
> probeall scsi_hostadapter ide-scsi
5,10c4,6
< alias /dev/nvidia* nvidia
< above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss
< alias sound-slot-0 snd-emu10k1
< alias sound-card-0 snd-emu10k1
< alias /dev/sound snd-emu10k1
< alias sound snd-emu10k1
---
> # above snd-emu10k1 snd-pcm-oss
> # alias sound-slot-0 snd-emu10k1
> probeall usb-interface usb-uhci
12c8,11
< # crap from old 9.1 modules.conf
---
> # ALSA portion
> alias char-major-116 snd
> alias snd-card-0 snd-emu10k1
> # module options should go here
16,18c15
<
< # commented out below cause sound-slot-0 already above
< # alias sound-slot-0 snd-0
---
> alias sound-slot-0 snd-0
27a25,26
> alias /dev/nvidia* nvidia
> alias char-major-195 nvidia

I am kornfuzed. Why does one bring up kmix, the other the aRTs message and no kmix. And most annoyingly, NEITHER MAKES ANY SOUND!

Thanks,

Unreal Tournament just isn't the same without SOUND!!!

Any help would be just peachy.

to gnunoob:
It's kinda strange your SB live card doesnt work since they are the most well suported. I got one meself and it works fine under 9.2. Anyway, yours doesn't. Let's see. I don't know a lot but I can give you some advice.

1. Try KNOPPIX. Download it and run it off the CD-ROM and see if you can get any sound. This way you can figure if it's not some Mandrake quirk.

2. A Mandrake install is not the most intuitive, no matter what anyone says.
I had to install 9.2 about 5 times before everything became clear on what options I had to choose in it. In my personal opinion, 8.2 had easier to follow(better?) installation. Maybe you can try to install Manrake again and write down all the steps you go through to make sure you are doing them right.

3. Try another distro if Mandrake doesnt work for ya. There is plenty to choose from. SuSE, gentoo, Fedora, and so on. Most people I know test several distros before they find one they feel comfortable with. I am testing Debian(installed it from KNOPPIX) right now since Mandrake's KDE runs SO S-L-O-W on my PC. http://www.linuxiso.org/ has a list of the major distros. You can d/l ISOs from them.

4. Get another card, something that's older and therefore more suported.

5. See if you can find a computer store in your general area that builds and sells PCs running Linux. They might be willing to help.

There is a huge Linux community there besides these boards. For example, each major city in the US got at least one LUG(Linux User Group). Try to find yours. They usually hold monthly meetings and if you contact them you might get hands on help.
Usenet carries a Mandrake group that I been visiting for 2 years now. The people there are very nice. The group name is alt.os.linux.mandrake.
How-tos are also a good thing to read. maybe I can post my list of Linux help links.
Like I said, Mandrake is not the only game in town. Mandrake is on Ok distro, and good for learning linux but that's about it.

Sorry that I cannot give you any concrete advice.