Installed 10.2 from dvd, got xine working with mp3 support, got my wireless PCI card working, got my soundcard working.... or so I thought. The sound routinely cuts out, every few seconds, for like half a second. happens with mp3's in Xine, happens with flash video, happens with java games, happens with mpeg and wmv video.

82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller

Is what my hardware says, and Im sure its right, its an intell High Definition Audio Controller (on board) from my memory of the motherboard box

Unfortunately, this doesn't give me enough to go on. Could you run this script and post the output?

More than likely, you will just need to install a newer version of the sound drivers. The data this script generages will help me to verify that. Worst case, we need to add driver support for your system.

the ourput was automagically transported to http://pastebin.ca/505633

################################
ALSA Information Script v 0.4.24
################################


Linux Distribution
------------------

Welcome to openSUSE 10.2 (i586) - Kernel \r (\l). LSB_VERSION="core-2.0-noarch:core-3.0-noarch:core-2.0-ia32:core-3.0-ia32" openSUSE 10.2 (i586)


Kernel Information
------------------

Kernel release: 2.6.18.2-34-default
Operating System: GNU/Linux
Architecture: i686
Processor: i686
SMP Enabled: Yes


ALSA Version
------------

Driver version: 1.0.12rc1
Library version: 1.0.13
Utilities version: 1.0.13


Loaded ALSA modules
-------------------

snd_hda_intel


Soundcards recognised by ALSA
-----------------------------

0 [Intel ]: HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
HDA Intel at 0x50200000 irq 50


PCI Soundcards installed in the system
--------------------------------------

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 01)


Advanced information - PCI Vendor/Device/Susbsystem ID's
--------------------------------------------------------

00:1b.0 Class 0403: 8086:27d8 (rev 01)
Subsystem: 8086:0202


HDA-Intel Codec information
---------------------------

Codec: SigmaTel STAC9221 A1
Address: 2
Vendor Id: 0x83847680
Subsystem Id: 0x80860202
Revision Id: 0x103201
Default PCM: rates 0x7e0, bits 0x0e, types 0x1
Default Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x0e, stepsize=0x05, mute=1
Default Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x7f, nsteps=0x7f, stepsize=0x02, mute=1
Node 0x02 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0x60 0x60]
Power: 0x0
Node 0x03 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0xff 0x80]
Power: 0x0
Node 0x04 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0xff 0x80]
Power: 0x0
Node 0x05 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0xff 0xff]
Power: 0x0
Node 0x06 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x1d0541: Stereo
Power: 0x0
Connection: 1
0x17
Node 0x07 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x1d0541: Stereo
Power: 0x0
Connection: 1
0x18
Node 0x08 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x40211: Stereo Digital
PCM: rates 0x7e0, bits 0x0e, types 0x5
Node 0x09 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x140311: Stereo Digital
PCM: rates 0x160, bits 0x0e, types 0x5
Connection: 1
0x11
Node 0x0a [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x08173f: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x0221401f: [Jack] HP Out at Ext Front
Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
Pin-ctls: 0x80: HP
Connection: 1
0x02
Node 0x0b [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x081737: IN OUT Detect
Pin Default 0x01a19022: [Jack] Mic at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Connection: 1
0x04
Node 0x0c [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x081737: IN OUT Detect
Pin Default 0x01813021: [Jack] Line In at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Blue
Pin-ctls: 0x60: IN OUT
Connection: 1
0x03
Node 0x0d [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x08173f: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x01014010: [Jack] Line Out at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Connection: 1
0x02
Node 0x0e [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400081: Stereo
Pincap 0x0824: IN Detect
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Node 0x0f [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x0837: IN OUT Detect
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Connection: 1
0x05
Node 0x10 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400301: Stereo Digital
Pincap 0x0810: OUT
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Connection: 3
0x08* 0x17 0x19
Node 0x11 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x430681: Stereo Digital
Pincap 0x0810024: IN EAPD Detect
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Power: 0x0
Node 0x12 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30010d: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x04, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 7
0x0e* 0x15 0x0f 0x0b 0x0c 0x0d 0x0a
Node 0x13 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30010d: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x04, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 7
0x0e 0x15* 0x0f 0x0b 0x0c 0x0d 0x0a
Node 0x14 [Beep Generator Widget] wcaps 0x70000c: Mono Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x03, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x17, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00]
Node 0x15 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400001: Stereo
Pincap 0x0820: IN
Pin Default 0x02a19120: [Jack] Mic at Ext Front
Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Node 0x16 [Volume Knob Widget] wcaps 0x600000: Mono
Node 0x17 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x300903: Stereo Amp-In
Amp-In caps: N/A
Amp-In vals: [0x80 0x80]
Connection: 1
0x12
Node 0x18 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x300903: Stereo Amp-In
Amp-In caps: N/A
Amp-In vals: [0x80 0x80]
Connection: 1
0x13
Node 0x19 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf30201: Stereo Digital
Node 0x1a [Audio Output] wcaps 0x30201: Stereo Digital
Node 0x1b [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400301: Stereo Digital
Pincap 0x0810: OUT
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Connection: 1
0x1a


ALSA Device nodes
-----------------

crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 5 2007-05-22 20:43 /dev/snd/controlC0
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 4 2007-05-22 20:43 /dev/snd/pcmC0D0c
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 3 2007-05-22 20:43 /dev/snd/pcmC0D0p
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 6 2007-05-22 20:43 /dev/snd/seq
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 2 2007-05-22 20:43 /dev/snd/timer


Aplay output
------------

**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: STAC92xx Analog [STAC92xx Analog]
Subdevices: 0/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0


Amixer output
-------------

-------Mixer controls for card 0 [Intel]

Simple mixer control 'PCM',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 255 [100%]
Front Right: Playback 255 [100%]
Simple mixer control 'Front',0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 127
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 96 [76%] [on]
Front Right: Playback 96 [76%] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Surround',0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 127
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 127 [100%] [off]
Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Center',0
Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Limits: Playback 0 - 127
Mono: Playback 127 [100%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'LFE',0
Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Limits: Playback 0 - 127
Mono: Playback 0 [0%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Line In as Output',0
Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control 'Mic as Output',0
Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'Capture',0
Capabilities: cvolume cswitch
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 14
Front Left: Capture 0 [0%] [off]
Front Right: Capture 0 [0%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Input Source',0
Capabilities: enum
Items: 'Mic' 'Front Mic' 'Line'
Item0: 'Mic'
Simple mixer control 'Mux',0
Capabilities: cvolume
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 4
Front Left: Capture 0 [0%]
Front Right: Capture 0 [0%]


All Loaded Modules
------------------

Module
parport_pc
parport
aes
ieee80211_crypt_ccmp
michael_mic
arc4
ieee80211_crypt_tkip
snd_seq_dummy
joydev
st
sr_mod
snd_pcm_oss
snd_mixer_oss
snd_seq
snd_seq_device
snd_hda_intel
snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm
snd_timer
snd
af_packet
xt_pkttype
ipt_LOG
xt_limit
button
battery
ac
ip6t_REJECT
xt_tcpudp
ipt_REJECT
xt_state
iptable_mangle
iptable_nat
ip_nat
iptable_filter
ip6table_mangle
ip_conntrack
nfnetlink
ip_tables
ip6table_filter
ip6_tables
x_tables
ipv6
apparmor
aamatch_pcre
loop
dm_mod
usb_storage
usbhid
bcm43xx
firmware_class
ieee80211softmac
ide_cd
cdrom
ieee80211
ieee80211_crypt
e100
mii
intel_agp
ehci_hcd
uhci_hcd
agpgart
i2c_i801
i2c_core
soundcore
snd_page_alloc
usbcore
ext3
mbcache
jbd
edd
sg
fan
ata_piix
libata
piix
thermal
processor
sd_mod
scsi_mod
ide_disk
ide_core

You will need to upgrade your alsa packages. There were some issues with the version of alsa you are running.

If you would like to keep your Suse distribution semi-clean, I have a build environment that you can download to build rpm packages for your distribution.

Let me know if you run into problems with this.

I updated to the newest library and driver, and this helped, a bit. It now will only skip every ten seconds or so. Something to note here, the audio cuts out, but the file, mp3 or mpg or flash, continues playing. and audio picks back up where it should be.the little visualizer type thing (equalizer bars bouncing) in amarok even continues as it should.

any other suggestions here people? Im open to ideas, this issue has never come up for me before, so im stumbling kinda blind here.

By "newest version" do you mean 1.0.14rc4 development or 1.0.13 stable? If it is 1.0.13 stable, then please upgrade to 1.0.14rc4. There are massive changes going into alsa right now, and fixing an old version is not an option.

Please rerun the alsa-info.sh script to verify that everything is the latest.

.14rc4 is the driver and lib I installed.


################################
ALSA Information Script v 0.4.24
################################


Linux Distribution
------------------

Welcome to openSUSE 10.2 (i586) - Kernel \r (\l). LSB_VERSION="core-2.0-noarch:core-3.0-noarch:core-2.0-ia32:core-3.0-ia32" openSUSE 10.2 (i586)


Kernel Information
------------------

Kernel release: 2.6.18.2-34-default
Operating System: GNU/Linux
Architecture: i686
Processor: i686
SMP Enabled: Yes


ALSA Version
------------

Driver version: 1.0.14rc4
Library version: 1.0.14rc4
Utilities version: 1.0.13


Loaded ALSA modules
-------------------

snd_hda_intel


Soundcards recognised by ALSA
-----------------------------

0 [Intel ]: HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
HDA Intel at 0x50200000 irq 50


PCI Soundcards installed in the system
--------------------------------------

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 01)


Advanced information - PCI Vendor/Device/Susbsystem ID's
--------------------------------------------------------

00:1b.0 Class 0403: 8086:27d8 (rev 01)
Subsystem: 8086:0202


HDA-Intel Codec information
---------------------------

Codec: SigmaTel STAC9221 A1
Address: 2
Vendor Id: 0x83847680
Subsystem Id: 0x80860202
Revision Id: 0x103201
Default PCM:
rates [0x7e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000 176400 192000
bits [0xe]: 16 20 24
formats [0x1]: PCM
Default Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x0e, stepsize=0x05, mute=1
Default Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x7f, nsteps=0x7f, stepsize=0x02, mute=1
Node 0x02 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0x7f 0x7f]
Power: 0x0
Node 0x03 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0xff 0x80]
Power: 0x0
Node 0x04 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0xff 0xff]
Power: 0x0
Node 0x05 [Audio Output] wcaps 0xd0c05: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0xff 0xff]
Power: 0x0
Node 0x06 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x1d0541: Stereo
Power: 0x0
Connection: 1
0x17
Node 0x07 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x1d0541: Stereo
Power: 0x0
Connection: 1
0x18
Node 0x08 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x40211: Stereo Digital
PCM:
rates [0x7e0]: 44100 48000 88200 96000 176400 192000
bits [0xe]: 16 20 24
formats [0x5]: PCM AC3
Node 0x09 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x140311: Stereo Digital
PCM:
rates [0x160]: 44100 48000 96000
bits [0xe]: 16 20 24
formats [0x5]: PCM AC3
Connection: 1
0x11
Node 0x0a [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x08173f: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x0221401f: [Jack] HP Out at Ext Front
Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
Pin-ctls: 0xc0: OUT HP
Connection: 1
0x02
Node 0x0b [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x081737: IN OUT Detect
Pin Default 0x01a19022: [Jack] Mic at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Connection: 1
0x04
Node 0x0c [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x081737: IN OUT Detect
Pin Default 0x01813021: [Jack] Line In at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Blue
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Connection: 1
0x03
Node 0x0d [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x08173f: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x01014010: [Jack] Line Out at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Connection: 1
0x02
Node 0x0e [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400081: Stereo
Pincap 0x0824: IN Detect
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Node 0x0f [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400181: Stereo
Pincap 0x0837: IN OUT Detect
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Connection: 1
0x05
Node 0x10 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400301: Stereo Digital
Pincap 0x0810: OUT
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Connection: 3
0x08* 0x17 0x19
Node 0x11 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x430681: Stereo Digital
Pincap 0x0810024: IN EAPD Detect
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Power: 0x0
Node 0x12 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30010d: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x04, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 7
0x0e* 0x15 0x0f 0x0b 0x0c 0x0d 0x0a
Node 0x13 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x30010d: Stereo Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x04, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 7
0x0e 0x15* 0x0f 0x0b 0x0c 0x0d 0x0a
Node 0x14 [Beep Generator Widget] wcaps 0x70000c: Mono Amp-Out
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x03, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x17, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00]
Node 0x15 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400001: Stereo
Pincap 0x0820: IN
Pin Default 0x02a19120: [Jack] Mic at Ext Front
Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Node 0x16 [Volume Knob Widget] wcaps 0x600000: Mono
Node 0x17 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x300903: Stereo Amp-In
Amp-In caps: N/A
Amp-In vals: [0x80 0x80]
Connection: 1
0x12
Node 0x18 [Audio Selector] wcaps 0x300903: Stereo Amp-In
Amp-In caps: N/A
Amp-In vals: [0x80 0x80]
Connection: 1
0x13
Node 0x19 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf30201: Stereo Digital
Node 0x1a [Audio Output] wcaps 0x30201: Stereo Digital
Node 0x1b [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400301: Stereo Digital
Pincap 0x0810: OUT
Pin Default 0x40000100: [N/A] Line Out at Ext N/A
Conn = Unknown, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Connection: 1
0x1a


ALSA Device nodes
-----------------

crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 0 2007-05-24 09:35 /dev/snd/controlC0
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 24 2007-05-24 09:35 /dev/snd/pcmC0D0c
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 16 2007-05-24 09:35 /dev/snd/pcmC0D0p
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 1 2007-05-24 13:35 /dev/snd/seq
crw-rw---- 1 root audio 116, 33 2007-05-24 09:35 /dev/snd/timer


Aplay output
------------

**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: STAC92xx Analog [STAC92xx Analog]
Subdevices: 0/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0


Amixer output
-------------

-------Mixer controls for card 0 [Intel]

Simple mixer control 'PCM',0
Capabilities: pvolume
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 255
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 219 [86%] [-7.20dB]
Front Right: Playback 219 [86%] [-7.20dB]
Simple mixer control 'Front',0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 127
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 127 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Front Right: Playback 127 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Surround',0
Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Playback 0 - 127
Mono:
Front Left: Playback 127 [100%] [0.00dB] [off]
Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-95.25dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Center',0
Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Limits: Playback 0 - 127
Mono: Playback 127 [100%] [0.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'LFE',0
Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Limits: Playback 0 - 127
Mono: Playback 127 [100%] [0.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Line In as Output',0
Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control 'Mic as Output',0
Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
Playback channels: Mono
Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'Capture',0
Capabilities: cvolume cswitch
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 14
Front Left: Capture 0 [0%] [0.00dB] [off]
Front Right: Capture 0 [0%] [0.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Input Source',0
Capabilities: enum
Items: 'Mic' 'Front Mic' 'Line'
Item0: 'Mic'
Simple mixer control 'Mux',0
Capabilities: cvolume
Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
Limits: Capture 0 - 4
Front Left: Capture 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Front Right: Capture 0 [0%] [0.00dB]


All Loaded Modules
------------------

Module
snd_seq_dummy
parport_pc
parport
aes
ieee80211_crypt_ccmp
michael_mic
arc4
ieee80211_crypt_tkip
st
sr_mod
joydev
af_packet
xt_pkttype
ipt_LOG
xt_limit
snd_pcm_oss
snd_mixer_oss
snd_seq
snd_seq_device
button
battery
ac
ip6t_REJECT
xt_tcpudp
ipt_REJECT
xt_state
iptable_mangle
iptable_nat
ip_nat
iptable_filter
ip6table_mangle
ip_conntrack
nfnetlink
ip_tables
ip6table_filter
ip6_tables
x_tables
ipv6
apparmor
aamatch_pcre
loop
usbhid
dm_mod
usb_storage
ehci_hcd
ide_cd
cdrom
uhci_hcd
bcm43xx
firmware_class
ieee80211softmac
usbcore
intel_agp
ieee80211
ieee80211_crypt
e100
mii
snd_hda_intel
snd_pcm
snd_timer
snd
soundcore
snd_page_alloc
i2c_i801
i2c_core
agpgart
ext3
mbcache
jbd
sg
edd
fan
ata_piix
libata
piix
thermal
processor
sd_mod
scsi_mod
ide_disk
ide_core

Try rerunning alsaconf. Sometimes that's enough to shake the system into working properly.

The only other thing I can think of is you possibly have a bad motherboard. I tested the driver out on a similar system here (D945GTP, you have the D945GNT according to my records), and it works ok. The boards are virtually identical, and have the same audio configuration.

Tobin

its gotten much better after kicking alsaconf into action again, not perfect still, but now it only dies when the systems under load (more then 2 tqabs in firefox open for example, not much load for a 2-proc system, but still).

I know this isnt a hardware issue, the card worked alright when I had to run the box under XP. It ran very, very noisy (buzzing constantly, when no sound files were playing, and when they were). I've noticed they dont buzz under ALSA. Could this be related, something trying to kill the background noise and inadvertantly getting what i wanted to hear too? If so, could I just disable that?

never mind all of this. I just realized when it was working on redmond's crap i was always plugged into the front jack, not the back jack. Having plugged the speakers into the front jack, it's been solved, no cutting out at all, and it sounds better, less noisy then it did on XP. Sorry for wasting everyones time.

No problem. Actually, I remember fixing an issue on that system back in alsa 1.0.11. Front panel wouldn't work then. It was the first thing I did in alsa.