My speakers work under xp but only my head phones work under ubuntu edgy eft any ideas on how to recitfy this

You need to post far more information. What system do you have? What version of ALSA (cat /proc/asound/version)? What sound card (cat /proc/asound/cards).

With all the new hardware coming out, it could be that you are either running a system that isn't supported yet, or your version of sound drivers that came with ubuntu are out of date (I personally have added ~30 systems to alsa in the last 3 months).

Tobin

Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.12rc1 (Thu Jun 22 13:55:50 2006 UTC).

0 [Intel ]: HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
HDA Intel at 0xe5000000 irq 169

is this of assistance

Yes. Both point to my area of expertise. First, you have a very outdated alsa. But that alone may not be the full solution. The next bit of information I would need is this:
Open a shell window, and type "lspci -vn |fgrep -A1 403:". This will tell you the subsystem ID of your sound card.
Next, type "cat /proc/asound/card0/codec*". This will tell you what sound chip it is, and what it is currently set to. A book could be written (and needs to be) that will define what it all means, but I can decode it fairly readily.

Copy the output from both of those commands to here, along with the brand/model computer you have, and we'll take the next step.

00:1b.0 0403: 8086:27d8 (rev 01)
Subsystem: 1458:a002
Codec: Realtek ALC883
Address: 2
Vendor Id: 0x10ec0883
Subsystem Id: 0x1458c603
Revision Id: 0x100002
Default PCM: rates 0x560, bits 0x0e, types 0x1
Default Amp-In caps: N/A
Default Amp-Out caps: N/A
Node 0x02 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x11: Stereo
PCM: rates 0x560, bits 0x0e, types 0x1
Node 0x03 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x11: Stereo
PCM: rates 0x560, bits 0x0e, types 0x1
Node 0x04 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x11: Stereo
PCM: rates 0x560, bits 0x0e, types 0x1
Node 0x05 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x11: Stereo
PCM: rates 0x560, bits 0x0e, types 0x1
Node 0x06 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x211: Stereo Digital
PCM: rates 0x560, bits 0x1e, types 0x1
Node 0x07 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x08 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x10011b: Stereo Amp-In
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x08, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x05, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00]
PCM: rates 0x160, bits 0x06, types 0x1
Connection: 1
0x23
Node 0x09 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x10011b: Stereo Amp-In
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x08, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x05, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00]
PCM: rates 0x160, bits 0x06, types 0x1
Connection: 1
0x22
Node 0x0a [Audio Input] wcaps 0x100391: Stereo Digital
PCM: rates 0x560, bits 0x1e, types 0x1
Connection: 1
0x1f
Node 0x0b [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x17, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x05, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x80 0x80] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x08 0x08] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80]
Connection: 10
0x18 0x19 0x1a 0x1b 0x1c 0x1d 0x14 0x15 0x16 0x17
Node 0x0c [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1f, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x05, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x19 0x19]
Connection: 2
0x02 0x0b
Node 0x0d [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1f, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x05, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 2
0x03 0x0b
Node 0x0e [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1f, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x05, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 2
0x04 0x0b
Node 0x0f [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1f, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x05, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 2
0x05 0x0b
Node 0x10 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x11 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x12 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x13 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x14 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40018f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Pincap 0x083e: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x01014410: [Jack] Line Out at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
Connection: 5
0x0c* 0x0d 0x0e 0x0f 0x26
Node 0x15 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40018f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x80 0x80]
Pincap 0x083e: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Connection: 5
0x0c 0x0d* 0x0e 0x0f 0x26
Node 0x16 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40018f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x80 0x80]
Pincap 0x083e: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Connection: 5
0x0c 0x0d 0x0e* 0x0f 0x26
Node 0x17 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40018f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x80 0x80]
Pincap 0x083e: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Connection: 5
0x0c 0x0d 0x0e 0x0f* 0x26
Node 0x18 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40018f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x80 0x80]
Pincap 0x08173e: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x01a19c40: [Jack] Mic at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
Pin-ctls: 0x24: IN
Connection: 5
0x0c* 0x0d 0x0e 0x0f 0x26
Node 0x19 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40018f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x80 0x80]
Pincap 0x08173e: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x02a19c50: [Jack] Mic at Ext Front
Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
Pin-ctls: 0x24: IN
Connection: 5
0x0c* 0x0d 0x0e 0x0f 0x26
Node 0x1a [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40018f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x80 0x80]
Pincap 0x08173e: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x01813c41: [Jack] Line In at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Blue
Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
Connection: 5
0x0c* 0x0d 0x0e 0x0f 0x26
Node 0x1b [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x40018f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x03, stepsize=0x27, mute=0
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Pincap 0x08173e: IN OUT HP Detect
Pin Default 0x02214c20: [Jack] HP Out at Ext Front
Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
Pin-ctls: 0xc0: OUT HP
Connection: 5
0x0c* 0x0d 0x0e 0x0f 0x26
Node 0x1c [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400001: Stereo
Pincap 0x0820: IN
Pin Default 0x9933014f: [Fixed] CD at Int ATAPI
Conn = ATAPI, Color = Unknown
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Node 0x1d [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400000: Mono
Pincap 0x0820: IN
Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Node 0x1e [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400300: Mono Digital
Pincap 0x0810: OUT
Pin Default 0x014b6130: [Jack] SPDIF Out at Ext Rear
Conn = Comb, Color = Orange
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Connection: 1
0x06
Node 0x1f [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400200: Mono Digital
Pincap 0x0820: IN
Pin Default 0x01cb7160: [Jack] SPDIF In at Ext Rear
Conn = Comb, Color = Yellow
Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Node 0x20 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00040: Mono
Node 0x21 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x22 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80]
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 11
0x18 0x19 0x1a 0x1b 0x1c 0x1d 0x14 0x15 0x16 0x17 0x0b
Node 0x23 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x80 0x80] [0x00 0x00] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80]
Amp-Out caps: N/A
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 11
0x18 0x19 0x1a 0x1b 0x1c 0x1d 0x14 0x15 0x16 0x17 0x0b
Node 0x24 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x25 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x11: Stereo
PCM: rates 0x560, bits 0x0e, types 0x1
Node 0x26 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Amp-In vals: [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x1f, nsteps=0x1f, stepsize=0x05, mute=0
Amp-Out vals: [0x00 0x00]
Connection: 2
0x25 0x0b
intel based core 2 duo with 1 gig ram 320 gig hd

Ok, from what I can tell, your system is currently not supported in alsa. The codec is, though.

What I recommend is that you send me an email and we can communicate directly to get you working. My email address is gruemaster <AT> gmail.com (replace <AT> with @).