How to install sound card?

[Yosuke_]

hi!
Well, I have linux about month but i have problems with two things :( My Webcam and Sound Card
Nevermind about webcam, i need to install soundcard but i dont have idea how!!!
I have: via AC'97 Audio Controler (wdm) Im not sure it is the right title! How can i add new hardware on linux!! please help!!!!

[JohnT]

What desktop/window-manager are you using?

[Yosuke_]

Sorry! I dont understand your question! If you mean what OS I use its Slackware 9.1!

[dboyer]

desktop/window-manager would be something like KDE, Gnome, Fluxbox, Blackbox.. basically, what graphical environment you use...

what brand hardware do you have?

AC'97 is a generic name for audio hardware, if i recall... for instance, my "AC97" card is the built in sound on my motherboard... its an A7N8X ASUS board... when i tried to install it, i was told to use the "snd_intel8x0" driver... so i ran "modprobe snd_intel8x0" and that inserted the module correctly... from there, everything pretty much worked...

try running "lsmod" that should list all the currently inserted modules... see if anything sound related is there...

also, you can poke through dmesg and /var/log/messages to see if you can see something that mentions what sound hardware you have...

[mdwatts]

I would advise you to review some of the previous threads posted in the Hardware forum on soundcard problems as they will give you suggestions on how to troubleshoot.

One would be to first check to see if any soundcard related modules are loaded.

lsmod (list loaded modules)

If the required soundcard modules are loaded, then it could be related to soundcard mixer settings or device permissions.

[EnigmaOne]

Originally posted by Yosuke_
Sorry! I dont understand your question! If you mean what OS I use its Slackware 9.1!

Since you're probably headed in the right direction, I'll just clear up a misconception you have about your OS.

Your Operating System is Linux.
Your distribution (distro) is Slackware 9.1.

From the near-outside, it sounds like a nitpicky distinction, but it is a valid distinction; and the world of Linux is filled with just such nuances. You'll get used to it.

[bit-o_advice]
Slackware is one of those distributions that requires that you know your hardware intimately to install properly. I'm not going to try to dissuade you from making the attempt to resolve your problems, because doing so has immense value for you in the long run.

I will recommend that you might find benefit in downloading one of the "LiveCD" distributions, like Knoppix, burn it to CD and boot to that environment for the purposes of determining exactly what hardware is present in your machine, and what modules are loaded as a result of the hardware probing. (It'll also tell you--within reasonable limits--if the hardware is generally supported by Linux drivers.)

You can then use this information to resolve your current problems--possibly quicker than doing otherwise.
[/bit-o_advice]
Just a thought...

[mdwatts]

As you can see in this recent thread (in the Hardware forum) titled 'sound problems' (http://justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=124578), the actual soundcard chipset was found by searching either the motherboard manufacturers website for the m/b model or searching Google/Google for Linux.

[Yosuke_]

Im Dumb!!!
Isnt there any easy way to install soundcard>??? I even dont know that is soundcards name!!!! Can anyone help me! Im linux newbie, thats why I dont understand! And i searched for posts about soundcard but nothing useful!! HEEEEEELP!!!!

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Yosuke_
Im Dumb!!!
Isnt there any easy way to install soundcard>??? I even dont know that is soundcards name!!!! Can anyone help me! Im linux newbie, thats why I dont understand! And i searched for posts about soundcard but nothing useful!! HEEEEEELP!!!!

Respond to the posts that members have posted...this is a step-by-step process and we have to know if your able to make progress with each step. Responding as you have above will not elicit any help.

[JamminJoeyB]

I'm with johnT

You have to help us by tell us what you have tried.

Linux does a pretty good job at detecting hardware. But some times you have to tell it how to do something.

mdwatts asked you to post some information so that we could help you.

To see what modules are loaded in the kernel open a terminal and type lsmod (then hit enter)

post that information here

To see what pci devices are on the system type lspci (and hit enter)

post that information here.

BTW you are not dumb, you are just trying something new and need some help.

To be honest with you slackware 9.1 solved my problems with my onboard audio, but I had planed to purchase an audigy2 because I needed a better quality then the onboard was providing. When I installed the audigy I didn't do anything but boot up linux found audigy and loaded all the correct modules. That was an easier install of a piece of hardware then any wondows experience I ever had.

[Yosuke_]

Sorry everybody, ok now I started to walk these steps and this is what i get:

root@Slackware:~# ismod
-bash: ismod: command not found
root@Slackware:~# lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8363/8365 [KT133/KM133] (rev 81)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8363/8365 [KT133/KM133 AGP]
00:07.0 ISA bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 [Apollo Super South] (rev 40)
00:07.1 IDE interface: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C586/B/686A/B PIPC Bus Master IDE (rev 06)
00:07.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB (rev 1a)
00:07.3 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB (rev 1a)
00:07.4 Bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 [Apollo Super ACPI] (rev 40)
00:07.5 Multimedia audio controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 AC97 Audio Controller (rev 50)
00:0d.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: S3 Inc. ProSavage KM133 (rev 03)

Man and ismod dosnt work!!! :( I realy need sound!!!!

[JohnT]

Its "lsmod" (lower-case "L") not lower-case "I".

[JamminJoeyB]

You are getting there. We now know that you have

00:07.5 Multimedia audio controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C686 AC97 Audio Controller (rev 50)

Now post the results of lsmod (lower case L as JohnT pointed out)


We will then be able to see if you have and sound modules loaded.

[Yosuke_]

Thank you, silly me about that upercase 'L'

root@Slackware:~# lsmod
Module Size Used by Not tainted
soundcore 3332 0 (autoclean)
pcmcia_core 40032 0
ide-scsi 9424 0
8139too 15240 1
mii 2304 0 [8139too]
crc32 2880 0 [8139too]
agpgart 39576 0 (unused)

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by JohnT
Its "lsmod" (lower-case "L") not lower-case "I".

And the reason why I usually include a brief description of the command


lsmod (list loaded modules)


so you can see 'ls' = list and 'mod' = modules.

Yosuke_... I did a quick G4L search for 'VT82C686 AC97 Audio Controller' and found it uses the via82xx.o module.

First ensure you have PnP OS disabled in the bios (suggested in most of the previous soundcard threads) and then as root, load the module

su -
<root password>

modprobe snd-via82xx (for ALSA driver)

modprobe via82xx (for kernel driver)

If no error messages, check again the loaded modules with

lsmod

[Yosuke_]

Im not sure I did it right, what do I need to write in xx???

root@Slackware:~# modprobe snd-via80xx
modprobe: Can't locate module snd-via80xx
root@Slackware:~# modprobe via82xx
modprobe: Can't locate module via82xx

[Yosuke_]

wont anybody help me? :confused:

[JohnT]

Try "modprobe via82cxxx" or "modprobe via82xxx" or "modprobe via82"..... not via80 xx......read the post.:confused:


If those don't work issue the commandlocate via | moreto see if you even have a via driver. It should be located in /lib/modules/2.x.x/kernel/sound/drivers

Also read the manpages for modprobe, lsmod, insmod....that would be man modprobe man lsmod man insmod

[psi42]

Originally posted by Yosuke_
root@Slackware:~# modprobe snd-via80xx
modprobe: Can't locate module snd-via80xx

Originally posted by mdwatts
modprobe snd-via82xx (for ALSA driver)

[Yosuke_]

OK, thank you everybody, soud works now but there is a problem again!
The sound is very sillent, event if my speakers is on the max level?? i runed xine player and pt volume to max but it plays extreamply silently! why??? by the way i only installed the first module modprobe snd-via80xx the seccond wasnt found!

[JamminJoeyB]

Yosuke_

By default alsa is muted. You have to unmute. This can be done from the command line or a mixer applet from a gui.

I know there is one in KDE and gnome. So just try and locate a mixer and start adjusting the pcm and volume to get higher levels.

The other way is from the command line.

alsamixer

Also search the forums for unmute alsa. It will turn op relsults. Also read the docs on ALSA they will answer a lot of your questions.

[Yosuke_]

Well, I have only one mixer and it dosnt work! Its called Aumix and then i run it, it dosnt do anything and it dosnt show in system tray eather!!! And i dont have that alsamix! when i enter alsamix in commandline Command Not Found!!! And I allso check that link of alsa and there ware anly packages for Yellow Dog, Red Hat and something else!!

[dboyer]

you need to read instructions /a lot/ closer...


The other way is from the command line.

alsamixer



when i enter alsamix in commandline Command Not Found!!!


alsamix returns "command not found" because... it isn't a command!

however, if you type alsamix<tab>, you will get the correct command... play with the tab key, it can be your friend... save you typing, let you know when something isn't working right...

[Yosuke_]

There are no such thing as alsamix! i press tab and this is what I get:
alsaconf alsalisp

I run alsaconf and it says this:
Now ALSA is ready to use.
For adjustment of volumes, please use alsamixer or gamix.

Have a lot of fun!
and when i hit TAB nothing hapens on commands alsamixer or gamix!! HELPPP!!!

[JohnT]

Type in "alsamixer"...dont worry about the tab for now. Just learn how to type a simple command in the terminal. One thing at a time. Install alsa utilities if you cannot find alsamixer...it is included in the utilities package.. Here's is a link to a resource you should have consulted from the beginning, please read and study it. ....http://www.alsa-project.org/

[hard candy]

In the console, try "amixer set MASTER 100 unmute" and then "amixer set PCM 100 unmute".
You may have to do it as "su" or if you are logged in as root you will not have to be "su" But be sure to make a user and not stay as root all the time.

[hard candy]

I forgot, if you have surround and a center speaker, you'll need to do this also (or is it alsa?:) )
# "amixer set Center 100 unmute"
# "amixer set Surround 100 unmute"
(The good thing about those commands is that it sets the alsasound init script to save the volume levels).

[Yosuke_]

root@Slackware:~# alsamixer
-bash: alsamixer: command not found
root@Slackware:~# alsamix
-bash: alsamix: command not found
root@Slackware:~# alsa
alsaconf alsalisp
root@Slackware:~# amixer set MASTER 100 unmute
-bash: amixer: command not found
root@Slackware:~# amixer set PCM 100 unmute
-bash: amixer: command not found
root@Slackware:~# amixer set Center 100 unmute
-bash: amixer: command not found
root@Slackware:~# amixer set Center Surround unmute
-bash: amixer: command not found
root@Slackware:~#

What is wrong???/ :(

[JamminJoeyB]

ok this is strange. I run slackware 9.1 and all the commands and advice given in this thread work fine on my system.

lets see if you even have those on your system.

as root

updatedb (this will update a database that shows what is loaded on the system and where)

locate alsa (locate shows you where those items are on your system you have to run updatedb first)

post the results here.

[hard candy]

You must not have alsa-utils installed- there should be a package on the installation disk. alsa-utils-0.9***.tgz
I looked at linuxpackages.net, but it's not on there and all the directories are source listings. The easiest would be to mount the installation disk (not sure if it is #1 or #2) and look for the package.

[Yosuke_]

Sorry everybody! i didnt have alsa-utilities installed! well i installed it now and theres a prob!! I runed alsamixer and set everything to the max sound level!
[AlsaMixer v1.0.4 (Press Escape to quit)] Card: VIA 82C686A/B rev50 Chip: ICEnsemble ICE1232 ? Item: Master [Off] 100<>100 100<>100 ? ? < Master >Master M Headphon 3D Contr 3D Contr 3D Contr PCM Line

ok i now its inposible to undersand what i quoite'ed here but this is the alsamixer but everything is set to off even if I set wvweything to max!! whyy?? and another thing:

bash-2.05b# amixer set MASTER 100 unmute
amixer: Unable to find simple control 'MASTER',0

and when i run updatedb nothing happens! :(

[hard candy]

"Alsa is now installed by default in Slackware

To set it up, as root, run alsaconf. This probes soundcards, modifies /etc/modules.conf to load those sound cards, then runs rcalsasound start, then runs amixer to change mixer levels (which are mute by default).

In my case, runningalsaconf correctly set up the sound cards but didn't change the mixer levels. In /etc/asound.state, needed to add:
amixer set Master 90% unmute
amixer set PCM 90% unmute
This can also go in /etc/rc.d/rc.local

Fyi, this is what alsaconf put in /etc/modules.conf:
alias char-major-116 snd
alias snd-card-0 snd-emu10k1
alias char-major-14 soundcore
alias sound-slot-0 snd-card-0
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
options snd major=116 cards_limit=1
options snd-emu10k1 index=0"
So , first run "alsaconf" as root, then make sure those two lines are in either of those files he mentions. Make sure "etc/modules.conf" contains the listings as above-the "emu10k1 "is for his sound card-yours will be the via82xxx.

[Yosuke_]

in that file it looks like this:

state.rev50 {
control.1 {
comment.access 'read write'
comment.type BOOLEAN
iface MIXER
name 'Master Playback Switch'
value true
}
control.2 {
comment.access 'read write'
comment.type INTEGER
comment.range '0 - 31'
iface MIXER.......................

where do i need to add thous lines???

[Yosuke_]

THNK YOU EVERYBODY!!
Sound is runing now!! thank you! :D

[JohnT]

Thank GAWD!!!:D

[hard candy]

Now for the webcam.....


Edit: Had to add this line, "Because you had sound advice".

[Yosuke_]

Thank you everybody for the help, but I broked my webcam. I wanted to make wire longer about 10m but it didnt work, and i read that USB port can't have wire longer that 5m and now I take out the long wire and connected wires like thay ware before, but it show black & white now :( and there was some in silver color paper and I put it arround the wire too, but still Black & White. But my webcam is Maxxtro, but i dont know what is the model name. But nevermind, webcam is broken now!!! Im soo happy about that you helped me and i have sound now!! I LOVE LINUX AND JUST LINUX!!! Thank you everyboy!!

[hard candy]

I really have mixed feelings about your webcam- on one hand I am sad it is broken, on the other hand is a feeling of relief. :D

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by Yosuke_
OK, thank you everybody, soud works.

All you had to do yourself was search G4L for 'VT82C686 AC97 Audio Controller' as I did and then you would have found what soundcard module/driver it uses. :)

Glad to see it's finally working.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by hard candy
Now for the webcam.....


Edit: Had to add this line, "Because you had sound advice". (hard candy poking at it with a stick):eek: