No sound

[Rhinecourt]

I have installed Slackware 8.1, but I am unable to get any sound working either. My default desktop is set as kde, sound does not work under gnome either. When I startx I get a

Error initializing sound driver
device /dev/dsp
can't be opened ( no such device)

I've tried sndconfig, modprobe, I've given privelages........
I'm lost.
Cheers
Doug

[Hayl]

do you have sound as root?

[mdwatts]

Actually a forum search for /dev/dsp would have found you a few suggestions.

As root

chmod 660 /dev/dsp

[ScRapZ_1]

...provided, of course, you've got the soundcard configured right to begin with. Did the sndconfig actually work? What soundcard do you have? For use of this explanation I'll assume you have a Soundblaster live. The module for it is 'emu10k' - so (as root) try typing modprobe emu10k and try the sndconfig again. If sndconfig doesnt work (it happens) you could always test it with cat /dev/urandom > /dev/dsp and that will produce some lovely noise. (Note: turn down speakers before doing this. It wont damage anything, but it may be loud ;) ) Hit ctrl-C to kill it.

Now, assuming that you dont have an SBlive, you're going to have to do a bit of research to see what module you need. Do a search on www.google.com/linux (http://www.google.com/linux) (this is your enw best friend) and type in the name of your soundcard. Looking around you should find that 'soundcard foo uses bar module' and modprobe that. Try above steps again.

If all works as root, but not as a normal user, then you need permissions set properly. You could chmod 666 /dev/dsp but some may say thats a bad thing (security wise) and would suggest making a new 'sound' group, chgrp sound /dev/dsp and then adding users who want to have sound part of the 'sound' group. Either way works. But its considered 'good practice' to do the 'sound group' thingy...

TTFN,
Scrapz :p