Posts: 15
pphilippy
Joined: 27 Nov 2010
#1
I'm new to Linux, and I'm having an issue with getting my sound card working.
I've found in the antiX forum here that running inxi -F will pull up some very pertinent information about my system and what's installed.

inix -F results:
System: Host ************** Kernel 2.6.32-1-mepis-smp i686 (32 bit) Distro antiX-M8.5-base Marek Edelman 11 April 2010
CPU: Single core Pentium III (Katmai) (UP) cache 512 KB flags (sse) bmips 1103.52 clocked at 551.290 MHz
Graphics: Card nVidia NV4 [RIVA TNT] X.Org 1.7.7 Res: 1024x768@60.0hz
GLX Renderer N/A GLX Version N/A Direct Rendering N/A

Audio: Card ESS ES1988 Allegro-1 at port 1800 BusID: 00:0c.0
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Version 1.0.21

Network: Card Accton SMC2-1211TX driver 8139too v: 0.9.28 at port 1400 BusID: 00:0a.0
Disks: HDD Total Size: 22.2GB (43.3% used) 1: /dev/hda WDC WD200EB-00CSF0 20.0GB
2: USB /dev/sda USB_Flash_Memory 2.0GB 3: USB /dev/sdb UFC 0.1GB
Partition: ID:/ size: 18G used: 7.4G (45%) fs: auto ID:swap-1 size: 0.80GB used: 0.02GB (3%) fs: swap
Info: Processes 86 Uptime 20:20 Memory 197.1/374.6MB Runlevel 5 Client Shell inxi 1.4.9

I've been reading that I need to use ALSA to setup and configure the sound card, but I'm not sure how to activate, initiate, configure even make ALSA run.. please, any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 279
afab4
Joined: 17 Oct 2009
#2
To run ALSA, open the antiX control center, select the hardware tab, choose configure sound system.
Posts: 903
plvera
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
#3
I noticed that you installed the base version, rather than the full version. Was that on purpose? The base version is a stripped-down, leaner version of full.
Posts: 2,238
dolphin_oracle
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
#4
Its also worth noting that sometimes alsa sets the default volume to 0 for some reason. I always check alsamixer (it should be in the menus) before messing around too much with configuration.
Posts: 4,164
rokytnji
Joined: 20 Feb 2009
#5
Audio: Card ESS ES1988 Allegro-1 at port 1800 BusID: 00:0c.0
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Version 1.0.21
Alsa is installed. No reason to run config sound card. Just type

Code: Select all

alsamixer


in terminal and adjust pcm and master to max.

Posts: 15
pphilippy
Joined: 27 Nov 2010
#6
From plvera:
I noticed that you installed the base version, rather than the full version. Was that on purpose? The base version is a stripped-down, leaner version of full.

No, this was not intentional, it was by accident. When I say I'm a newb. consider me Linux illiterate to the max. Heck, DOS is what I know, Windows, I know. I can figure out how to break down and fix any Microsoft product on the market, put linux in my lap, and I'm a baby... I know not a dog gone thing. so, I recently found out that I need to install the drivers for my sound card. (DUH! basic information for anyone who knows ANYTHING about computers, right?) No, for I thought when I installed ALSA, for some stupid reason, it would have installed the drivers for my sound card as well... well, maybe they are installed, I have no clue.

I don't know the file structure of Linux, I don't know the basic locations of where I SHOULD put things before I install them for either my private use or shared for multiple users to enjoy it...

for example, I got firefox installed, so I thought... I'm still running IceApe which came with Antix, but want to convert to Firefox, (just because I like the name.) and I can't figure out how to do that...

Just a couple of examples of how NEWBIE I am at this non-sense... but trust me, once I learn something, LEARN it... I've heard great things about Linux for many years, and i"m totally fed up with Microsoft's garbage operating systems that they keep forcing on the masses.
Posts: 15
pphilippy
Joined: 27 Nov 2010
#7
Oh yeah, and one more note about that comment about the basic and full install of ALSA, I used Synaptic to install it, and I had no idea that there is a difference in installs for ALSA. HELP... I know nothing at this point... I think I'm going to get a Dummies Book on Linux tomorrow if possible.
Posts: 15
pphilippy
Joined: 27 Nov 2010
#8
I try opening alsamixer, and I get this
*******************************:~$ alsamixer
cannot open mixer: No such file or directory

after I just installed alsamixer from Synaptic...
Posts: 903
plvera
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
#9
pphilippy,

If you havent spent a lot of time on this yet, you might consider installing the full version of antix and just trying it out for a bit.

And, welcome to Antix! It's a friendly bunch here so post away with questions/problems/comments.

Pedro
Posts: 4,164
rokytnji
Joined: 20 Feb 2009
#10
plvera wrote:pphilippy,

If you havent spent a lot of time on this yet, you might consider installing the full version of antix and just trying it out for a bit.

And, welcome to Antix! It's a friendly bunch here so post away with questions/problems/comments.

Pedro
I agree with pivera. AntiX Full has more tools than base iso. Base Iso is for guys like us who can configure and add applications and libraries we need and want. Base Iso is for tweakers or folks that don't have a lot of breathing room on hardrive like a EEEPC 2 gig surf.
Posts: 15
pphilippy
Joined: 27 Nov 2010
#11
Thanks to the guys here, I found out what my problem was. I was running the base version of antiX instead of the full version. Got the full version, installed it, and everything is GREAT!!!!!