[ubuntu] Please read: Audio gotchas in Ubuntu 9.10

[crimsun]

I've put together a list of common pitfalls when upgrading to Ubuntu 9.10. It's located at http://drowninginbugs.blogspot.com/2...io-in-910.html.

Briefly,
* Use Karmic's kernel, not Jaunty's.
* Check that slmodemd is not running if you're seeing a dummy/null sink in the volume control applet.
* Install linux-backports-modules-alsa-karmic (then reboot) if you have a very new computer.
* Use a temporary alternate channel mapping for PulseAudio if you have an ice17xx-based sound card.
* Configure PulseAudio to ignore your sound driver's misreported dB information if you experience "overdriven" sound.
* Attach a verbose PulseAudio runtime log to your PulseAudio bug report.
* Attach an ALSA codec dump to your linux bug report if jack sense (e.g., connecting headphones mutes internal laptop speakers) does not seem to function properly.

[geoffm]

I have to boot kernel 2.6.28 because I experience a severe kernel crash when I suspend/hibernate with 2.6.31
But audio doesn't work on 2.6.28.
Nothing appears in Sound Preferences/Hardware.
Is there a way to make the audio hardware work in the older kernel?

EDIT:
Actually, I reinstalled karmic from scratch and now all works fine with kernel 2.6.31

[efflandt]

Where did you find kernel 2.6.31-15?

Kernel 2.6.31-14 from 9.04 to 9.10 upgrade works fine on my 32-bit laptop. I did hear some clicks and pops probably, from the powersave issue, but not that noticeable on small speakers.

But 64-bit 2.6.31-14 on my upgraded desktop throws kernel oops due to something that is really just a warning, not fatal. Booting alternate older kernel 2.6.28-16 gets no oops, but seems to have killed all sound, even when I tried booting back into 2.6.31-14. Although, I am sure that it worked at first when I got 64-bit flash working in Firefox. Update Manager says there are no updates available.

I get sound booting to a live system on an install CD, which has 2.6.31-14, but I also get the kernel oops (bug 422536). Posting this from there with a music CD running.

I am new to Ubuntu, so not sure where to get a fix, even if the status of a bug is "fixed".

PS: Strange. After running the 9.10 live CD (which got the oops) I booted back to 2.6.31-14 on my hard drive and no oops, and sound works (including Firefox audio/video). Internal Audio shows up in Sound Preferences for Input, Mic, and Output instead of blank entries and Dummy Stereo output.

[BRPSA]

Hi I am having the same problem, kernel 2.6.31.14, when it starts the screen turns all black, and it stays like that. But if I boot with kernel 2.6.28-16 I don't have audio, and if I try to see a video the computer automatically re-starts. When It is booting in kernel 2.6.28-16 it appears for a few seconds a warning that says something like there is hardware that couldn't be mount in fstab and is giving me the option to press esc and start in the recovery mode.

I ll be waiting for your help!!
Thanks!!!!
bye

[willemto]

I upgraded to 9.10, and can start 2.6.28-16. (No audio as well) Can not boot from 2.6.3-14.

Tried grup2. Problem still there.

[Ian Sinclair]

Upgraded to 9.10 with the bug 422536. Cannot print photos from F-spot or Photoprint, cannot use Grisbi (accounts program) because of segmentation fault. You would think this would have been sorted out by Beta stage.

[andrewabc]

Add crackling sound solution to first post. Many people have this problem.

[ttguy]

I upgraded to 9.10 and then found web browsing stopped. ( I am not sure if audio was working on this upgraded version. )

I restored a cloned image of my /dev/sda1 partition. (My /home is on /dev/sda3).

After restoring back to 9.04 my browsing works but my audio is gone. I used to have the master volume control in the menu bar at the top. But this has disappeared.

So this is major suckyness.

I guess the upgrade changed some audio configuration in /home.

I bet a windows 7 upgrade would work !!!

Any suggestions.

edit: Fixed the missing Volume Control after restoring 9.04 - Right click on menu bar and choose add to panel. Choose Volume Applet.
After restoring the volume control I was able to unmute the audio.

Still want to know what the fix for my browsing problems in 9.10 though!

[David Starling]

I have the "overdriven sound" problem after upgrading to 9.10 from 9.04. I'm using an inspiron 9400 laptop. The link above mentions this problem, but there doesn't seem to be a detailed "fix" for it.

Any suggestions for a newb? Thanks.

[psidrum]

Originally Posted by willemto I upgraded to 9.10, and can start 2.6.28-16. (No audio as well) Can not boot from 2.6.3-14. Tried grup2. Problem still there.

try installing grub-pc,

was not able to install the latest kernel but after installing grub-pc, new kernel is working now, and also read my audio card.