HOWTO: nforce2 sound default drivers

[RastaMahata]

This used to be posted in the desktop forum. I think it deserved to be posted here for people to search

I found a .asoundrc file that allowed me to play several sounds. Here are the steps Followed (I have an nforce2 chipset)

1. killall esd
2. System > preferences > sound > the sound server thing: unchecked
3. gedit ~/.asoundrc (or /etc/asound.conf), and paste this:

pcm.nforce-hw {
    type hw
    card 0
}

pcm.!default {
    type plug
    slave.pcm "nforce"
}

pcm.nforce {
    type dmix
    ipc_key 1234
    slave {
        pcm "hw:0,0"
        period_time 0
        period_size 1024
        buffer_size 4096
        rate 44100
    }
}

ctl.nforce-hw {
    type hw
    card 0
}

3. sudo gedit /etc/libao.conf, and where it says esd, type alsa:

default_driver=alsa

4. System > preferences > multimedia: Select ALSA above, OSS below. This way you can record with your mic.
5. After you've changed /etc/asound.conf, use Synaptic to perform a smart pakage install. Install the libesd-alsa0 and all dependecies. (Thanks Ranime)
6. That's it, no need to reboot

test by playing a movie _and_ a song (totem + rhythmbox)...

anyway, gaim sounds seem choppy / bad quality, but totem movies play excellent (no audio delay). I've learnt how to live with it, though. (Maybe changing the sounds could work...)