2.6.x sound woes

[Klaus-Peter Schrage]

Net Llama! wrote:
> I've been playing with assorted 2.6.x kernels on different boxes for a
> couple months now.  I've managed to get everything working except for
> sound.  I know that 2.6.x uses ALSA instead of OSS, and i've installed the
> assorted alsa userspace tools (alsa-lib & alsa-utils).  However, I still
> can't get sound to work at all, and i've had it working without a hitch on
> the same boxes under 2.4.
> 
> I've tried both with OSS emulation, and without pure ALSA.  I've tried
> building as modules, and compiling the support into the kernel.  In all
> cases, i end up with zilch.  The functional problem is that if i go to
> play an MP3, i get the error:

Some tests will show you whether alsa is functional:
1. cat /proc/asound/version: should give something like 'Advances Linux 
Sound .......
2. lsmod | grep snd: should give a lot of noise, among others your 
snd-ens1371, but there should be no other sound related modules except 
soundcore.
3. Is there a bunch of nodes in /dev/snd/? Otherwise create them by running
/usr/src/linux-2.6.4/scripts/MAKEDEV.snd.
4. See if OSS emulation is there with
cat /proc/asound/oss/sndstat

> Can't open /dev/dsp!
> 
> On this box /dev/dsp is a symlink to /dev/dsp0.  Keep in mind, that this
> worked just fine under 2.4.x.
> crwxrwxrwx    1 netllama root      14,   3 Jan 29 13:52 /dev/dsp0

In an alsa environment, /dev/dsp is created by alsa's OSS emulation to 
make applications 'think' there is still OSS running (xmms usually does 
so). Test genuine alsa with a:
aplay _any_.wav

> The soundcard in question is  Ensoniq AudioPCI ENS1371, and is recognized

... well supported under alsa, see
www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/doc-php/template.php?company=ESS+Technology&card=ES1371&chip=ES1371&module=ens1371
Klaus