Troublesome purchase [(Un)resolved, closed]

[Just17]

Well if I open the mixer I see 2 setups. One is the usual set of sliders and one shows only IEC958. It seems to default to the last. I can't figure out how to change that at the moment. Sound DOES work according to tests using phonon. There is is even boot up sound!  But that then is sadly the last sound I will hear till next boot.

That is, unless I am mistaken, the digital output.

Now I know Linux can, I guess, it won't take long before PCLinuxOS will catch up.

I am unsure what you mean by this ....  but ....  as mentioned previously you need to set the default sound to the analogue output if you are not using the digital/HDMI output.

It is easy do if you have PulseAudio properly installed and enabled.
There are other methods also, which are the subject of other help posts/threads.

Maybe setting the output priority in KDE CC - Multimedia - Phonon for ALL devices would be sufficient.

[sling-shot]

Well, for my life I couldn't get sound on this thing and did something rare....
I looked for a alternative distro to try my luck. I choose as first Linux Mint.
Bingo!  Jackpot! All works right and straight out of the box, wow!
Now I know Linux can, I guess, it won't take long before PCLinuxOS will catch up.
Meanwhile this Laptop has to do with what it got. (Saves me sleep!) 

Now here is where your contribution comes into the picture
Since you know for sure that on another distribution things work properly, please find out how and report it to PCLinuxOS people. That would help PCLinuxOS catch up as you say.

[sling-shot]

....

You are indeed right. Quoting from here http://alsa.opensrc.org/DigitalOut

Terms used when dealing with digital outputs are:

    IEC958 - The name of the IEC standards document and often seen in the alsamixer controls
    S/PDIF or SPDIF - Stands for Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format, a specification for digital audio communication
    TOSLINK - Optical connectors/cables used for digital audio signal transmission
    HDMI - Connectors/cables used for digital audio and video signal transmission

[bicol_willem]

I am unsure what you mean by this ....

Simple, if others can a certain thing "ours" will find the way as well in time.

 but ....  as mentioned previously you need to set the default sound to the analogue output if you are not using the digital/HDMI output.


It is easy do if you have PulseAudio properly installed and enabled.
There are other methods also, which are the subject of other help posts/threads.[/i]ter reboot no trace as usual at the volume control/mixer.

Well it wasn't easy here, spend a week on it. Yes there was a problem with pulse. Installed it, activated it, rebooted (this times 10 or so) but .... after reboots there was no trace of pulse at volume control or mixer. Had to give up. It was impossible to activate analoque

Maybe setting the output priority in KDE CC - Multimedia - Phonon for ALL devices would be sufficient.

Well I think I tried about all. Many were looking with me and honestly no solution came by in a week. The waiting is on.
14 years ago I was many times confronted with hardware problems and drivers. It was part of my hobby. But I grow older and I don't mind fighting for a day or so but then it must be over. I was lucky to choose often the right distro with PCLinuxOS as champ. But this time it wasn't ready for the job I feel.

I got other boxes running PCLinuxOS and keep anargus eyes on developments re drivers/kernels etc. When the time is right PCLinuxOS will return on this laptop. Now I need to use it being fully operational, hence my move.

[Just17]

bicol_willem,
                    if PulseAudio is not functioning correctly you will not get the options necessary to control the sound devices.
You need to get it functioning properly if you wish to use it.

You reported that PA was not working properly ......  hence the lack of the controls.

[bicol_willem]

bicol_willem,
                    if PulseAudio is not functioning correctly you will not get the options necessary to control the sound devices.
You need to get it functioning properly if you wish to use it.

You reported that PA was not working properly ......  hence the lack of the controls.

Look here: We agree!   (Mission impossible for now)  

We really lack something here. Look at snapshot to see how easy it can be (for the user that is, LOL)  2 clicks is all it takes.
But of course this a other approach only. It got to be a underlaying driver or driver configuration problem imo.
OR.. kernel. This one sports 3.5.0-17-generic

[Just17]

The problem you have/had is that PulseAudio is/was not functioning ......  not driver or kernel issue.

I have been using it for about 2 years with all those controls in the pic - and many more -  available to me.

[bicol_willem]

The problem you have/had is that PulseAudio is/was not functioning ......  not driver or kernel issue.

I have been using it for about 2 years with all those controls in the pic - and many more -  available to me.

This time I can't agree here. WHY was pulse not working with this hardware is then the question. On other installs pulse isn't a problem exept for Skype use at some, seemingly also depending on hardware.

But anyway, it didn't work this time, gone wait for better times. Thanks for trying to help.

[Just17]

The problem you have/had is that PulseAudio is/was not functioning ......  not driver or kernel issue.

I have been using it for about 2 years with all those controls in the pic - and many more -  available to me.

This time I can't agree here. WHY was pulse not working with this hardware is then the question. On other installs pulse isn't a problem exept for Skype use at some, seemingly also depending on hardware.

But anyway, it didn't work this time, gone wait for better times. Thanks for trying to help.

Only you were in a position to determine that.
You appear to have chosen not to try to find the cause, so that question remains unanswerable by anyone reading this thread.

If you should change your mind and decide to look for the cause you know where to find us 

[bicol_willem]

The problem you have/had is that PulseAudio is/was not functioning ......  not driver or kernel issue.

I have been using it for about 2 years with all those controls in the pic - and many more -  available to me.

This time I can't agree here. WHY was pulse not working with this hardware is then the question. On other installs pulse isn't a problem exept for Skype use at some, seemingly also depending on hardware.

But anyway, it didn't work this time, gone wait for better times. Thanks for trying to help.

Only you were in a position to determine that.
You appear to have chosen not to try to find the cause, so that question remains unanswerable by anyone reading this thread.

If you should change your mind and decide to look for the cause you know where to find us 

Nagh, I find that a bit of a unfair statement. This thread is up for the last 7 days. I was looking for the cause. All these days I have tried anything I can think of. Some passed by and obviously also had no clue after all. Otherwise they would have helped knowing this forum. Some tried even. No solution came by. This seems a rare case.
You see, Pulse is using WORKING stuff is my guess. Sound didn't configure correctly somehow and pulse could obviously not change that. Have it installed/un-installed dozens of times with no glory. Don't make me feel now as if I didn't try please....
As for the cause, that is given in my posts: Either lack of correct driver, mis-configured driver for THIS hardware or Kernel too old or .... both!
I promise to look up this thread when ever things get resolved. Its easy to launch a remaster from time to time. What I got on hands now doesn't work.
That really is all 

[DeBaas]

In the audio config in PCC there is an option to switch on pulse audio.
a (long) time ago I switched it on, but it was complaining not installed,
but installed directly after my confirmation. Don't know if it's still doing it automaticly.
Did not check it lately, but also checked it with the older 2.x kernel then.
So bicol_willem if you want to check, try also the older kernel.

[Just17]

Well if I open the mixer I see 2 setups. One is the usual set of sliders and one shows only IEC958. It seems to default to the last. I can't figure out how to change that at the moment. Sound DOES work according to tests using phonon. There is is even boot up sound! But that then is sadly the last sound I will hear till next boot.

The answer to the problem is IMO, as I have previously posted, to change the default device to the analogue audio.

Sound is working obviously, so your guess that you have a sound driver or kernel problem is not supported.

IMO the solution is to change the default device to the analogue sound card. I have held that opinion since your first post and my first response.

As you did not succeed in making that change, there is no indication that it would not have solved the problem.

So now you know why I continue to hold that opinion  

[Just17]

In the audio config in PCC there is an option to switch on pulse audio.
a (long) time ago I switched it on, but it was complaining not installed,
but installed directly after my confirmation. Don't know if it's still doing it automaticly.
Did not check it lately, but also checked it with the older 2.x kernel then.
So bicol_willem if you want to check, try also the older kernel.

PulseAudio, after installing through Synaptic, must be enabled for it to function.
It can be installed and lie 'dormant' and disabled without much, if any effect on other parts of the install.

[sling-shot]

To rephrase a popular statement :

Code: [Select]

No one can help those who are not willing to help themselves.



---------------

PCC used to prompt and install additional software as needed earlier. Does it not do that now?
I have not had an opportunity to check it recently.

[Just17]

To rephrase a popular statement :

Code: [Select]

No one can help those who are not willing to help themselves.



---------------

PCC used to prompt and install additional software as needed earlier. Does it not do that now?
I have not had an opportunity to check it recently.

Yes ....  if you attempt to enable PA through PCC then it will install the needed packages, as I understand it, but the recommended method is to install task-pulseaudio and also pavucontrol through Synaptic and then enable it through PCC.