[Wolves] Sudden sound problems with k/ubuntu???

[Alex Willmer]

On Tue, 2005-11-08 at 22:25 +0000, Bobby Singh wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I have ubuntu 5.10 and has been all working.  I
> thought i try out kubuntu (via apt-get in ubuntu).  As
> i like KDE. Now kubuntu worked but sound was delayed
> but worked.  Now i go back to ubuntu and my sound has
> gone.

GNOME and KDE each use a sound server for network transparency and to
allow mixing with the old OSS sound API. GNOME uses esd, KDE uses artsd.
It's probable that artsd has been installed, either replacing esd or
interfering with it somehow. Another possible conflict is between OSS -
the older deprecated sound API, and ALSA the new API.

> When i click on the 'speaker on the panel' i get;
> 
> - Error
> -The volume control did not find any elements and/or 
> -devices to control. This means either that you don't
> -have the right GStreamer plugins installed, or that
> -you don't have a sound card configured.
> -You can remove the volume control from the panel by
> -right-clicking the speaker icon on the panel and
> -selecting "Remove From Panel" from the menu.
> 
> My sound worked before but i stilled checked
> gstreamer.  

What aspects of gstremer did you check?gf I would seggest checking that
the gstreamer0.8-esd & gstreamer-alsa packages are installed.

> I notice in 'System->Admin->Sound' i can't
> see my sound card but its in 'Device manager' apps. 
> When i go back into kubuntu it starts-up with the
> message
> 
> - informational-artsmessage
> -Sound server informational mesage:
> -Error while initializing the sound driver:
> -device: defaualt can't be opened for playback
> (permission denied).
> -The sound server will continue, using the null output
> device.

Annoyingly 'permission denied is about the most generic error it could
give. It's unlikely to be a permission problem, more likely the sound
device has already been locked - perhaps by esd. However esd should not
start unless you are running a gnome session.

> And when i try adjusting the sound in system via
> kubuntu and press 'apply' i get the same above
> messgae.
> I tried going in as root and the sound all works fine
> in both ubuntu and kubuntu.

Something may be started when logging in as your normal that is not when
logging in as root. Have you made any customisations to your .xinitrc or
some other startup file in your home?

> Does ubuntu have a rescue tool to get my soundcard or
> how do i give users full permissions to my sound card?

There's no rescue tool for this problem, of which I'm aware. Depending
on your experience and confidence I'd suggest looking at the lowest
levels first and working up.
1. What are the modules for your soundcard? Are the loaded according to
lsmod?
2. Checks ALSA: Install alsa-utils, run alsamixer to adjust volume then
aplay /usr/share/sounds/phone.wav to check you hear something.
3. If the above are OK the problem is with esd/artsd. Perhaps a stale
lockfile is causing the problem or they're missing some component.

Sorry I can't be more specific

Alex