Sound gone ...

[Briana83]

When the tech guy installed this the sounds were fine, but when I tried to enable midi support domething got deleted or moved. The driver *must* be there, as it is trying to find the sounds in /dev/dsp. However, when the computer starts up, it says the directory does not exist!



(Also, as a side note - I can't get my video drivers to install...for some reason it can't find a file that is RIGHT there in the directory.)

[hal8000]

You can use timidity to play midi files in linux. Unless you have a sound card that supports sound fonts like a sound blaster card then you will have to use timidity. As root:
apt-get install timidity

You need to post with more information:-
make model of your sound card, knoppix version and kernel (if altered), sometimes output of lspci-v can he helpful as well.
What exactly did you type (and where) to enable midi support?
If you have been in kde control panel, then you may have changed the sound server from alsa to oss or something, as you didnt install knoppix yourself, this may be difficult for you to correct, unless you can remember exactly what changes you have made.

[maxIT]

You can use timidity to play midi files in linux.

That's a good suggest.
Briana83 you need to notice that 'midi_don't_play' doesn't mean 'sound_doesn't_work_at_all'.
You can however play mp3s, wav etc.. Midi format is an issue by his own.

[Briana83]

THE SOUND DOES NOT WORK NOW. It used to. I could use timidity to play them before, but I am also somewhat of a composer, and wanted to CREATE midi files. none of the applications would let me, so I tried to upgrade my alsa stuff, but in the process something got moved or deleted, so NO sounds will play now.

(Ever felt like you're saying something, and no-one is listening!? ... Gee, wonder who feels that way right now.)

[Briana83]

My sound card is the Intel AC97...I have found the drivers downloads, and it won't install a dang thing!

[hal8000]

Lots of sound cards use AC97, we need to know the chipset. Do this and post back result plaese.
Open a terminal, become root then

lspci -v | grep audio

(after v is "pipe" looks like a vertical line with a break in)


Heres mine:
anc@orac:~$ lspci -v | grep audio
00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 02)


Can you also state the make and model of your motherboard, as you have onboard sound this is important as is the version of knoppix you are using.

[Briana83]

00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 02)

The computer is model an Emachines T2542, but I do not see what specific motherboard this is listed anywhere...

oh got told to do dmidecode as root...

SMBIOS 2.31 present.
36 structures occupying 1092 bytes.
Table at 0x000E4010.

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 20 bytes
BIOS Information
Vendor: Phoenix
Version: 6.00
Release Date: 07/30/2003
Address: 0xE6390
Runtime Size: 105584 bytes
ROM Size: 512 kB
Characteristics:
ISA is supported
PCI is supported
PC Card (PCMCIA) is supported
PNP is supported
APM is supported
BIOS is upgradeable
BIOS shadowing is allowed
ESCD support is available
USB legacy is supported
Smart battery is supported
BIOS boot specification is supported

Handle 0x0001, DMI type 1, 25 bytes
System Information
Manufacturer: eMachines, Inc.
Product Name: Imperial
Version: Revision 0.90
Serial Number: 0123456789
UUID: Not Settable
Wake-up Type: Power Switch

Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 8 bytes
Base Board Information
Manufacturer: TriGem Computer, Inc.
Product Name: Imperial
Version: 1.00
Serial Number: xxxxxxxxxxxx

Handle 0x0003, DMI type 3, 17 bytes
Chassis Information
Manufacturer: No Enclosure
Type: Other
Lock: Not Present
Version: N/A
Serial Number: None
Asset Tag: No Asset Tag
Boot-up State: Safe
Power Supply State: Safe
Thermal State: Safe
Security Status: None
OEM Information: 0x00001234

Handle 0x0004, DMI type 4, 35 bytes
Processor Information
Socket Designation: WMT478/NWD
Type: Central Processor
Family: Pentium 4
Manufacturer: Intel
ID: 29 0F 00 00 FF FB EB BF
Signature: Type 0, Family 15, Model 2, Stepping 9
Flags:
FPU (Floating-point unit on-chip)
VME (Virtual mode extension)
DE (Debugging extension)
PSE (Page size extension)
TSC (Time stamp counter)
MSR (Model specific registers)
PAE (Physical address extension)
MCE (Machine check exception)
CX8 (CMPXCHG8 instruction supported)
APIC (On-chip APIC hardware supported)
SEP (Fast system call)
MTRR (Memory type range registers)
PGE (Page global enable)
MCA (Machine check architecture)
CMOV (Conditional move instruction supported)
PAT (Page attribute table)
PSE-36 (36-bit page size extension)
CLFSH (CLFLUSH instruction supported)
DS (Debug store)
ACPI (ACPI supported)
MMX (MMX technology supported)
FXSR (Fast floating-point save and restore)
SSE (Streaming SIMD extensions)
SSE2 (Streaming SIMD extensions 2)
SS (Self-snoop)
HTT (Hyper-threading technology)
TM (Thermal monitor supported)
PBE (Pending break enabled)
Version: A0
Voltage: 1.8 V
External Clock: Unknown
Max Speed: 1500 MHz
Current Speed: 2500 MHz
Status: Populated, Enabled
Upgrade: Slot 1
L1 Cache Handle: 0x0005
L2 Cache Handle: 0x0006
L3 Cache Handle: Not Provided
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x0005, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L1 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Socketed, Level 1
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 16 KB
Maximum Size: 16 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Burst
Pipeline Burst
Asynchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Unknown
System Type: Unknown
Associativity: Unknown

Handle 0x0006, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L2 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Socketed, Level 2
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 128 KB
Maximum Size: 512 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Burst
Pipeline Burst
Asynchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Burst
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Unknown
System Type: Unknown
Associativity: Unknown

Handle 0x0007, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L3 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Socketed, Level 3
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 128 KB
Maximum Size: 512 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Burst
Pipeline Burst
Asynchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Burst
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Unknown
System Type: Unknown
Associativity: Unknown

Handle 0x0008, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J2A1
Internal Connector Type: 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
External Reference Designator: COM 1
External Connector Type: DB-9 male
Port Type: Serial Port 16550A Compatible

Handle 0x0009, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J3A1
Internal Connector Type: 25 Pin Dual Inline (pin 26 cut)
External Reference Designator: Parallel
External Connector Type: DB-25 female
Port Type: Parallel Port ECP/EPP

Handle 0x000A, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Keyboard
External Connector Type: Circular DIN-8 male
Port Type: Keyboard Port

Handle 0x000B, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: PS/2 Mouse
External Connector Type: Circular DIN-8 male
Port Type: Keyboard Port

Handle 0x000C, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI Slot #1 - J6B3
Type: 32-bit PCI
Current Usage: In Use
Length: Long
ID: 1
Characteristics:
5.0 V is provided
3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x000D, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI Slot #2 - J6B2
Type: 32-bit PCI
Current Usage: In Use
Length: Long
ID: 2
Characteristics:
5.0 V is provided
3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x000E, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI Slot #3 - J7B1
Type: 32-bit PCI
Current Usage: In Use
Length: Long
ID: 3
Characteristics:
5.0 V is provided
3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x000F, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
Type: Sound
Status: Disabled
Description: ALC202A

Handle 0x0010, DMI type 11, 5 bytes
OEM Strings
String 1: This is the TriGem Computer's
String 2: System

Handle 0x0011, DMI type 12, 5 bytes
System Configuration Options
Option 1: Jumper settings can be described here.

Handle 0x0012, DMI type 15, 29 bytes
System Event Log
Area Length: 16 bytes
Header Start Offset: 0x0000
Header Length: 16 bytes
Data Start Offset: 0x0010
Access Method: General-purpose non-volatile data functions
Access Address: 0x0000
Status: Valid, Not Full
Change Token: 0x0000000D
Header Format: Type 1
Supported Log Type Descriptors: 3
Descriptor 1: POST error
Data Format 1: POST results bitmap
Descriptor 2: Single-bit ECC memory error
Data Format 2: Multiple-event
Descriptor 3: Multi-bit ECC memory error
Data Format 3: Multiple-event

Handle 0x0013, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
Location: System Board Or Motherboard
Use: System Memory
Error Correction Type: None
Maximum Capacity: 512 MB
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Number Of Devices: 2

Handle 0x0014, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: No Error
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 256 MB
Form Factor: DIMM
Set: 1
Locator: J5G3
Bank Locator: DIMM 0
Type: DDR
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x0015, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: No Error
Total Width: Unknown
Data Width: Unknown
Size: No Module Installed
Form Factor: DIMM
Set: 1
Locator: J5G2
Bank Locator: DIMM 1
Type: DDR
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x0016, DMI type 19, 15 bytes
Memory Array Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00000000000
Ending Address: 0x0000FFFFFFF
Range Size: 256 MB
Physical Array Handle: 0x0013
Partition Width: 0

Handle 0x0017, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00000000000
Ending Address: 0x0000FFFFFFF
Range Size: 256 MB
Physical Device Handle: 0x0014
Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0016
Partition Row Position: Unknown
Interleave Position: Unknown
Interleaved Data Depth: Unknown

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x0000FFFFC00
Ending Address: 0x0000FFFFFFF
Range Size: 1 kB
Physical Device Handle: 0x0015
Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0016
Partition Row Position: Unknown
Interleave Position: Unknown
Interleaved Data Depth: Unknown

Handle 0x0019, DMI type 23, 13 bytes
System Reset
Status: Enabled
Watchdog Timer: Present
Boot Option: Do Not Reboot
Boot Option On Limit: Do Not Reboot
Reset Count: Unknown
Reset Limit: Unknown
Timer Interval: Unknown
Timeout: Unknown

Handle 0x001A, DMI type 24, 5 bytes
Hardware Security
Power-On Password Status: Disabled
Keyboard Password Status: Unknown
Administrator Password Status: Not Implemented
Front Panel Reset Status: Unknown

Handle 0x001B, DMI type 25, 9 bytes
System Power Controls
Next Scheduled Power-on: 12-31 23:59:59

Handle 0x001C, DMI type 26, 20 bytes
Voltage Probe
Description: Voltage Probe
Location: Processor
Status: OK
Maximum Value: Unknown
Minimum Value: Unknown
Resolution: Unknown
Tolerance: Unknown
Accuracy: Unknown
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x001D, DMI type 27, 12 bytes
Cooling Device
Temperature Probe Handle: 0x001E
Type: Fan
Status: OK
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x001E, DMI type 28, 20 bytes
Temperature Probe
Description: Temperature Probe
Location: Processor
Status: OK
Maximum Value: Unknown
Minimum Value Unknown
Resolution: Unknown
Tolerance: Unknown
Accuracy: Unknown
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x001F, DMI type 29, 20 bytes
Electrical Current Probe
Description: Electrical Current Probe
Location: Processor
Status: OK
Maximum Value: Unknown
Minimum Value: Unknown
Resolution: Unknown
Tolerance: Unknown
Accuracy: Unknown
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x0020, DMI type 30, 6 bytes
Out-of-band Remote Access
Manufacturer Name: TriGem Computer, Inc.
Inbound Connection: Enabled
Outbound Connection: Disabled

Handle 0x0021, DMI type 32, 20 bytes
System Boot Information
Status: <OUT OF SPEC>

Handle 0x0022, DMI type 126, 4 bytes
Inactive

Handle 0x0023, DMI type 127, 4 bytes

[maxIT]

What about to create the missed file?
My 'dsp' actually looks as follow:

crw-rw-rw- 1 root audio 14,  3 Apr 15  2001 /dev/dsp

The 'c' at the beginning state it's a 'special character file', which require to be created with the 'mknod' command. Never created this kind of file before.
Another way to create it could be to copy it after booted the live cd.
Notice that the owners are the 'root' user and the 'audio' goup.

[onemyndseye]

Is Knoppix reporting your soundcard at boot? ... if so try issuing the following as root:

dpkg-reconfigure alsa-base


I've had this fix sound problems for me more than once.


Take care,
-Justin
One Mynds Eye

[maxIT]

Is Knoppix reporting your soundcard at boot? ... if so try issuing the following as root:

I guess that it's not strictly necessay that the sound hardware has to be recognised.
In one of my boxes knoppix doesn't recognise my sound hardware (embedded in the motherboard, not a separate soundcard) and the message that appears at boot is something like:
"sound subsistem not recognised"
"generic sound driverxxx loaded"
And the sound play fine on that pc.