Hi,

I am a total newbie to Linux, albeit a knowledgeable user of DOS and Windows (since DOS 3.0). Decided to try Linux since I've always been sympathetic to the open source movement and am really tired of the drag on my wallet by MS.

I'm testing the Knoppix and SimplyMepis Live CDs. Knoppix 4.0 DVD, and SimplyMepis 3.3. I actually tested others, but these are the only two that essentially worked with the fewest problems. Ubuntu/Kubuntu, for example, won't mount hard drives by default (how stupid is that?), PCLinuxOS installs but drops to text mode (I really don't feel like learning DOS again, so to speak!).

With Knoppix, all indications are that the sound is working (Kmix shows everything is on, sound is enabled in K Center, etc.), but I can't hear anything! I've checked the boards, but can find no obvious solution. I do apologize beforehand, but part of the issue is that I need handholding. It's more than possible that I missed something basic in my search -- a manual or something on the Wiki that walks one through sound configuration problems, and shows how to use the command-line utilities on a step-by-step basis. Feel free to point me to the right resource(s), in a piecemeal fashion if necessary.

Here are the relevant specs of my computer: an ASUS A7V600 motherboard, with the VIA KT600 and VT8237 chipsets, ADI AD1980 SoundMAX 6-channel onboard

Thanks!