Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue

RingLeadr · 06-01-2009, 11:30 AM

Hey all,

All right, I've been using Ubuntu for roughly six weeks now. I've adjusted pretty well to it and have had no major issues beyond occasionally some spotty recognition of hardware. However, this particular problem I have been working on for several weeks now with no real progress.

First off, I'm using a Dell XPS mM1530, purchased just over a year ago. It has dual-core 2.4ghz processors, 4GB RAM, 250GB 720rpm HD, and was running Vista Home Premium SP 1.

Now, the issue I'm having is a common one I have found on hours of Google searches, but none of the solutions/fixes I have found have worked, though it could just be that I did something wrong.

My issue is that Ubuntu does not recognize either a built-in microphone or an external microphone, period. I've configured alsamixer over and over, made sure I had the record function, I've toggled all the Capture and Record settings to on and put the sliders at max, I've gone into terminals and ran commands to try and make headway, but no go.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to use Skype in order to talk to my fiancee - at the moment I'm studying abroad. I can hear her just fine, but I can't talk. I've gone into the Skype Audio settings and done every possible configuration to see if one will work, but none of them do anything - though I do note that some of them make matters worse, and I can't hear her! However, this tells me it is not a problem with Skype.

What I would like to do, at the moment, is re-install the drivers for my sound card, but I am not completely sure how to do that on Ubuntu. Nevertheless, the goal of anything I attempt is to get the microphones working - either the built-in or the external, at this point, I really don't care which one.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on a fix? And is anyone willing to walk me through how to re-install the drivers? I had a friend of a friend suggest doing that to me.

Thank you in advance.

Robert

**wmorri** · 06-02-2009, 08:24 PM

Hi,

Welcome to TSF!!

Thank you for all the information this is all very helpful, most people don't give us this much to work with!!

Lets see if we can get you going. I would like to know three things to get you started. I would like to know what is the brand and model of your external mic, and what soundcard you have in your computer. Last I would like you to copy this command into terminal.

Code:

lspci <-- l is a lower case L

Lets start with that and see what we get then we can move on from there. I have great confidence that we can get you up and running.

Cheers!

RingLeadr · 06-02-2009, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the welcome - glad I could give you helpful information to start with - I have been a moderator in the internet world for several years and I've also dealt with tech support online, so I try to provide as much actually pertinent information off the bat as comes to mind.

At the moment, I'm just using a cheap Emtec headset, with one plug for the mic, and another for the headphones. Sadly, my nice headset was broken on my last transatlantic flight, but no matter. You can find the Emtec headset on their website in their VOiP Starter Kit.

Quote:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile PM965/GM965/GL960 Memory Controller Hub (rev 0c)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile PM965/GM965/GL960 PCI Express Root Port (rev 0c)
00:1a.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 02)
00:1a.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #5 (rev 02)
00:1a.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
00:1c.4 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) PCI Express Port 5 (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev f2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801HEM (ICH8M) LPC Interface Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801HBM/HEM (ICH8M/ICH8M-E) IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801HBM/HEM (ICH8M/ICH8M-E) SATA AHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation GeForce 8600M GT (rev a1)
03:09.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Ricoh Co Ltd R5C832 IEEE 1394 Controller (rev 05)
03:09.1 SD Host controller: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C822 SD/SDIO/MMC/MS/MSPro Host Adapter (rev 22)
03:09.2 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C843 MMC Host Controller (rev 12)
03:09.3 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd R5C592 Memory Stick Bus Host Adapter (rev 12)
03:09.4 System peripheral: Ricoh Co Ltd xD-Picture Card Controller (rev ff)
09:00.0 Ethernet controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88E8040 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller (rev 12)
0b:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 4965 AG or AGN [Kedron] Network Connection (rev 61)

There's all the information from your command, gave it all in case some of it becomes relevant later.

RingLeadr · 06-04-2009, 05:29 PM

Sort of a separate issue altogether, but something I just thought of and would like to adjust also:

Back when I was running Vista, I switched my laptop's dvd-rw drive's region for the semester. It's still switched despite the OS switch, and I'd like to know how to switch it back in Linux, as the semester is about to end and I'd like to be able to watch my American DVDs again.

**wmorri** · 06-05-2009, 11:41 AM

Hi,

Ok thank you for that information the line I was looking for was:

Code:

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 02)

I would also like you to post the output of

Code:

gedit /proc/asound/cards

This will show me what order the sound card is in.

I won't be back until Sunday so have a great weekend.

Cheers!

RingLeadr · 06-05-2009, 12:26 PM

Yeah I figured that was the relevant line.

The output of that command was to tell me the file /proc/asound/cards changed on disk and to ask me if I want to reload the file or not - do I?

You have a good weekend as well!

**wmorri** · 06-05-2009, 12:44 PM

Hi,

You can reload the file. It shouldn't hurt anything.

Cheers!

RingLeadr · 06-05-2009, 12:45 PM

All right, so what happens next?

**wmorri** · 06-06-2009, 10:16 PM

I need to see the output from the file.

Cheers!

RingLeadr · 06-07-2009, 03:11 PM

That command does not do anything beyond open up a gedit box with a tab that says "cards." What am I looking for, exactly? There's no information in the terminal or in the box, it's just a blank window.

Sorry if I am missing something.

**wmorri** · 06-07-2009, 07:47 PM

Hi,

Ok what happens if you put cat /proc/asound/cards back in terminal? I am curious if you get the reload message again.

Cheers!

RingLeadr · 06-08-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

0 [Intel ]: HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
HDA Intel at 0xfebfc000 irq 21

That's the result of that command.

RingLeadr · 06-13-2009, 07:33 AM

Any ideas?

**wmorri** · 06-13-2009, 08:47 AM

I don't have any ideas right now. I will send a message to another member that might have some ideas for you.

It might be a day or two.

Cheers!

Rome5 · 06-15-2009, 12:04 PM

1. Can you recall what steps you've taken so far? At least what commands you've run?

2. Two things;
first, if you would go to System > Preferences > Sound
- what device is listed under "Sound Capture"?
second, in Skype's settings, what device is listed for sound capture? (I don't have skype installed at the moment so I can't be more specific. Should say alsa, oss, pulse, etc...)

3. Would you post the output of the following:

Code:

lsmod | grep snd

4. Have you attempted to record audio using the 'arecord' command with Alsa?

RingLeadr · 06-19-2009, 01:02 PM

My apologies on the delay, Rome - I've been in the midst of traveling, making my way back to the States. Currently I'm in London. I'll get right on these steps and get back to you soon.

06-01-2009, 11:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
RingLeadr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11 OS: Ubuntu 8.10	Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue Hey all, All right, I've been using Ubuntu for roughly six weeks now. I've adjusted pretty well to it and have had no major issues beyond occasionally some spotty recognition of hardware. However, this particular problem I have been working on for several weeks now with no real progress. First off, I'm using a Dell XPS mM1530, purchased just over a year ago. It has dual-core 2.4ghz processors, 4GB RAM, 250GB 720rpm HD, and was running Vista Home Premium SP 1. Now, the issue I'm having is a common one I have found on hours of Google searches, but none of the solutions/fixes I have found have worked, though it could just be that I did something wrong. My issue is that Ubuntu does not recognize either a built-in microphone or an external microphone, period. I've configured alsamixer over and over, made sure I had the record function, I've toggled all the Capture and Record settings to on and put the sliders at max, I've gone into terminals and ran commands to try and make headway, but no go. Ideally, I'd like to be able to use Skype in order to talk to my fiancee - at the moment I'm studying abroad. I can hear her just fine, but I can't talk. I've gone into the Skype Audio settings and done every possible configuration to see if one will work, but none of them do anything - though I do note that some of them make matters worse, and I can't hear her! However, this tells me it is not a problem with Skype. What I would like to do, at the moment, is re-install the drivers for my sound card, but I am not completely sure how to do that on Ubuntu. Nevertheless, the goal of anything I attempt is to get the microphones working - either the built-in or the external, at this point, I really don't care which one. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on a fix? And is anyone willing to walk me through how to re-install the drivers? I had a friend of a friend suggest doing that to me. Thank you in advance. Robert

06-02-2009, 08:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,719 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue Hi, Welcome to TSF!! Thank you for all the information this is all very helpful, most people don't give us this much to work with!! Lets see if we can get you going. I would like to know three things to get you started. I would like to know what is the brand and model of your external mic, and what soundcard you have in your computer. Last I would like you to copy this command into terminal. Code: lspci <-- l is a lower case L Lets start with that and see what we get then we can move on from there. I have great confidence that we can get you up and running. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

06-04-2009, 05:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
RingLeadr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11 OS: Ubuntu 8.10	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue Sort of a separate issue altogether, but something I just thought of and would like to adjust also: Back when I was running Vista, I switched my laptop's dvd-rw drive's region for the semester. It's still switched despite the OS switch, and I'd like to know how to switch it back in Linux, as the semester is about to end and I'd like to be able to watch my American DVDs again.

06-05-2009, 11:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,719 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue Hi, Ok thank you for that information the line I was looking for was: Code: 00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 02) I would also like you to post the output of Code: gedit /proc/asound/cards This will show me what order the sound card is in. I won't be back until Sunday so have a great weekend. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

06-05-2009, 12:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
RingLeadr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11 OS: Ubuntu 8.10	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue Yeah I figured that was the relevant line. The output of that command was to tell me the file /proc/asound/cards changed on disk and to ask me if I want to reload the file or not - do I? You have a good weekend as well!

06-05-2009, 12:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,719 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue Hi, You can reload the file. It shouldn't hurt anything. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

06-05-2009, 12:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
RingLeadr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11 OS: Ubuntu 8.10	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue All right, so what happens next?

06-06-2009, 10:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,719 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue I need to see the output from the file. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

06-07-2009, 03:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
RingLeadr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11 OS: Ubuntu 8.10	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue That command does not do anything beyond open up a gedit box with a tab that says "cards." What am I looking for, exactly? There's no information in the terminal or in the box, it's just a blank window. Sorry if I am missing something.

06-07-2009, 07:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,719 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue Hi, Ok what happens if you put cat /proc/asound/cards back in terminal? I am curious if you get the reload message again. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

06-13-2009, 07:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
RingLeadr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11 OS: Ubuntu 8.10	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue Any ideas?

06-13-2009, 08:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
wmorri Moderator/Fedora Amb. Join Date: May 2008 Location: /pm/etc Posts: 2,719 OS: Window 7/Fedora 10 My System	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue I don't have any ideas right now. I will send a message to another member that might have some ideas for you. It might be a day or two. Cheers! __________________ Linux Forever!

06-15-2009, 12:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
Rome5 Alternative Computing Team Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Denver.CO Posts: 311 OS: Arch linux	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue 1. Can you recall what steps you've taken so far? At least what commands you've run? 2. Two things; first, if you would go to System > Preferences > Sound - what device is listed under "Sound Capture"? second, in Skype's settings, what device is listed for sound capture? (I don't have skype installed at the moment so I can't be more specific. Should say alsa, oss, pulse, etc...) 3. Would you post the output of the following: Code: lsmod \| grep snd 4. Have you attempted to record audio using the 'arecord' command with Alsa? __________________ Arch64 ~ PekWM

06-19-2009, 01:02 PM	#16 (permalink)
RingLeadr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11 OS: Ubuntu 8.10	Re: Ubuntu 8.10 Audio Issue My apologies on the delay, Rome - I've been in the midst of traveling, making my way back to the States. Currently I'm in London. I'll get right on these steps and get back to you soon.