I had similar issues yesterday with a new Inspiron 530 that came with ubuntu installed.

 

Had to do some major editing to get the sound working using the ALSA sound drivers and alsamixer commands. Advanced Linux

 

ALSA = the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture

 

I have Kubuntu running on my pc so forgive any mention of KDE stuff . In your konsole/terminal type :

 

sudo alsamixer

 

then your password

 

You will then see a basic sound mixer showing the status of all sound-related
devices. Check which ones have MM under, then select them one by one and press M key
to unmute them.

 

You can also increase the levels up and down with your arrow buttons

 

I have also just found an excellent guide to ALSA here:

 

http://www.debianhelp.co.uk/sound.htm

 

Y

Have you tried the wiki:

http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_8.04/Issues/No_Sound_After_Distribution_Or_Kernel_Upgrade

I have, except I replaced the line:

 

$ sudo dpkg -r linux-backports-modules-2.6.22-14-generic

 

With $ sudo dpkg -r linux-backports-modules-2.6.24-19-generic.

 

(As that was the last kernel version).

 

Still no sound. I purchased this 1525N laptop with Gutsy, and was successfully able to restore the sound after upgrading to Hardy as per the Dell Wiki. The wiki needs an upgrade.

 

StewartM

Shanix: That is most weird. I was aware of that page, however it describes problems with switching to Ubuntu / kernel versions that were before my previous kernel anyway. So I was already successfully using a kernel later than the ones on that page without sound problems (apart from problems with Flash hogging sound resources). Indeed because of the Flash problems I tried the steps on that page but I didn't have that replaced-by-modem driver so everything seemed fine.

Now with the -21 kernel the appropriate folder does have a renamed driver file. o_O So I followed the steps and everything works just fine again...

So, thanks for that!

 

andybleaden: alsamixer failed because the sound card wasn't recognised so I couldn't do anything with that.

 

StewartMM: Did you try the steps in the section "If already running Ubuntu 8.04 and upgrading to kernel 2.6.24-17-generic"?

I should add that I can boot successfully with sound to kernel 2.6.24-19-generic.

 

StewartM

good luck!
let us know how you got on

Yes, I tried that first. However, I think I made a simple error. I'm going to reboot now and try it.

 

StewartMM

It works!

 

I'm using GNOME commander in lieu of having to type in some of the commands (using the shell is easier than typing the path of like 8 directories) and when I renamed the driver file, I noticed I didn't take out the "hsfmodem".

 

Going back, doing that, and thing typing in the last three lines:

 

$ sudo depmod -a

$ sudo update-initramfs -u

$ sudo reboot

 

Took care of everything!

 

But what's really nice about Linux was that even before I was helped with the fix, I still had a usable system, as I just booted up using 2.6.24-19-generic until I was helped the fix.

 

(BTW, will the modem fix work? I don't really need the modem, but I suspect the same driver which previously worked, if I chose to install it, would work. I probably won't install it again (to avoid this happening again, but just checking to see if anyone knew).

 

StewartM

Hi,

 

I tried going to the Wiki article and doing what it says, however when I paste the first line:

 

$ cd /lib/modules/2.6.24-17-generic/ubuntu/sound/alsa-driver/pci/hda

 ...in the 'Terminal' thing, it tells me: bash: $: command not found

 I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me with this.

Also, I'm not too good with computers so the simplest language possible would be nice. :)

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

oops!

a friend just told me not to put the '$' sign. 

 

it stilll says:

 

bash: cd: /lib/modules/2.6.24-17-generic/ubuntu/sound/alsa-driver/pci/hda: No such file or directory

anybody have any suggestions?