[ale] installing sound

[Dave]

jihad al-mujaheed so elegantly wrote:
> 
> I installed Red Hat Linux on my notebook computer and I can't seem to get
> any sound to play. When I'm running  XplayCd from XWindows  everything seem
> to be working but I can't get any sound  to come out. What Haven't I done.
> 
> Jihad.
> jalmujah at vvm.com

Jihad--

It could be several things:

1) RedHat dosent install a kernel that supports sound by default, nor do
many distributions.  You will need to recompile the kernel to add sound
support, or get the OSS sound driver, which dosent need recompilation.

2) If you have already recompiled your kernel to support sound, make
sure that you selected the right settings and the right card, or that
your sound card is even compatible with linux.  (you need the EXACT
model number and chipset)

3) If none of the above work, check your /dev/sndstat file and make sure
the devices are being recognized.  

To test a sound file:

cat <file> > /dev/audio

I was wondering this same thing too, until I found out that (just my
luck) I have the ONLY OPTi card not currently supported.  Worst Case
Scenario: You'll just have to live without sound or go buy a compatible
card.

Regards,
dave