I can confirm this issue, as well. In my instance, I experience only a high-pitched squeal that gradually builds over a few seconds and then plateaus until I change the volume or play a sound, at which point a "pop" sound is made. The proposed workaround works for me, as well.
uname -a
Linux leela 2.6.28-13-generic #45-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 30 22:12:12 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux
I can confirm this issue, as well. In my instance, I experience only a high-pitched squeal that gradually builds over a few seconds and then plateaus until I change the volume or play a sound, at which point a "pop" sound is made. The proposed workaround works for me, as well.
uname -a
Linux leela 2.6.28-13-generic #45-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 30 22:12:12 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux
lspci | grep Audio
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801JI (ICH10 Family) HD Audio Controller