[Lenovo SL410, Intel 82801I, Mic, Internal] Mic doesn't work

[Javier López]

Mic is completely silent in the Lenovo SL410[1], volume settings in alsamixer are as follows in picture [2], [3] and [4] in every case mic keeps silent, the process I follow is:

1.- Set volume settings in alsamixer
2.- arecord -d 5 /tmp/test-mic.wav #try to record something
3.- aplay /tmp/test-mic.wav

The last command don't play anything, the workaround from bug #1002978 doesn't work since I don't run pulseaudio

Release of Ubuntu: Ubuntu 12.04
Package Version: alsa-base [ 1.0.25+dfsg-0ubuntu1 ]
Expected Results: arecord should be able to record audio
Actual Results: arecord doesn't record any audio

ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-24.37-generic-pae 3.2.14
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-24-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu7
Architecture: x86_64

[1] https://friendly.ubuntu.com/12.04/LENOVO/ThinkPad%20SL410/i:C0I:SCgOp:Co4:I8g:CNM:B9ip:Ic4:BHs:Ov0:BHs/
[2] http://i.imgur.com/m8lqo.png
[3] http://i.imgur.com/oqLDD.png
[4] http://i.imgur.com/GWsAW.png

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[David Henningsson (diwic)]

Hi Javier,

I have now added information on bug 1002978 on how to test for this symptom using Alsamixer. It surprises me a little - the Lenovo SL410 is certified, so it should be working correctly. Maybe the components in SL410 are different although Lenovo uses the same name for it...?

[Javier López (javier-lopez)]

Hello David,

Thanks for answering, I've followed the steps for alsamixer and still doesn't work.

1.- Open alsamixer
2.- F5 to show all controls
3.- Press «c» and later «q» in the capture bar to avoid getting the canceling effect
4.- Press «Esc» to save
5.- arecord -d 5 /tmp/test-mic.wav #to record
6.- aplay /tmp/test-mic.wav #fails

I'm pretty sure it's not a hardware problem, I've run the lucid live cd and the mic works just great there. My machine (except from the cpu) is a clone of the Ubuntu friendly profile I attached.
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[Javier López (javier-lopez)]

Hi David,

I've installed the package that you added to the original report #1002978 even when I know it shouldn't fix my problem.., however it did!, I've taken a couple of screenshots to show you how alsamixer behaves

The first screenshot [1] shows alsamixer with the default alsa package in precise, the second one [2] is with your package, I saw that it adds an «Internal Mic Boost» control that when enabled makes the mic works.

So I suspect it's not a inversion problem but another one.

I'd be glad to send you any information to get it fix it for real in precise, thanks for your work!

[1] http://i.imgur.com/nEz56.png
[2] http://i.imgur.com/ncNQt.png
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[David Henningsson (diwic)]

Hmm, could you try the following:

1) Uninstall the dkms package so you have a clean precise kernel.
2) Add this row to /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
options snd-hda-intel model=auto
3) reboot

Is this making internal mic work (without causing other changes/regressions for other outputs/inputs)?

[Javier López (javier-lopez)]

Hi David,

Yep, it fixed too, wop, I should had manage to fix it, unfortunately I know nothing about the sound system, so, I suppose this don't quality as a bug..

Thanks for your patient!
---
Ubuntu Bug Squad volunteer triager
http://wiki.ubuntu.com/BugSquad

[David Henningsson (diwic)]

Thanks. To summarize, this computer needs needs model=auto for 12.04/3.2 kernels, and will very likely work by default on the 12.10 kernels.

[Marcus Tomlinson (marcustomlinson)]

This release of Ubuntu is no longer receiving maintenance updates. If this is still an issue on a maintained version of Ubuntu please let us know.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for alsa-driver (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]