Used http://idyllictux.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/ubuntu-904-jaunty-keeping-the-beast-pulseaudio-at-bay/ (well, almost, had to put exit at the top of /etc/init.d/pulseaudio, because update-rc.d wouldn't cooperate, and ran asoundconf reset-default-card at the end and left GNOME sound settings on "autodetect") ... now pulseaudio never starts and my volume settings remain the way I want them ! :D
Confirmed the problem is PulseAudio.
Used http:// idyllictux. wordpress. com/2009/ 04/21/ubuntu- 904-jaunty- keeping- the-beast- pulseaudio- at-bay/ (well, almost, had to put exit at the top of /etc/init. d/pulseaudio, because update-rc.d wouldn't cooperate, and ran asoundconf reset-default-card at the end and left GNOME sound settings on "autodetect") ... now pulseaudio never starts and my volume settings remain the way I want them ! :D