Sound doesn't work on ATI SB450 HDA Audio using 2.6.20-16 kernel (but 2.6.20-15 works fine)

[Ogilvierothchild]

Binary package hint: linux-source-2.6.20

Installed ubuntu on gateway mt6452 laptop.
Kernel version linux-image-2.6.20-15-generic.
Sound worked fine.
Performed update which got new linux-image-2.6.20-16-generic from the security archive.
Sound stopped working -- my programs still saw the sound device and would get valid data back from the audio device, but no sound plays from the speakers or line out.
Reverted to linux-image-2.6.20-15-generic, audio works again.

Output from lspci -vv:

00:14.2 Audio device: ATI Technologies Inc SB450 HDA Audio (rev 01)
        Subsystem: ATI Technologies Inc SB450 HDA Audio
        Control: I/O- Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B-
        Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B- ParErr- DEVSEL=slow >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR-
        Latency: 64, Cache Line Size: 32 bytes
        Interrupt: pin ? routed to IRQ 17
        Region 0: Memory at c0000000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
        Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
                Flags: PMEClk- DSI- D1- D2- AuxCurrent=55mA PME(D0+,D1-,D2-,D3hot+,D3cold+)
                Status: D0 PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=0 PME-
        Capabilities: [60] Message Signalled Interrupts: Mask- 64bit+ Queue=0/0 Enable-
                Address: 0000000000000000 Data: 0000

In /var/log/messages under the -16 kernel:

hda_codec: invalid dep_range_val 0:7fff
last message repeated 63 times

with many identical entries (e.g. last message repeated 98 times).
also other errors such as

[ 53.904000] hda_codec: num_steps = 0 for NID=0x3
[ 253.940000] hda_codec: num_steps = 0 for NID=0x3
[ 260.576000] hda-intel: Invalid position buffer, using LPIB read method instead.
[ 571.392000] hda_codec: num_steps = 0 for NID=0x3

This bug may or may not be related to
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-source-2.6.20/+bug/117035

[Brian Murray (brian-murray)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. This bug does not meet the criteria for a stable release update and is being marked as Won't Fix for the kernel version the bug was submitted about. You can learn more about the stable release update process at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/StableReleaseUpdates .
However, the issue that you reported is one that should be possible to test with the live environment of the Desktop CD of the development release - Gutsy Gibbon. It would help us greatly if you could test with it so we can work on getting it fixed in the actively developed kernel. You can find out more about the development release at http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/ .
If you do decide to test with the development release of Ubuntu please comment on this bug report and include at least the minimal information requested at http://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeamBugPolicies . Thanks again and we appreciate your help.

[Greg Toombs (greg-toombs)]

Well I'm using the bleeding-edge Gutsy and it's no better. At one point gutsy actually did work if I used the model fix in /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base, but now that doesn't help.

$ asoundconf list
Names of available sound cards:
SB

$ uname -a
Linux shuffles 2.6.22-12-generic #1 SMP Thu Sep 20 18:51:18 GMT 2007 i686 GNU/Linux

Other outputs attached.

[Greg Toombs (greg-toombs)]

It turns out that when I add the following to the end of /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base,

options snd-hda-intel model=toshiba position_fix=0

I no longer get complaints about position buffers in dmesg. But playback is still silent, so there's no improvement.

Ogilvie, could you try adding
options snd-hda-intel position-fix=0

and see if anything improves, and recheck dmesg?

[Greg Toombs (greg-toombs)]

Sorry, that should read position_fix, not position-fix.

[mattmyers83 (mattmyers83)]

Audio device: ATI Technologies Inc SB450 HDA Audio (rev 01)
        Subsystem: Toshiba America Info Systems Unknown device ff10
        Control: I/O- Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B-
        Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B- ParErr- DEVSEL=slow >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR-

Same problem.. YEY!!!

[Greg Toombs (greg-toombs)]

The failure over about a year to consistently fix the flaky and frequently regressed code for this sound module in Ubuntu made me switch to Gentoo. Good game, thanks for coming out Canonical.

[Gabri (gabrielelatino)]

I've got the same problem (and all my team with me) :(

2.6.22-14-generic

00:14.2 Audio device: ATI Technologies Inc SB450 HDA Audio (rev 01)

In my opinion, this bug is a severe regressions from the previous release of Ubuntu, I don't know why this bug isn't been marked as an high-impact bug and why it isn't still been fixed...

An os without audio isn't a usable os.....

p.s.: if you need some informations/tests on my pc, pls ask me

[mattmyers83 (mattmyers83)]

They have a fix for this bug but do not include it because it does render
the OS unstable when applied.

Matt

On 11/2/07, Gabri <email address hidden> wrote:
>
> I've got the same problem (and all my team with me) :(
>
> 2.6.22-14-generic
>
> 00:14.2 Audio device: ATI Technologies Inc SB450 HDA Audio (rev 01)
>
>
> In my opinion, this bug is a severe regressions from the previous release
> of Ubuntu, I don't know why this bug isn't been marked as an high-impact bug
> and why it isn't still been fixed...
>
> An os without audio isn't a usable os.....
>
> p.s.: if you need some informations/tests on my pc, pls ask me
>
> --
> Sound doesn't work on ATI SB450 HDA Audio using 2.6.20-16 kernel (but
> 2.6.20-15 works fine)
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/136308
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[Gabri (gabrielelatino)]

so it isn't still a real fix.... :(

[mattmyers83 (mattmyers83)]

It will never be a fix, the ATI SB450 is an AC97 codec chipset designed for
windows. Its a super crappy sound card, Ubuntu purposely will not fix this
because when its working it makes the system unstable.

On 11/2/07, Gabri <email address hidden> wrote:
>
> so it isn't still a real fix.... :(
>
> --
> Sound doesn't work on ATI SB450 HDA Audio using 2.6.20-16 kernel (but
> 2.6.20-15 works fine)
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/136308
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[Gabri (gabrielelatino)]

Crappy or not crappy, with Feisty I hadn't any problem and the sound was clear. This soundcard is mounted on my Toshiba L30, I don't think to be the one having this soundcard.... If the fix makes the system unstable, probably it isn't a good fix, I can't think that Ubuntu's team don't want to fix this problem... If it's true, I think I'll leave Ubuntu for another distribution.

In the Ubuntu's wiki, (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/StableReleaseUpdates) I can read that the fix is important when the bug represent a severe regressions from the previous release of Ubuntu... And, in my opinion, having a pc whit no sounds is a big regression...

[lindylex (sexelex)]

[SOLUTION]
I use to have the same problem with when I installed Debain Etch.
The following link will solve this problem.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HdaIntelSoundHowto

Thanks,
Lindylex

[Greg Toombs (greg-toombs)]

Excellent, Lindylex's solution works! Now why can't Canonical resolve the difference between the stock alsa package from their homepage and the Ubuntu kernel module?

[William Pitcock (nenolod)]

As far as I am aware, ALSA has been synced up with upstream in Hardy.

On Fri, 2008-01-11 at 18:27 +0000, Greg Toombs wrote:
> Excellent, Lindylex's solution works! Now why can't Canonical resolve
> the difference between the stock alsa package from their homepage and
> the Ubuntu kernel module?
>

[Chris Coulson (chrisccoulson)]

It unfortunately appears that this bug is not yet resolved. Does this issue still exist in the Hardy Heron 8.04 LTS release? If so, the Intrepid Ibex 8.10 Alpha2 is also scheduled for release today. It will appear at the following when available: http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/intrepid/alpha2 . It contains the actively developed 2.6.26 Ubuntu kernel. It would be great if you could test this upcoming release via a LiveCD and verify if the issue still exists. If so, please include the appropriate debugging information as outlined at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingSoundProblems . Thanks in advance.

[Gabri (gabrielelatino)]

In attachments there is the result of ALSA automatic script on my laptop.

I've notice that I can hear the sound ONLY with the headphones, the speakers doesn't play any sound.

If you need other test, I'm at your disposal.

Thanks a lot,

Gabriele

[Chris Coulson (chrisccoulson)]

Thanks Gabri,

Can you also provide the other information requested in the Reporting Bugs section of https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingSoundProblems.

Thanks in advance.

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

The Ubuntu Kernel Team is planning to move to the 2.6.27 kernel for the upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release. As a result, the kernel team would appreciate it if you could please test this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. There are one of two ways you should be able to test:

1) If you are comfortable installing packages on your own, the linux-image-2.6.27-* package is currently available for you to install and test.

--or--

2) The upcoming Alpha5 for Intrepid Ibex 8.10 will contain this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. Alpha5 is set to be released Thursday Sept 4. Please watch http://www.ubuntu.com/testing for Alpha5 to be announced. You should then be able to test via a LiveCD.

Please let us know immediately if this newer 2.6.27 kernel resolves the bug reported here or if the issue remains. More importantly, please open a new bug report for each new bug/regression introduced by the 2.6.27 kernel and tag the bug report with 'linux-2.6.27'. Also, please specifically note if the issue does or does not appear in the 2.6.26 kernel. Thanks again, we really appreicate your help and feedback.

[Sergio Zanchetta (primes2h)]

The 18 month support period for Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 has reached its end of life -
http://www.ubuntu.com/news/ubuntu-7.10-eol . As a result, we are closing the
linux-source-2.6.22 kernel task. It would be helpful if you could test the
new Jaunty Jackalope 9.04 release and confirm if this issue remains -
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/904overview. If the issue still exists with the Jaunty
release, please update this report by changing the Status of the "linux (Ubuntu)"
task from "Incomplete" to "New". Also please be sure to run the command below
which will automatically gather and attach updated debug information to this
report. Thanks in advance.

apport-collect -p linux-image-2.6.28-11-generic 136308

[Keng-Yu Lin (lexical)]

This bug report was marked as Incomplete a while ago and has not had any feedback to provide the requested information. As a result this bug is being closed. Please reopen if this is still an issue in the latest Karmic 9.10 Alpha release http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/karmic/ . Also, please be sure to provide any requested information that may have been missing. To reopen the bug, click on the current status under the Status column and change the status back to "New". Thanks.

[mattmyers83 (mattmyers83)]

LinkedIn
------------

Bug,

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- Matt

Matt Myers
IT Operations at Bandanas BBQ
Greater St. Louis Area

Confirm that you know Matt Myers
https://www.linkedin.com/e/99ddbt-gf6wnj91-3y/isd/1771052559/GYscd1xj/

--
(c) 2010, LinkedIn Corporation