@lin398432.
Using nano to edit the files should be OK.
"I also considered using wine to install a .exe sound driver update from hp's website...will this work?"
That will not work, it may make things worse and complicate fixing the problem.
@PelletAR
It seems like you have a completely different problem; The hardware is different and your experience "The headphones don't work but the speakers do" does not match this bugs description. I suggest you create a new bug describing your problem.
@lin398432.
Using nano to edit the files should be OK.
"I also considered using wine to install a .exe sound driver update from hp's website...will this work?"
That will not work, it may make things worse and complicate fixing the problem.
@PelletAR
It seems like you have a completely different problem; The hardware is different and your experience "The headphones don't work but the speakers do" does not match this bugs description. I suggest you create a new bug describing your problem.
Jarl