Inaudible sound for snd-ali5451 after dist-upgrade from Hoary to Breezy

[Luiz Henrique]

I upgraded my PC and bought an ASUS K8U-X Motherboard. By the time I was still using Hoary, the sound "Just Worked". Then, after installing Breezy, the sound wasn't working anymore.
 I think it must a newer kernels' incompatibility.
 Not even on Dapper Flight 4 it works.

 The soundcard is an AD1888 with it's ALi M5455 chipset controller.

This is the #cat /proc/asound/cards

0 [M5455 ]: ICH - ALi M5455
                     ALi M5455 with AD1888 at 0x0, irq 18

This was done on a custom install. Hoary's base (via server install) with Breezy apps.

Thanks.

[Daniel T Chen (crimsun)]

Are you using Hoary's or Breezy's kernel? (``uname -r'')

Please attach the output from ``amixer -c0''.

[Luiz Henrique (luizhcamargo)]

I use the Hoary's kernel: 2.6.10-6-k7

Here is the "amixer -c0" output:
Simple mixer control 'Master',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Front Left: Playback 24 [77%] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 24 [77%] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Master Mono',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Mono: Playback 0 [0%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Master Surround',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'PCM',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Front Left: Playback 31 [100%] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 31 [100%] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Surround',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Front Left: Playback 31 [100%] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 31 [100%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Surround Jack as Input',0
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control 'Center',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Mono: Playback 31 [100%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Center/LFE Jack as Input',0
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [off]
Simple mixer control 'LFE',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Mono: Playback 0 [0%] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Line',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch cswitch cswitch-joined cswitch-exclusive
  Capture exclusive group: 0
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [off] Capture [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [off] Capture [off]
Simple mixer control 'CD',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch cswitch cswitch-joined cswitch-exclusive
  Capture exclusive group: 0
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [off] Capture [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [off] Capture [off]
Simple mixer control 'Mic',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined cswitch cswitch-joined cswitch-exclusive
  Capture exclusive group: 0
  Playback channels: Mono
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 31
  Mono: Playback 0 [0%] [off]
  Front Left: Capture [on]
  Front Right: Capture [on]
Simple mixer control 'Mic Boost (+20dB)',0
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'Mic Select',0
  Capabilities:
  Mono:
Simple mixer control 'Video',0
  Capabilities: cswitch cswitch-joined cswitch-exclusive
  Capture exclusive group: 0
  Capture channels: Front Lef...

[Daniel T Chen (crimsun)]

Please test with current Dapper.

[Márcio Vinícius (marvinmep)]

This bug happens to me too. But I discover something to fix it up. I type "gstreamer-properties" in a terminal and change the output device to ALSA instead of "Automatic" (I don't exactely the terms in english version I use the pt-br version). After the next reboot, the sound works. Lately I have to do it again in order to have sound other times. The question is: Why does the configuration get lost after I turn off the PC?

I'm using 6.06 LTS RC, and it happens since I tryed Ubuntu for the first time (with 5.10)

[Márcio Vinícius (marvinmep)]

I installed the ALSA Audio Debug, look its report when the sound isn't working:

vinicius@ubuntu:~$ ./aadebug
ALSA Audio Debug v0.1.0 - Sáb Mai 27 21:04:18 BRT 2006
http://alsa.opensrc.org/index.php?page=aadebug
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.txt

Kernel ----------------------------------------------------
Linux ubuntu 2.6.15-23-amd64-generic #1 SMP PREEMPT Tue May 23 13:45:47 UTC 2006 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Loaded Modules --------------------------------------------
snd_intel8x0 38440 0
snd_ac97_codec 110268 1 snd_intel8x0
snd_ac97_bus 4096 1 snd_ac97_codec
snd_pcm_oss 59424 0
snd_mixer_oss 20608 1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_pcm 104712 3 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss
snd_timer 29064 1 snd_pcm
snd 68576 6 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_timer
snd_page_alloc 13968 2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm

Modprobe Conf ---------------------------------------------
Warning: module config file does not exist
This means any kernel modules will not be auto loaded
See your linux distro docs on how to create this file

Proc Asound -----------------------------------------------
Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.10rc3 (Mon Nov 07 13:30:21 2005 UTC).
--- no soundcards ---
 33: : timer
cat: /proc/asound/hwdep: Arquivo ou diretório não encontrado
cat: /proc/asound/seq/clients: Arquivo ou diretório não encontrado

Dev Snd ---------------------------------------------------
timer

CPU -------------------------------------------------------
model name : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3000+
cpu MHz : 1999.971

RAM -------------------------------------------------------
MemTotal: 512052 kB
SwapTotal: 497972 kB

Hardware --------------------------------------------------
0000:00:00.0 Host bridge: ALi Corporation M1689 K8 Northbridge [Super K8 Single Chip]
0000:00:04.0 Multimedia audio controller: ALi Corporation M5455 PCI AC-Link Controller Audio Device (rev 20)
0000:00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
0000:00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
0000:00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
0000:00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control

[Márcio Vinícius (marvinmep)]

And the report from aadebug when the sound is working:

vinicius@ubuntu:~$ ./aadebug
ALSA Audio Debug v0.1.0 - Sáb Mai 27 21:26:26 BRT 2006
http://alsa.opensrc.org/index.php?page=aadebug
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.txt

Kernel ----------------------------------------------------
Linux ubuntu 2.6.15-23-amd64-generic #1 SMP PREEMPT Tue May 23 13:45:47 UTC 2006 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Loaded Modules --------------------------------------------
snd_intel8x0 38440 1
snd_ac97_codec 110268 1 snd_intel8x0
snd_ac97_bus 4096 1 snd_ac97_codec
snd_pcm_oss 59424 0
snd_mixer_oss 20608 1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_pcm 104712 3 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss
snd_timer 29064 1 snd_pcm
snd 68576 8 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_timer
snd_page_alloc 13968 2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm

Modprobe Conf ---------------------------------------------
Warning: module config file does not exist
This means any kernel modules will not be auto loaded
See your linux distro docs on how to create this file

Proc Asound -----------------------------------------------
Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.10rc3 (Mon Nov 07 13:30:21 2005 UTC).
0 [M5455 ]: ICH - ALi M5455
                     ALi M5455 with AD1888 at 0x0, irq 225
 18: [0- 2]: digital audio playback
 25: [0- 1]: digital audio capture
 16: [0- 0]: digital audio playback
 24: [0- 0]: digital audio capture
  0: [0- 0]: ctl
 33: : timer
cat: /proc/asound/hwdep: Arquivo ou diretório não encontrado
00-00: Intel ICH : ALi M5455 : playback 1 : capture 1
00-01: Intel ICH - MIC ADC : ALi M5455 - MIC ADC : capture 1
00-02: Intel ICH - IEC958 : ALi M5455 - IEC958 : playback 1
cat: /proc/asound/seq/clients: Arquivo ou diretório não encontrado

Dev Snd ---------------------------------------------------
controlC0 pcmC0D0c pcmC0D0p pcmC0D1c pcmC0D2p timer

CPU -------------------------------------------------------
model name : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3000+
cpu MHz : 1999.986

RAM -------------------------------------------------------
MemTotal: 512052 kB
SwapTotal: 497972 kB

Hardware --------------------------------------------------
0000:00:00.0 Host bridge: ALi Corporation M1689 K8 Northbridge [Super K8 Single Chip]
0000:00:04.0 Multimedia audio controller: ALi Corporation M5455 PCI AC-Link Controller Audio Device (rev 20)
0000:00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] HyperTransport Technology Configuration
0000:00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Address Map
0000:00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] DRAM Controller
0000:00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] K8 [Athlon64/Opteron] Miscellaneous Control

[Márcio Vinícius (marvinmep)]

There are 2 main differences between the two reports (the layout of this page strains its visulization):
1st on "Loaded modules" section...
In the first (when there's no sound) we have this:

snd_intel8x0 38440 0

snd 68576 6 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_timer

snd_page_alloc 13968 2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm

In the second this:
snd_intel8x0 38440 1

snd 68576 8 snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_timer

snd_page_alloc 13968 2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm

I don't know what it means, but I you do...

The second difference is in the "Proc Asound" section. The first report makes explicit that it was recognized no sound card. And the second depicts exactly which soundcard is installed in my system.

BUT I think the problem is clear in a text that appears in both reports. It is the text in "Modprobe Conf". What does it happen to such "module config file" ?

[Luiz Henrique (luizhcamargo)]

I've been using Dapper for a week.
I tried disabling ACPI on boot. It works, but it's strange: works good into a single session. If I restart my computer, it doesn't work anymore.

The most strange fact is: it's random. Sometimes it works, sometimes don't.

Things here are just like with Márcio Vinícius, from Breezy and above the sound doesn't works.

[Márcio Vinícius (marvinmep)]

Finally, I would change the severy of this issue. I don't know how it is around the world, but here in Brazil this motherboard (ASUS K8U-X, which cames with this Ali M5455) became very popular and a bug related with multimedia is critical because the common user looks for it - and it is a known fault (I don't how I should say it :P ) in Ubuntu.

[Luiz Henrique (luizhcamargo)]

Right now my sound it's like this: sometimes it works, sometimes not.
I'm *not* sure, but looks like that from 4 boots, the sound works on 2 of them.

I'm using Dapper's latest packages.

[MyNameIsNotBob (adothetechy)]

I have had this same problem while upgrading from Breezy to Dapper, however my sound was working under Breezy. The relevant outputs may be found at:
http://pastebin.ca/67083 - ``asoundconf list && tail -2 /proc/asound/oss/sndstat && amixer''
http://pastebin.ca/67084 - ``cat /proc/asound/modules && lspci -v && lspci -nv && dmesg''

'crimsun' on the #ubuntu channel asked me to report this here.

[Luiz Henrique (luizhcamargo)]

I'm getting tired.
After upgrading to the latest kernel (2.6.15-23.39 right now), the sound doesn't want to come back.
It was working partially, but, at the very least, worked.

I'm using a K7 kernel.

Unlike our friend above, the sound here didn't work on Breezy too.

[Luiz Henrique (luizhcamargo)]

This bug is VERY old, but I found a simple solution. (It's been a long time since I solved the problem too, just forgot to share it here -- sorry)

Inserting:
options snd-intel8x0 buggy_semaphore=1 buggy_irq=1
into /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base solves the problem in ANY version of Ubuntu (Breezy, Dapper, Edgy, Feisty, Gutsy and Hardy).

Attachment: my alsa-base file already with the snd-intel8x0 options.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Beginning with the Hardy Heron 8.04 development cycle, all open Ubuntu kernel bugs need to be reported against the "linux" kernel package. We are automatically migrating this linux-source-2.6.15 kernel bug to the new "linux" package. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this transition. Also, if you would be interested in testing the upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release, it is available at http://www.ubuntu.com/testing . Please let us know your results. Thanks!

[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.