Lenovo G50-45 inverted microphone not detected properly

[Nick Tasios]

System: Lenovo G50-45 with Lubuntu 16.04

Alsa information: http://www.alsa-project.org/db/?f=5e8ab749ddf4f0a7e4ae8f3ce678ddb9cb12c89f

Internal microphone does not pick up sound by default. When I mute one channel, it works (this is not a good workaround since some application, such as Facebook Messenger, unmute both channels and set them to the same level automatically).
---
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.1
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: silvana 2681 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC1: silvana 2681 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: LXDE
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=ed5f69ec-7e3c-40e2-9c00-9b93ff0b463f
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-09-02 (0 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Lubuntu 16.04.1 LTS "Xenial Xerus" - Release amd64 (20160720)
MachineType: LENOVO 80E3
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 radeondrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.4.0-36-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=baa34df9-fd6a-44bd-8c25-64bec78743a2 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-36.55-generic 4.4.16
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-4.4.0-36-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-4.4.0-36-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.157.3
Tags: xenial
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-36-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
_MarkForUpload: True
dmi.bios.date: 08/26/2014
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: A2CN25WW(V1.07)
dmi.board.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: Lancer 5B2
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.board.version: SDK0F82993 WIN
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: Lenovo G50-45
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvrA2CN25WW(V1.07):bd08/26/2014:svnLENOVO:pn80E3:pvrLenovoG50-45:rvnLENOVO:rnLancer5B2:rvrSDK0F82993WIN:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrLenovoG50-45:
dmi.product.name: 80E3
dmi.product.version: Lenovo G50-45
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. From a terminal window please run:

apport-collect 1619866

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

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[penalvch (penalvch)]

Nick Tasios, in order to allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue, at your earliest convenience, could you please test the latest upstream kernel available from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/?C=N;O=D ? Please keep in mind the following:
1) The one to test is at the very top line at the top of the page (not the daily folder).
2) The release names are irrelevant.
3) The folder time stamps aren't indicative of when the kernel actually was released upstream.
4) Install instructions are available at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/MainlineBuilds .

If testing on your main install would be inconvenient, one may:
1) Install Ubuntu to a different partition and then test this there.
2) Backup, or clone the primary install.

If the latest kernel did not allow you to test to the issue (ex. you couldn't boot into the OS) please make a comment in your report about this, and continue to test the next most recent kernel version until you can test to the issue. Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please comment on which kernel version specifically you tested. If this issue is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tags by clicking on the yellow circle with a black pencil icon, next to the word Tags, located at the bottom of the report description:
kernel-fixed-upstream
kernel-fixed-upstream-X.Y-rcZ

Where X, and Y are the first two numbers of the kernel version, and Z is the release candidate number if it exists.

If the mainline kernel does not fix the issue, please add the following tags:
kernel-bug-exists-upstream
kernel-bug-exists-upstream-X.Y-rcZ

Please note, an error to install the kernel does not fit the criteria of kernel-bug-exists-upstream.

Also, you don't need to apport-collect further unless specifically requested to do so.

It is most helpful that after testing of the latest upstream kernel is complete, you mark this report Status Confirmed.

Lastly, to keep this issue relevant to upstream, please continue to test the latest mainline kernel as it becomes available.

Thank you for your help.

[Nick Tasios (nicktasios)]

I have tested the v4.8-rc5 kernel, and the problem still exists.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Nick Tasios, as per http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/Laptops-and-netbooks/Lenovo-G-Series-laptops/G50-45-Notebook-Lenovo?tabName=Downloads&linkTrack=Mast:SubNav:Support:Drivers%20and%20Software|Drivers%20and%20Software&beta=false an update to your computer's buggy, insecure, and outdated BIOS is available (A2CN38WW). When you update to this following https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BIOSUpdate how does this improve the situation?

For more on BIOS updates and linux, please see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette .

Please note your current BIOS is already in the Bug Description, so posting this on the old BIOS would not be helpful.

Also, you don't have to create a new report.

It is most helpful that after the BIOS is updated, if the problem is still reproducible:
1) Please provide the output of the following terminal command (not perform an apport-collect):
sudo dmidecode -s bios-version && sudo dmidecode -s bios-release-date
2) Please make a comment specifically advising on how this improves the situation.
3) Please mark this report Status Confirmed.

If it's not reproducible, please mark this as Invalid.

Thank you for your help.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

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

[Brad (bbaker6212)]

This problem still exists. I think it's due to #1 some notebooks having an inverted mic channel and #2 Pulseaudio auto/dynamic-setting mic levels of both channels equal. So when you turn down one channel to allow it to work (workaround) Pulseaudio sets it back which disables the mic again. I don't know if this problem should be resolved in the Kernel or Pulseaudio. But I have seen an "inverted mic" is a common problem that many people have and struggle with getting their mic to work as a result.
I have the Lenovo G50-45 with updated BIOS:
A2CN45WW(V2.13)
Running the latest Manjaro distro w/kernel 4.14:
Linux G50 4.14.55-1-MANJARO
08/04/2016

[Brad (bbaker6212)]

Here is my alsa-info report: http://www.alsa-project.org/db/?f=be279d4be4647c2e25da163de10f080c327561d0

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

Brad,
Please try kernel parameter "snd-hda-intel.model=inv-dmic".

[Brad (bbaker6212)]

I cannot reproduce the problem now. Recording via arecord with channels locked in pavucontrol works OK. The problem seems to only still exist using Skype (my version is 8.29.0.50) which strangely is not allowing me to unlock the channels.

My Alsa-info: http://www.alsa-project.org/db/?f=9dd883825d6f6c832cfc36c9eb1eaafa347fc4d8

System:
  Host: G50 Kernel: 4.14.71-1-MANJARO x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 8.2.1
  Desktop: Xfce 4.12.4 Distro: Manjaro Linux
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: LENOVO product: 80E3 v: Lenovo G50-45
  serial: <filter>
  Mobo: LENOVO model: Lancer 5B2 v: 31900058 STD serial: <filter>
  UEFI: LENOVO v: A2CN45WW(V2.13) date: 08/04/2016
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT1 charge: 23.2 Wh condition: 23.2/31.7 Wh (73%)
  model: LENOVO PABAS0241231 status: Full
CPU:
  Topology: Quad Core model: AMD A6-6310 APU with AMD Radeon R4 Graphics
  bits: 64 type: MCP arch: Puma rev: 1 L2 cache: 2048 KiB
  flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 sse4a ssse3 svm
  bogomips: 14378
  Speed: 1648 MHz min/max: 1000/1800 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1681 2: 1505
  3: 1296 4: 1556
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Mullins [Radeon R4/R5 Graphics] driver: radeon v: kernel
  bus ID: 00:01.0
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.1 driver: ati,radeon unloaded: modesetting
  resolution: 1366x768~60Hz, 1920x1080~60Hz
  OpenGL: renderer: AMD MULLINS (DRM 2.50.0 4.14.71-1-MANJARO LLVM 6.0.1)
  v: 4.5 Mesa 18.2.1 direct render: Yes
Audio:
  Device-1: AMD Kabini HDMI/DP Audio driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
  bus ID: 00:01.1
  Device-2: AMD FCH Azalia driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:14.2
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k4.14.71-1-MANJARO
Network:
  Device-1: Realtek RTL8723BE PCIe Wireless Network Adapter
  driver: rtl8723be v: kernel port: 3000 bus ID: 01:00
  IF: wlp1s0 state: up mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
  driver: r8168 v: 8.045.08-NAPI port: 2000 bus ID: 02:00
  IF: enp2s0 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 465.76 GiB used: 103.86 GiB (22.3%)
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: SSD 850 EVO 500GB size: 465.76 GiB
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 144.89 GiB used: 103.55 GiB (71.5%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
  ID-2: swap-1 size: 6.96 GiB used: 260.8 MiB (3.7%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda6
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 51.2 C mobo: N/A gpu: radeon temp: 50 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Info:
  Processes: 227 Uptime: 2d 15h 08m Memory: 6.77 GiB used: 4.28 GiB (63.2%)
  Init: systemd Compilers: gcc: 8.2.1 Shell: bash v: 4.4.23 inxi: 3.0.21

[Brad (bbaker6212)]

I see a difference in the ALSA driver version being used now so maybe this problem was recently fixed?

# in alsa-info output

!!ALSA Version
!!------------

# Before
k4.14.55-1-MANJARO

# Now
k4.14.71-1-MANJARO

[Brad (bbaker6212)]

Any idea the problem with Skype I mentioned above?

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

Not really. Maybe Skype, maybe pulse audio...