[9.10 regression] HDA power_save=10

[Matthew Murphy]

Binary package hint: pulseaudio

When using my notebook computer, a Compaq Presario C712nr, I have experienced an issue in the Karmic Koala 9.10 beta where signals from the motherboard of the computer are being sent to the speakers of the notebook when audio is not actively being transmitted. Also, when audio is not playing or when sound settings are changed (such as muting and un-muting the system), there is audible popping coming from the speakers that occurs periodically whenever the system is muted. Also, when sound is eventually used, the first audio as it reinitializes lags for .50 to 1.0 seconds into the transmission.

I am uncertain if this is indeed an issue related with Pulseaudio, but it seemed the most likely culprit I could discern having previously encountered this issue with another computer several releases back.

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: amd64
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: CONEXANT Analog [CONEXANT Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: matthew 1421 F.... pulseaudio
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0x52400000 irq 22'
   Mixer name : 'Conexant CX20549 (Venice)'
   Components : 'HDA:14f15045,103c30d9,00100100'
   Controls : 18
   Simple ctrls : 8
Date: Mon Oct 12 13:47:12 2009
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
Package: pulseaudio 1:0.9.19-0ubuntu1
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-13.44-generic
SourcePackage: pulseaudio
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-13-generic x86_64

[EAB (adair-boder)]

I am also having this exact same issue on a Thinkpad R61 with the following hardware:

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 03)
Codec: Conexant CX20549 (Venice)

It's as if the sound device is switching off when not in use and then switch back on when its needed. IMO this feature (if it is a feature) should be disabled and the audio device should remain active all the time.

[Rami Al-Rfou' (rmyeid)]

I think it is a feature to save power, the problem become apparent when you are using headset which results having sharp sounds on every switch on.

[Daniel T Chen (crimsun)]

Comment out the options snd-hda-intel line in /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
and reboot.

On Nov 12, 2009 6:36 AM, "Zeth" <email address hidden> wrote:

I am also having this exact same issue on a Thinkpad R61 with the
following hardware:

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio
Controller (rev 03)
Codec: Conexant CX20549 (Venice)

It's as if the sound device is switching off when not in use and then
switch back on when its needed. IMO this feature (if it is a feature)
should be disabled and the audio device should remain active all the
time.

-- PulseAudio channeling motherboard signal transmissions, popping audio,
lagging audio https://bu...

[EAB (adair-boder)]

Here is how I fixed the issue:

Edit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf as sudo, e.g. sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf and change the setting:

options snd-hda-intel power_save=10

to

options snd-hda-intel power_save=0

reboot and see if this solves the problem.