frustrated

[David Bruzos]

Hi Glenn:
Like I told you before, I have never used Debian, so I really can not 
give you step by step instructions on what to do about this problem.  It 
could be that the kernel you are using does not have alsa support.  The 
2.4 kernels did not have alsa by default.  2.6 kernels have alsa support 
by default.  Maybe, if you try to use OSS instead of ALSA, it will work.
However, you lack the basic understanding about Linux and the way it 
works and that is part of your problem.  The stuff you know about 
drivers from Windows will not help much here.  It will probably create 
more problems, because it will cause you to do things that are not 
necesary.  Maybe, you should consider reading some stuff about Linux in  
general, before you start taking drastic decisions, like compiling the 
kernel, etc.
What I am saying is that the alsa system is not just something you 
install at the user level.  Your kernel must also support the alsa sound 
system for all of the user applications to work properly.  There is no 
such thing as, Debian holding your soundcard 	and alsa not beeing able 
to use it.  There could be conflicts between OSS and ALSA kernel 
modules, but that can be resolved.  Maybe, you should try to get a 2.6 
kernel, or try another distro.  Debian is very flexible, but it can be 
more confusing to the new user.  The price of flexibility is more  room 
for confusion.  Maybe, you should try Fedora Core 3 and later try Debian 
again when you know a little more.
I am not saying that compiling the kernel would not fix your problem.  I 
am just saying that there are much easier and manageable solutions out 
there.  Compiling the kernel requires a good understanding of your 
hardware and of the operating system in general.  It is not just the  
usual, ./configure/make/make install.  You have to configure hundreds of 
options and know the proper setting for each one.

There is plenty of info in the Internet about kernel compilation, so if 
you want to do it just to see how it is done, look there.  I had to 
compile my kernel when I first started using Linux, because there were 
some serious compatibility problems between the Fedora 2 kernel and my 
hardware.  It was not easy though.  I probably configured and tried to 
compile the kernel 50 times before I have a truely working setup.  On 
the flip side of that, once you do it and you understand what is 
happening, you will be able to resolve most kernel related problems with 
relative ease.  Now a days, I compile the kernel for each of my systems 
just for fun and to pick more optimized settings then the defaults.

Sorry about your problem.  I hope you will keep trying.

David Bruzos

On Fri, Dec 31, 2004 at 06:19:02PM -0600, Glenn at home wrote:
> Hello Lorenzo,
> I have done variences of the following from what you suggest:
> apt-get install alsa-modules-speakup-2.4.27
> apt-get install alsa -modules -speakup-2.4.27
> apt-get install alsa-modules-2.4.27
> and some other variences.
> But I always keep the first part the same:
> apt-get install alsa
> It cannot find that module
> 
> Glenn
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lorenzo Prince" <lorenzo at prince.homelinux.org>
> To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 5:58 PM
> Subject: Re: frustrated
> 
> 
> What kernel are you running?
> 
> If you are running a 2.4.x kernel, try:
> 
> apt-get install alsa-modules-<kernel-version>
> 
> replacing <kernel-version> with the appropriate version of your kernel. 
> Then do:
> 
> apt-get install alsa-base alsa-oss alsa-utils
> 
> and run:
> 
> alsaconf
> 
> to configure your sound card.
> 
> If you are running a 2.6.x kernel, skip the first step, as alsa is a part of 
> the
> 2.6 kernel.  So all you need to do is:
> 
> apt-get install alsa-base alsa-oss alsa-utils
> alsaconf
> 
> and follow the instructions presented by alsaconf.  Then you will have full 
> alsa
> support in Debian.
> 
> Happy New Year, and please don't give up on Linux.
> 
> PRINCE
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup