VMware Debian8 and speakup

[Don Raikes]

Having had a similar issue with kali 2.0 based on jesse, the things I found were:

1.  pulseaudio is not starting at boot.
I added the following line to /etc/rc.local:

/usr/bin/pulseaudio --system -D

Also I had to run modprobe Speakup=soft then start espeakup.

This got Speakup working for me.  It may be possible to add the modprobe to the /etc/modules file, and the espeakup command to /etc/rc.local. Haven't tried these options yet.
-----Original Message-----
From: wb9rsq at gmail.com [mailto:wb9rsq at gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2015 10:22 AM
To: speakup at linux-speakup.org
Subject: VMware Debian8 and speakup

I know from reading earlier threads that some mention of this problem has been made.
However since I wanted to get a fresh start on solving the problem I hope that a new message will keep it focused.
I first took a working VM of Debian Wheezy 32 bit and did an update, then upgrade.
After that I followed instructions on how to upgrade to Debian Jessie.
All seemed to go well.
However on the last reboot suddenly no speakup.
I checked with a sighted friend and the login screen was there and I could login but no speakup.
So I decided to start a new VM and I tried both Jesse 32 and 64 bit versions from the 8.1.0 iso dvd1.
Installer talked perfectly through the entire process.
First reboot, no speakup.
Login worked but still no speakup.
So since it is a VM I tried several more times with both versions changing things like desktop and various servers in the software selection area.
Nothing mattered.
No speakup after reboot to installed machine.
I am not even close to being able to compile or debug. I can't do more than follow a careful string of instructions.
Without any speech in the new VM I really can't do anything at all and sighted help is not usually available.
So what and how can I figure out what is wrong with speakup in a brand new VM.
Settings for the VM include 1024MB ram, standard VM scsi virtual controller, defaults for network and sound as well as display.
The VMware version is 11.2.x.
Since the exact same settings in my old Wheezy VM worked I have no idea what is going wrong.
I have however had problems now and then when building a new VM under Wheezy both 32 and 64 from the DVD iso images.
Changing a software selection seemed to fix it and I never pin-pointed which package was toasting speakup.
So bottom line, why is Debian 8.1.0 in a VM failing to have working speakup after install completes?
What info can I provide to help define the problem?
How can I fix it?
tnx
 
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