ALSA help!

[Douglas <mobias_one@comcast.net>]

I am runnung debian sarge on a really old HP OmniBook 4150.
soundcard is NeoMagic 256

lsmod yields:
snd_seq_dummy           2692  0
snd_seq                48368  1 snd_seq_dummy
snd_seq_device          7116  2 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq
snd_pcm_oss            48288  0
snd_mixer_oss          17472  1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_nm256              66368  0
snd_ac97_codec         82716  1 snd_nm256
snd_pcm                80360  3 snd_pcm_oss,snd_nm256,snd_ac97_codec
snd_timer              20644  2 snd_seq,snd_pcm
snd_page_alloc          7652  1 snd_pcm
snd                    47908  9 
snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq,snd_seq_device,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_nm256,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm,snd_timer


I just compiled 2.6.11.11.
I compiled in soundcore and nothign else for sound support.


I have always had issues gettign sound to work on this machine, but I 
decided to attack it in earnest.

I cannot seem to get it to work.  I have tried everything.

esd says /dev/dsp does not exist (it clearly does)

XMMS gives me the standard Be sure nothing is blocking your Soundcard.

arts gives me the basic cannot find device.

I am part of audio group.

Anyone have a process (ground up) that gets this workin?