A few more notes on my problem (which persists):
- This is a triple boot system with Win98se and Win2K, using the Win2K
boot loader. I'm aware of issues with sound and other things not
working right when initialized by Windows and rebooted to Linux, so
I've booted from dead power directly to Linux and the problem is
still there.
- I've stopped any and all processes that could be using the sound
devices and tried using aplay to play wav files to no avail. This
is from console with nothing X running (accept xfs), both from my
user and from root...didn't help.
- I've had the system held high over my head prepared to toss it out
the window, but it still refuses to produce sounds other than the
system beep! My wife played good-cop and stopped me from tossing
it. Still no joy!