Errors starting up alsa

[Soumyadip Modak <soumyadip@softhome.net>]

I followed instructions from:

http://www.linuxorbit.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=541&page=1

to build alsa modules for my kernel 2.4.21-5-k7. I also edited the
config files as instructed. But when i /etc/init.d/alsa start the
following error message is shown:
Storing ALSA mixer settings ... failed
Shutting down ALSA (version 0.9.6): done.
Starting ALSA (version 0.9.6): intel8x0-failed failed

What should i do to rectify this problem ? 

I was going through the alsa intel 8x0 wiki, and a common complaint was
that the mp3 files played too fast. Since i haven't got alsa running as
yet, i can't check for myself, but i'd like to know possible remedies
should these reports be true. Any help would be appreciated
-- 
Soumyadip Modak <soumyadip@softhome.net>