strange behavior of sound chip AD1986A (Nvidia)

[steef <steefvanduin@zonnet.nl>]

hello list,

i installed etch with kernel 2.6.17-486 on an asus am2 motherboard with 
a sempron 1800 >>3200+ processor, a 32 bits_machine.

i tried out diverse kernels under etch but did not succeed to compile 
and install the nvidia (motherboard) graphic and sound drivers because 
they tell me they need a kernel compiled against gcc4.0 and the 
etch-kernels recognize the version gcc4.1. <  gcc version 4.1.2 20060901 
(prerelease) (Debian 4.1.1-13) >

under etch it seems impossible to circumvent this problem compiling and 
building these drivers [alsa, chip AD1986A] and the non-free 
nvidia-graphic drivers from their website, or, *am i wrong?

is there a way to tell my kernel to accept these drivers; to circumvent 
this problem?

the alsa hda-sound drivers from kernel 2.6.17-486 work; but go mute 
immediately when i use the volume-switch of the alsamixer.

any help is highly appreciated. the alsa-website told me nothing. 
updated as the nvidia driver page is till march this year.

thank you,

regards,

steef

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