Just to round off this saga for anyone who's been following it: I tried Ubuntu and what do you know: sound works! As an added bonus, so does the built-in wireless. So I shall have to install Ubuntu (well, at least is is more or less Debian ...) Anthony -- Anthony Campbell - ac@acampbell.org.uk Microsoft-free zone - Using Linux Gnu-Debian http://www.acampbell.org.uk (blog, book reviews, on-line books and sceptical articles)