Re: Detection of Hardware and Devices

[john gennard <joney@clara.co.uk>]

Michael Pobega wrote:
> john gennard wrote:
>
> > I have a problem getting sound to work in a Sarge install,
> > which is the subject of another thread. Having little
> > technical savvy, I often find things confusing or impossible
> > to comprehend.
> >
> > If possible, I'd like someone to help me here. Sarge gives
> > the problem and Kubuntu (Debian based) works fine.
> >
> > When I run '#lspci' on each I get the following results:-
> >
> > 1. Debian:
> >    0000:80:01:0    0403 Via Technologies, Inc. :
> >        Unknown device 3288 (rev 10)
> >
> > 2. Kubuntu:
> >    80:01:0   Audio Device: Via Technologies, Inc.
> >        Via High Definition Audio Controller (rev 10)
> >
> > Alsaconf doesn't 'see' the device in Sarge which could well
> > be my problem. Why, though, does 'lspci' give such differing
> > results - I assume each run gets its information from the
> > same source (the device/chip itself).
> >
> > Furthermore, my Motherboard Manual says the Audio is 'Realtek
> > ALC888 7.1 Channel audio CODEC with High Definition audio'.
> > Have Via used a Realtek chip and 'bundled' it with something of
> > its own?
> >
> > My main aim is to get audio to work without getting a separate
> > card, but I'd like to have some light shed on this confusion
> > (in my simple mind that is!).
> >
> > John.
>
> Have you tried Debian Etch? I know Debian Sarge is a bit older and has
> much worse hardware detection than Etch. When I used Sarge nothing
> worked for me, but an upgrade to Etch fixed everything. I'm not 100%
> sure if just changing your sources.list and running # apt-get update &&
> apt-get dist-upgrade would work though. I'd do a clean reinstall if
> possible.
I've got Sarge working without problem on three other boxes, in
fact I maintain that Debian is the reason I never significantly
increase my technical knowledge - it never freeezes or even
breaks down so by the time a new release comes out I've long lost
what little knowledge I had acquired.

I had intended to go to Etch shortly (and by upgrade). I've plenty
of space on this hard disk, so I might as well install Etch from
scratch alongside Sarge and see if I get the success you did.

Thanks.