XPost: uk.comp.os.linux   
   From: ithinkiam@gmail.com   
      
   Paul  wrote:   
   > On 10/2/2022 12:02 PM, Chris wrote:   
   >> Chris  wrote:   
   >>   
   >> [correcting x-post]   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>> Weird one here. My FIL has a relatively new Dell which I set up Xubuntu on   
   >>> and the sound only works intermittently. When it works it works everywhere,   
   >>> when it doesn't nothing works. Whether it's local files or internet videos   
   >>> the pattern is consistent. The only exception is CDs. A physical CD will   
   >>> always play.   
   >>>   
   >>> There doesn't seem to be any pattern in when it will/won't work other than   
   >>> the CDs.   
   >>>   
   >>> It only has one audio device: the motherboard intel chip using the   
   >>> "snd_hda_intel" driver. The only output is a set of desktop speakers.   
   >>>   
   >>> My only hint at a problem is that inxi reports three sound servers:   
   >>>   
   >>>> inxi -SMA   
   >>> system:   
   >>> Host: Vostro Kernel: 5.15.0-48-generic x86_64 bits: 64 Deskto   
   >>> Distro: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)   
   >>> Machine:   
   >>> Type: Desktop System: Dell product: Vostro 3710 V: N/A   
   >>> serial:    
   >>> Mobo: Dell model: OKID6X v: A00 serial:    
   >>> V: 1.1.66 date: 06/22/2022   
   >>> Audio:   
   >>> Device-1: Intel driver: snd hda intel   
   >>> Sound Server-1: ALSA v: k5.15.0-48-generic running: yes   
   >>> Sound Server-2: PulseAudio v: 15.99.1 running: yes   
   >>> Sound Server-3: Pipewire v: 0.3.48 running: yes   
   >>>   
   >>> My suspicion is that the servers are conflicting and the applications are   
   >>> picking the wrong one randomly, but that's just a guess.   
   >>>   
   >>> Anyone able to help or point me in the right direction to diagnose the   
   >>> problem?   
   >>>   
   >>> Where would I switch off the two servers and keep only one? Which one is   
   >>> the preferred one of the three?   
   >>>   
   >   
   > Music playback   
   >   
   >    CD Analog output 4 pin (stereo) to mobo header (my IDE DVD has this)   
   >    DVD SPDIF 2 pin interface (stereo), impedance unknown, to mobo header ?   
   >    (Some optical drives have removed direct audio output entirely)   
   >   
   >    Playback via the data cable.   
      
   I'd be surprised. Even 15 years ago manufacturers didn't include a data   
   cable. CDs are almost always played through software nowadays.   
      
   > I would think all of these, still have an opportunity to go through   
   > the OS mixer and be adjusted by DSP equalization.   
      
   That's another weird thing, I forgot to mention, the volume UI shows the   
   sound levels responding to the music or video playing. So the sound is   
   working, just not being output to the speakers.   
      
   > *******   
   >   
   > I have all three sound servers, and no sign of this problem.   
   > My kernel is a bit behind your kernel.   
   >   
   > You can edit /etc/default/grub and enable the grub menu to appear   
   > at startup, update grub, reboot, select "Advanced" option below   
   > the "regular" boot option for that OS, then select a slightly older kernel.   
   > This will work as long as the software updater has not trashed   
   > all the old kernels.   
   >   
   > With the older kernel in play, then check whether the problem is   
   > resolved or not.   
   >   
   > My grub menu is already enabled, as the disk Ubuntu is on is a multiboot   
   > (has Mint on it).   
      
   Thanks for the response, Paul. I'm away now from my FILs so I'll try next   
   time.   
      
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