Sound Drivers for Linux (Old Sound Card)

[Poop-Loops]

So I just installed Kubuntu and have been trying to adapt to it. I'm getting there. But now I noticed that I have no sound. Duh, no sound drivers. After scouring The Internets for an hour or so now, I just can't seem to find anything I can use or understand.

I have an old Turtle Beach Riviera sound card. I have the CD for it... but I don't understand what they want me to do:

========================
STEPS TO BUILD DRIVER
================================================== ==============================

1. Backup the Config.in and Makefile in the sound driver directory
(/usr/src/linux/driver/sound).
The Configure.help provide help when you config driver in step
4, please backup the original one (/usr/src/linux/Document) and
copy this file.
The cmpci is document for the driver in detail, please copy it
to /usr/src/linux/Document/sound so you can refer it. Backup if
there is already one.

2. Extract the tar file by 'tar xvzf cmpci-xx.tar.gz' in the above
directory.

3. Change directory to /usr/src/linux

4. Config cm8338 driver by 'make menuconfig', 'make config' or
'make xconfig' command.

5. Please select Sound Card (CONFIG_SOUND=m) support and CMPCI
driver (CONFIG_SOUND_CMPCI=m) as modules. Resident mode not tested.
For driver option, please refer 'DRIVER PARAMETER'

6. Compile the kernel if necessary.

7. Compile the modules by 'make modules'.

8. Install the modules by 'make modules_install'


INSTALL DRIVER
================================================== ==============================

1. Before first time to run the driver, create module dependency by
'depmod -a'

2. To install the driver manually, enter 'modprobe cmpci'.

3. Driver installation for various distributions:

a. Slackware 4.0
Add the 'modprobe cmpci' command in your /etc/rc.d/rc.modules
file.so you can start the driver automatically each time booting.

b. Caldera OpenLinux 2.2
Use LISA to load the cmpci module.

c. RedHat 6.0 and S.u.S.E. 6.1
Add following command in /etc/conf.modules:

alias sound cmpci

also visit http://www.cmedia.com.tw for installation instruction.
======================================

I also looked over this FAQ:

http://www.monkeyblog.org/ubuntu/ins...ckage_manually

And I can't get the "make" command to work, so I don't know what to do.

[Josie Wales]

Welcome to Linux! I would suggest that you start by going to the Unofficial Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft) Starter Guide for some very good assistance. This is a fantastic resource for beginners. The advice works with all major versions of Ubuntu.

I would suggest that installing Automatix2 would be a good starting point. It will provide you with all of the additional repositories and key proprietary software (drivers, codecs, etc.) to enable most functions. Once Automatix2 is installed and you run Updates the sound driver may be installed for you. If not just continue using the guide to learn how to use the Synaptic Package Manager to possibly find the driver and enable your sound card. If that doesn't work it is easy to install Ndiswrapper using Synaptic and use the windows version of the sound card driver.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Poop-Loops]

Apparently the site for Automatix is down, so I'll have to see about using Ndiswrapper. Thanks for the help.

Additional Comment:

Okay, two more questions:

One, I installed Nvidia drivers via the terminal. I used the following commands:

sudo aptitude install nvidia-glx

sudo nvidia-xconfig

and then I rebooted. I found these instructions online somewhere. They worked. But I rebooted again after installing some packages via synaptic and now the drivers just seem to be gone. I used to be able to set my refresh rate on my monitor, but I can't anymore (stuck at 60hz), everything is like it was before I installed the drivers.

Second, I suddenly have two different OS options when I boot. I used to have Kubuntu and for some reason 2 Win XP options, and now I have 2 Kubuntu and 2 Win XP options. When trying to boot to the second Kubuntu option, it wouldn't load. Weird....

[Josie Wales]

You don't have to take the hard road from day one. You can learn how to use the command line latter. Start by taking advantage of an advanced script like Automatix2 or EasyUbuntu. The Automatix website is available. Once you are up and running you will have plenty of time to learn the ins and outs.

As a beginner it is always best to install software packages with the Synaptic Package Manager. This is because each distro has some minor differences in how they handle new software. The software packages found in the repositories have been prepared for installation in the appropriate distro. Automatix2 will update the package manager by adding around one dozen additional repositories to increase the amount of sofware that is at your fingertips and it will give you the option of automatically installing the newest Nvidia drivers.

---

When you update the kernel it gets added to the bootloader screen. The guide will show you how to edit the bootloader.

[Poop-Loops]

Huh. I was getting an error for the Automatix website earlier. I guess they fixed it.

Can you explain something, though? When I use Synaptic or Adept, they just "know" where to download stuff from. How in the hell does that work? I mean, I know I can manually add repositories, but does it work similar to Windows Update or something? It's just weird how everything I need is in one place instead of having to look for something every time I need it.

[-=bluebird=-]

According to your "howto" of the cd, you should try out:

modprobe -v snd-cmipci

and give us the output of "lspci" pls.

[Josie Wales]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Can you explain something, though? When I use Synaptic or Adept, they just "know" where to download stuff from. How in the hell does that work? I mean, I know I can manually add repositories, but does it work similar to Windows Update or something?

It is similar to Windows update, but better. The update manager is connected to the repositories. Because of the open source nature of Linux software the package manager can go beyond just updating the OS. All of your software also recieves upgrades, updates, and security definitions through the update manager. Very slick if you ask me.

[akirafan]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Huh. I was getting an error for the Automatix website earlier. I guess they fixed it.

Can you explain something, though? When I use Synaptic or Adept, they just "know" where to download stuff from. How in the hell does that work? I mean, I know I can manually add repositories, but does it work similar to Windows Update or something? It's just weird how everything I need is in one place instead of having to look for something every time I need it.

linux isnt windows, everything forget know you, then only linux you will you master. ahhhh.....

on the matter of nvidia driver download them from the nvidia website, and install them that way, youll need your kernel source and you kernel headers i believe also gcc

then

:~sudo ./nvidiadriveryadayada.bin