I've been following the linux HTPC recommendations RGB's put out recently, and build a box using the ASUS M2N68-VM recommended. Problem: I cannot figure out how to get an audio signal from the Toslink, although I am able to get an old set of PC speakers to work.

I've just updated the BIOS to the latest version.

I'm definitely new to Linux based OS, so simple things like the Terminal are still pretty new to me.

I had the OS up and running using a really old CPU and MoBo and got sound through digital coax to my receiver, but that MoBo gave up the ghost, so I'm trying to build w/ a new CPU and MoBo. Any insight or help is appreciated. System specs below:

OS: Ubuntu 8.10
HDD: STX 1.5 Tb (I know, testy firmware, but I have a vested interest in STX)
RAM: 1GB A Data DDR2 800
MoBo: ASUS M2N68-VM
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz
Display: Samsung DLP
Reciever: Onkyo 705

Other thoughts: I've updated the graphics drivers and installed all the recommended updates from Update manager. I've tried to completely re-install the OS after changing MoBo and CPU. Still no sound. I've verified that toslink cable works. Had old MoBo audio output through digi-cable SPDIF.
I've checked alsamixer and PulseAudio is listed for both Card and Chip. RGB's tried to help w/ some volume control panel recommendations, but no luck there.

What next????

Thanks.

Chad.
Thanks in advance for any help/recommendations/etc!

What app and source (mp3, DVD, cd, etc) are you using?

I've tried a CD and test feature in the sound preferences. w/ PC speakers I get the test tone, through SPDIF, nothing.

I'd disable pulseaudio and make sure spdif isn't muted

I've read that pulseaudio can disable other audio. How do I disable it? and where/how do I determine if SPDIF is disabled?

post the output of these two commands:
aplay -l && aplay -L

Also, to kill pulseaudio, do the following:
aptitude remove "pulseaudio-*" paman padevchooser paprefs pavucontrol pavumeter

temporarily you can do:


killall pulseaudio


to disable pulseaudio without uninstalling it.

You can use alsamixer

to unmute spdif. press the tab key to show all devices, and use to M key to toggle muting. spdif is most likely labeled IEC958

Are you using 64bit or 32bit Ubuntu?

You need to apply an alsa patch-

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=126841

http://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/tiwai/alsa/alsa-driver/

More info

http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?action=printpage;topic=7282.0

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/298465

I bought the non-HDMI version of this board, which uses the Realtek 662 audio chip. Your board uses the VIA VT1708B audio chip.

Thanks, all. I'll give these recommendations a shot when I get some time this evening.

I'm running 32bit version of Ubuntu 8.10.

I really appreciate the feedback, and I'll respond w/ results tonight (hopefully).

I'll start messing w/ updating kernels, alsa drivers, etc this evening. It's all pretty new to me, but looks like RGB linked to some pretty good resources that, when combined w/ this: http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/linux-tutorials-howtos-reference-material/64958-how-install-software-linux.html should get me most of the way there....
Thanks again.

Lots of good advice here already.

If you want to leave pulseaudio enabled, you can still get to your hardware mix/volume controls with:
alsamixer -Dhw

That will allow you to unmute your digital audio channel, if it's muted.

-Mark

I am glad this has been posted. I just completed a build with this mobo over the weekend and have been pulling my hair out with the audio. The rest of the build was a breeze. Dual monitor vga & projector, hdhomerun, mythtv. And this is my first HTPC and first time with linux (Ubuntu 8.10). THANK YOU linux community for all your help!!! I will try the suggestions here and let everyone know how it went. THANKS!!!!!

Thanks, all. I'll give these recommendations a shot when I get some time this evening.

I'm running 32bit version of Ubuntu 8.10.

I really appreciate the feedback, and I'll respond w/ results tonight (hopefully).

I'll start messing w/ updating kernels, alsa drivers, etc this evening. It's all pretty new to me, but looks like RGB linked to some pretty good resources that, when combined w/ this: http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/linux-tutorials-howtos-reference-material/64958-how-install-software-linux.html should get me most of the way there....
Thanks again.

Here is an alsa patch install HOWTO

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=455147

I am glad this has been posted. I just completed a build with this mobo over the weekend and have been pulling my hair out with the audio. The rest of the build was a breeze. Dual monitor vga & projector, hdhomerun, mythtv. And this is my first HTPC and first time with linux (Ubuntu 8.10). THANK YOU linux community for all your help!!! I will try the suggestions here and let everyone know how it went. THANKS!!!!!

We know and help because we've all been there already. I had fits getting spdif to work a couple of years ago - on my last couple of builds knowing what to look for has sped this up quite a bit. Best of luck to you!

Well, I'm definitely still working on this. I've managed to fininish configuring and compiling Kernel 2.6.28.7, but haven't figured out the install yet...I think I'm trying to read from too many sources and confusing myself.

some questions: would the 8.04 LTS version have the same issue w/ outputing digital audio from my MoBo? Are there decent, not too expensive MoBos out there that I don't have to do all these work-arounds to get digital audio out (either toslink or cable)?

Thanks.

Well, I'm definitely still working on this. I've managed to fininish configuring and compiling Kernel 2.6.28.7, but haven't figured out the install yet...I think I'm trying to read from too many sources and confusing myself.

some questions: would the 8.04 LTS version have the same issue w/ outputing digital audio from my MoBo? Are there decent, not too expensive MoBos out there that I don't have to do all these work-arounds to get digital audio out (either toslink or cable)?

Thanks.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile

This is the first time in a while that I've heard of someone having to compile the kernel to get audio working. Did you test spdif in window$ to make sure the port is ok?

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile

This is the first time in a while that I've heard of someone having to compile the kernel to get audio working. Did you test spdif in window$ to make sure the port is ok?

I have not tested spdif in window$, nor do I know how to ;)

But, from what I've found browsing, it's a common problem w/ this board.

However....I see from the link you included that I can use Synaptic to upgrade the kernel....anyone tried this out to install 2.6.28.7? Can synaptic also be used to install Alsa driver updates? Man...I feel like such a...beginner...

I think you'll have to compile alsa...there's prob a ubuntu howto somewhere.