Ubuntu
alsa-driver package

Ubuntu 10.04 LTS sound card problem with Lenovo G560 (brand new)

Asked by Kaustabh Ray

Firstly, a few notes:-
1. This problem has been reported before by others, but I could not solve it in my case.
2. This is the same problem which has been reported in askubuntu and launchpad, the links given below.
askubuntu.com/questions/100/sound-comes-out-of-my-speakers-even-when-headphones-are-plugged-in
bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/477226
3. I have read the above answers and solutions and tried to solve the issue for about a week, but failed.

THE ISSUE
The issue : Sound comes out of my speakers even when headphones are plugged in.
possibly related issue : My internal microphone works even when the headset microphone is plugged in.

THE STORY in chronological order
1. I bought a new Lenovo G560 laptop. It had no windows, only DOS. I bought it specifically for Ubuntu 10.04.

2. Every thing went fine except the issue explained above. I have been using linux for many years and rarely use Windows. I also use 6 Ubuntu machines either at workplace or Home. This particular laptop for for the home.

3. I tried to search for possible solutions on the net. Found the above two links promising and tried to do the steps they had suggested. But still I could not get it to work. The solutions were mainly two different lines
     a. changing the alsa config file in /etc/modprobe.d , but I got stuck and confused about patched etc.
     b using the alsa mixer to use only the specific speaker. Here the speakers are not even shown, though it shows two microphones.

Please guide me on how to get this problem solved.

Question information

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Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu alsa-driver Edit question
Assignee:
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Solved by:
Mark Rijckenberg
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#1

Hi ,
first check the alsamixer from a terminal and see if auto-mute is Enabled. It must be.

Post back the results of

=============================
cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
=============================

Thanks

Revision history for this message
Kaustabh Ray (raykaustabh) said : 		#2

1. How do I check the auto mute in alsamixer. The alsamixer opens up
but there is no way I could figure out if auto-mute is Enabled.
My terminal looks like the attached screenshot of the terminal.

2. I had changed the /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf to add the last 2
lines. the 'ls -l' output is given below. I have attached both the
conf files.

kray42@kray42-laptop:~$ ls -l /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf*
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2441 2012-08-09 20:16 /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2386 2010-01-29 05:31 /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf.old
kray42@kray42-laptop:~$
kray42@kray42-laptop:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
# autoloader aliases
install sound-slot-0 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-0
install sound-slot-1 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-1
install sound-slot-2 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-2
install sound-slot-3 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-3
install sound-slot-4 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-4
install sound-slot-5 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-5
install sound-slot-6 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-6
install sound-slot-7 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-7

# Cause optional modules to be loaded above generic modules
install snd /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd $CMDLINE_OPTS && {
/sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-ioctl32 ; /sbin/modprobe
--quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq ; }
#
# Workaround at bug #499695 (reverted in Ubuntu see LP #319505)
install snd-pcm /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-pcm $CMDLINE_OPTS
&& { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-pcm-oss ; : ; }
install snd-mixer /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-mixer
$CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist
snd-mixer-oss ; : ; }
install snd-seq /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-seq $CMDLINE_OPTS
&& { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-midi ;
/sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-oss ; : ; }
#
install snd-rawmidi /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-rawmidi
$CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-midi
; : ; }
# Cause optional modules to be loaded above sound card driver modules
install snd-emu10k1 /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-emu10k1
$CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist
snd-emu10k1-synth ; }
install snd-via82xx /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-via82xx
$CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq ; }

# Load saa7134-alsa instead of saa7134 (which gets dragged in by it anyway)
install saa7134 /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install saa7134 $CMDLINE_OPTS
&& { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist saa7134-alsa ; : ; }
# Prevent abnormal drivers from grabbing index 0
options bt87x index=-2
options cx88_alsa index=-2
options saa7134-alsa index=-2
options snd-atiixp-modem index=-2
options snd-intel8x0m index=-2
options snd-via82xx-modem index=-2
options snd-usb-audio index=-2
options snd-usb-us122l index=-2
options snd-usb-usx2y index=-2
options snd-usb-caiaq index=-2
# Ubuntu #62691, enable MPU for snd-cmipci
options snd-cmipci mpu_port=0x330 fm_port=0x388
# Keep snd-pcsp from being loaded as first soundcard
options snd-pcsp index=-2
# sound card model
options snd-hda-intel model=ideapad
kray42@kray42-laptop:~$

On Fri, Aug 10, 2012 at 5:46 PM, NikTh
<email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #205459 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/205459
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> NikTh requested more information:
> Hi ,
> first check the alsamixer from a terminal and see if auto-mute is Enabled. It must be.
>
> Post back the results of
>
> =============================
> cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
> =============================
>
> Thanks
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/205459
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Revision history for this message
Kaustabh Ray (raykaustabh) said : 		#3

1. How do I check the auto mute in alsamixer. The alsamixer opens up
but there is no way I could figure out if auto-mute is Enabled.
My terminal looks like the attached screenshot of the terminal.

2. I had changed the /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf to add the last 2
lines. the 'ls -l' output is given below. I have attached both the
conf files.

kray42@kray42-laptop:~$ ls -l /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf*
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2441 2012-08-09 20:16 /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2386 2010-01-29 05:31 /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf.old
kray42@kray42-laptop:~$
kray42@kray42-laptop:~$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
# autoloader aliases
install sound-slot-0 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-0
install sound-slot-1 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-1
install sound-slot-2 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-2
install sound-slot-3 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-3
install sound-slot-4 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-4
install sound-slot-5 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-5
install sound-slot-6 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-6
install sound-slot-7 /sbin/modprobe snd-card-7

# Cause optional modules to be loaded above generic modules
install snd /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd $CMDLINE_OPTS && {
/sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-ioctl32 ; /sbin/modprobe
--quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq ; }
#
# Workaround at bug #499695 (reverted in Ubuntu see LP #319505)
install snd-pcm /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-pcm $CMDLINE_OPTS
&& { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-pcm-oss ; : ; }
install snd-mixer /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-mixer
$CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist
snd-mixer-oss ; : ; }
install snd-seq /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-seq $CMDLINE_OPTS
&& { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-midi ;
/sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-oss ; : ; }
#
install snd-rawmidi /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-rawmidi
$CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq-midi
; : ; }
# Cause optional modules to be loaded above sound card driver modules
install snd-emu10k1 /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-emu10k1
$CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist
snd-emu10k1-synth ; }
install snd-via82xx /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-via82xx
$CMDLINE_OPTS && { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist snd-seq ; }

# Load saa7134-alsa instead of saa7134 (which gets dragged in by it anyway)
install saa7134 /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install saa7134 $CMDLINE_OPTS
&& { /sbin/modprobe --quiet --use-blacklist saa7134-alsa ; : ; }
# Prevent abnormal drivers from grabbing index 0
options bt87x index=-2
options cx88_alsa index=-2
options saa7134-alsa index=-2
options snd-atiixp-modem index=-2
options snd-intel8x0m index=-2
options snd-via82xx-modem index=-2
options snd-usb-audio index=-2
options snd-usb-us122l index=-2
options snd-usb-usx2y index=-2
options snd-usb-caiaq index=-2
# Ubuntu #62691, enable MPU for snd-cmipci
options snd-cmipci mpu_port=0x330 fm_port=0x388
# Keep snd-pcsp from being loaded as first soundcard
options snd-pcsp index=-2
# sound card model
options snd-hda-intel model=ideapad
kray42@kray42-laptop:~$

Revision history for this message
Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#4

I suggest testing sound output in an Ubuntu 12.04 LiveCD session. If sound works out-of-the-box in Ubuntu 12.04, then install 12.04 from the LiveCD / LiveUSB session.

If sound output is not working in Ubuntu 12.04 either, then please execute step 2, then send us the full terminal output from step 3
and step 4 from this procedure using Ubuntu 12.04:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SoundTroubleshootingProcedure

Revision history for this message
Kaustabh Ray (raykaustabh) said : 		#5

Dear Mark,
The sound does work properly in Ubuntu 12.04. Both the speakers and
microphone work as expected.
But I am reluctant to move to 12.04LTS because of two reasons:-
1. I upgraded to 12.04 in May, but found some problems with my
programs. On trying to resolve them, I found that there are quite a
few complains/bug reports on the net which suggested to me that 12.04
is still not stable. (I may be wrong)
2. I hate the new interface (I think it is called Unity). Can we use
the old 10.04 interface in 12.04? This is in case I reconsider point 1
above.

And thank you for resolving this problem. I least I know that there is
nothing (like a faulty jack) wrong with the Lenovo G560 laptop.

-Kaustabh

On Fri, Aug 10, 2012 at 10:15 PM, Mark Rijckenberg
<email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #205459 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/205459
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Mark Rijckenberg requested more information:
> I suggest testing sound output in an Ubuntu 12.04 LiveCD session. If
> sound works out-of-the-box in Ubuntu 12.04, then install 12.04 from the
> LiveCD / LiveUSB session.
>
> If sound output is not working in Ubuntu 12.04 either, then please execute step 2, then send us the full terminal output from step 3
> and step 4 from this procedure using Ubuntu 12.04:
>
> https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SoundTroubleshootingProcedure
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/205459
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Revision history for this message
Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#6

There is nothing that forces you to UPGRADE. You can simply back up your personal data and then do a clean install from scratch of 12.04. Clean installs give less issues than upgrades.

You can install any graphical interface you want in Ubuntu 12.04. Nobody is forcing you to use Unity. It is your choice.

You could also install a different distribution based on Ubuntu (like Kubuntu).

You can install KDE in Ubuntu using these instructions:

http://ubuntublog.org/how-to-install-kde4-in-ubuntu.htm

or install GNOME-shell in Ubuntu:

http://ubuntublog.org/how-to-install-gnome-shell-in-ubuntu.htm

or install Lubuntu 12.04

http://lubuntu.net/tags/lubuntu-1204

or .....

You can uninstall Unity with these instructions:

http://ubuntublog.org/how-to-remove-unity-desktop-in-ubuntu-12-04.htm

There are lots more desktops available....

Revision history for this message
Best Mark Rijckenberg (markrijckenberg) said : 		#7

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS is a long-term-support version and is meant to be stable. I don't have issues with it. YMMV.

Revision history for this message
Kaustabh Ray (raykaustabh) said : 		#8

Thanks for your solution and the tips in the earlier post.
I will shift to 12.04 and do what you suggested regarding the UI.

Revision history for this message
rva1945 (rva1945) said : 		#9

Hi:
I have the lenovo G560, I had the same problems, the sound always came out from the internal speakers. I added this line to the alsa-base.conf file:

options snd-hda-intel model=thinkpad enable=1 index=0

and now the sound comes out of the headsets if plugged, or from the internal speakers, so it's fine now...but the internal microphones are now dead (before editing alsa-base.conf file, they worked ok), only the external mike works if I plug it.

I tried with this one:

options snd-hda-intel model=ideapad

with the same result. So no more internal mike, now how do I fix this?

Thanks,
Robert