No Sound on Alienware m17x r4 Ubuntu 12.04 64bit

Hi ,

copy-paste this command from here to your terminal and provide the info from the link

wget -O alsa-info.sh http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-info.sh && chmod +x ./alsa-info.sh && ./alsa-info.sh

Thanks

Thanks for the quick prompt Nick!

Here is the output.

***********

sudo wget -O alsa-info.sh http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-info.sh && chmod +x ./alsa-info.sh && ./alsa-info.sh

--2012-09-29 15:07:34-- http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-info.sh
Resolving www.alsa-project.org (www.alsa-project.org)... 77.48.224.243
Connecting to www.alsa-project.org (www.alsa-project.org)|77.48.224.243|:80... connected.
HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 302 Found
Location: http://git.alsa-project.org/?p=alsa-driver.git;a=blob_plain;hb=refs/heads/build;f=alsa/utils/alsa-info.sh [following]
--2012-09-29 15:07:35-- http://git.alsa-project.org/?p=alsa-driver.git;a=blob_plain;hb=refs/heads/build;f=alsa/utils/alsa-info.sh
Resolving git.alsa-project.org (git.alsa-project.org)... 77.48.224.243
Connecting to git.alsa-project.org (git.alsa-project.org)|77.48.224.243|:80... connected.
HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
Length: unspecified [application/x-sh]
Saving to: `alsa-info.sh'

    [ <=> ] 27,785 180K/s in 0.2s

2012-09-29 15:07:35 (180 KB/s) - `alsa-info.sh' saved [27785]

chmod: changing permissions of `./alsa-info.sh': Operation not permitted

*************

Looks like I am not able to save it to the desired file due to permission issue however I just changed the persmission of the file and ran it the script on its own and I believe the information you need has been uploaded to this link.

http://www.alsa-project.org/db/?f=afb16017f9c2e8820e84699fd868e6f8a52ac4a3

Details:

******************
!!################################
!!ALSA Information Script v 0.4.61
!!################################

!!Script ran on: Sat Sep 29 19:15:20 UTC 2012

!!Linux Distribution
!!------------------

Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS \n \l DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS"

!!DMI Information
!!---------------

Manufacturer: Alienware
Product Name: M17xR4
Product Version: A08
Firmware Version: A08

!!Kernel Information
!!------------------

Kernel release: 3.2.0-31-generic
Operating System: GNU/Linux
Architecture: x86_64
Processor: x86_64
SMP Enabled: Yes

!!ALSA Version
!!------------

Driver version: 1.0.24
Library version: 1.0.25
Utilities version: 1.0.25

!!Loaded ALSA modules
!!-------------------

!!Sound Servers on this system
!!----------------------------

Pulseaudio:
      Installed - Yes (/usr/bin/pulseaudio)
      Running - Yes

!!Soundcards recognised by ALSA
!!-----------------------------

--- no soundcards ---

!!PCI Soundcards installed in the system
!!--------------------------------------

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation Panther Point High Definition Audio Controller (rev 04)

!!Advanced information - PCI Vendor/Device/Subsystem ID's
!!-------------------------------------------------------

00:1b.0 0403: 8086:1e20 (rev 04)
 Subsystem: 1028:057b

!!Modprobe options (Sound related)
!!--------------------------------

snd-atiixp-modem: index=-2
snd-intel8x0m: index=-2
snd-via82xx-modem: index=-2
snd-usb-audio: index=-2
snd-usb-caiaq: index=-2
snd-usb-ua101: index=-2
snd-usb-us122l: index=-2
snd-usb-usx2y: index=-2
snd-cmipci: mpu_port=0x330 fm_port=0x388
snd-pcsp: index=-2
snd-usb-audio: index=-2
snd-hda-intel: model=alienware Alienware M17x

!!Loaded sound module options
!!---------------------------

!!ALSA Device nodes
!!-----------------

crw-rw---T 1 root audio 116, 1 Sep 29 15:04 /dev/snd/seq
crw-rw---T 1 root audio 116, 33 Sep 29 15:04 /dev/snd/timer

!!Aplay/Arecord output
!!--------------------

APLAY

aplay: device_list:252: no soundcards found...

ARECORD

arecord: device_list:252: no soundcards found...

!!Amixer output
!!-------------

!!Alsactl output
!!--------------

--startcollapse--
--endcollapse--

!!All Loaded Modules
!!------------------

Module
joydev
nvidia
nouveau
ttm
dell_wmi
sparse_keymap
rfcomm
bnep
parport_pc
ppdev
snd_hda_codec
arc4
snd_hwdep
snd_pcm
snd_seq_midi
snd_rawmidi
snd_seq_midi_event
ath9k
mac80211
ath9k_common
ath9k_hw
snd_seq
ath
snd_timer
snd_seq_device
psmouse
cfg80211
serio_raw
btusb
uvcvideo
videodev
bluetooth
v4l2_compat_ioctl32
snd
rts_pstor
i915
soundcore
snd_page_alloc
mei
drm_kms_helper
drm
mxm_wmi
i2c_algo_bit
wmi
video
mac_hid
lp
parport
atl1c
sdhci_pci
sdhci
usbhid
hid

!!ALSA/HDA dmesg
!!--------------

[ 3.370812] cfg80211: Ignoring regulatory request Set by core since the driver uses its own custom regulatory domain
[ 3.378580] snd_hda_intel: Unknown parameter `Alienware'
[ 3.378766] ieee80211 phy0: Selected rate control algorithm 'ath9k_rate_control'
--
[ 3.461814] type=1400 audit(1348945483.209:10): apparmor="STATUS" operation="profile_replace" name="/usr/sbin/cupsd" pid=941 comm="apparmor_parser"
[ 3.468459] snd_hda_intel: Unknown parameter `Alienware'
[ 3.487876] [drm] failed to retrieve link info, disabling eDP

OK ,

open a terminal and copy-paste from here bellow command

sudo sed -i 's/snd-hda-intel: model=alienware Alienware M17x/snd-hda-intel: model=auto/g' /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf

Above command is one command , one line.

Reboot your PC and let me know if your problem solved.

Thanks

Sorry ,

THIS IS THE CORRECT COMMAND

sudo sed -i 's/options snd-hda-intel model=alienware Alienware M17x/options snd-hda-intel model=auto/g' /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf

Above command is ONE command. Copy-paste it from here to your terminal . Thanks

Nick,

Thanks a lot! I did run the command and also open the alsa-base.conf and check if the replacement was done correctly and it did.

After I restarted the system, at the login prompt it gave the start sound (some brief african drum sound) however after login to desktop I could not hear any sound. so basically only on login prompt I hear a sound but not when the system is booted to desktop.

here is the alsa-base.conf file contents if you like to verify it. Thanks again.

*************

# 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-caiaq index=-2
options snd-usb-ua101 index=-2
options snd-usb-us122l index=-2
options snd-usb-usx2y 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
# Keep snd-usb-audio from beeing loaded as first soundcard
options snd-usb-audio index=-2
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel model=auto

Ok , try 2 more commands separately. After each command you apply , reboot and see what works .

1) sudo sed -i 's/options snd-hda-intel model=auto/options snd-hda-intel model=alienware/g' /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf

If above not work , then try this

2) sudo sed -i 's/options snd-hda-intel model=alienware/options snd-hda-intel model=generic/g' /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf

I am waiting for results.

Thanks

Hi Nick,

I tried both the command (for each command I rebooted the system) and checked however unfortunately it did not produce any sound. I did check the sound system and saw that after the 2nd command it brought up an option called "Analog output (built in Audio)" instead of the regular "Dummy Output".

I tried to do sound test but did not produce any sound.

Thanks for your time and sorry I could not reply promptly as I believe you were on top of it awaiting results.

OK , I think we are close. We don't want this "Dummy Output" of course.

If you have "Analog output(built in Audio)" option , then check out the alsamixer .

Open a terminal and write

alsamixer

check there if something is muted and Un-mute it.

Also run this command in terminal

sudo alsa force-reload

Thanks

Hi Nick,

I ran alsamixer on terminal and found that all sound settings were un-mute. Here are some details which might be helpful.

Card: HDA Intel PCH
chip: Intel ID 2806
 both PCM and idgital were 100% up.

then fired sudo alsa force-reload command.

Unloading ALSA sound driver modules: snd-hda-intel snd-hda-codec snd-hwdep snd-pcm snd-seq-midi snd-rawmidi snd-seq-midi-event snd-seq snd-timer snd-seq-device snd-page-alloc (failed: modules still loaded: snd-hda-intel snd-hda-codec snd-hwdep snd-pcm snd-timer snd-page-alloc).
Loading ALSA sound driver modules: snd-hda-intel snd-hda-codec snd-hwdep snd-pcm snd-seq-midi snd-rawmidi snd-seq-midi-event snd-seq snd-timer snd-seq-device snd-page-alloc.

Thanks for your help.

Do you still have a problem ?

Can you run again the alsa-info script and provide the results here ?

Thanks

Nick,

unfortunately, the sound still is not coming.

I am not sure about alsa-info script. Can you give me the exact command please. thanks!

Regards

Run again the command in answer #1

Hi Nick,

I was travelling all this while. I started my laptop and this time I heard sound and it was very rough and unpleasant and then suddenly there was no sound. I restarted several times since then but no sound. I ran the command you requested and the output has been uploaded at this link.

http://www.alsa-project.org/db/?f=5ea6c4d625af4e988f591f4d88db361f9dc10c47

Thanks!

Hi ,

can you test the Ubuntu 12.10 from a LiveCd/Usb and tell us if sound works there ? Ubuntu 12.10 has the latest alsa driver 1.0.25 .

If sound works there , I think you must open a bug , or maybe wait for someone with a better Idea.

Download Ubuntu 12.10 from here : http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/

Burn it to a CD or Usb and boot from there. Select "Try Ubuntu" (I mean not install) and see if sound works there.

Thanks

Thanks Nick.

I will try 12.10 however I have one question. Suppose 12.10 works can I just upgrade my system to 12.10 as in I would not need to partition, install all the tools/application and reload data again which was done for 12.04.

Thanks again, appreciate your help!

Thanks Nick! I will post as soon as I get 12.10 loaded.

Hi Nick,

You might like to check this link out. My card is from Creative and the model is sound blaster Recon 3di.

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTEwNTg

I am not sure but I think you are right on spot because as per article the driver should get supported by linux kernel 3.5 which Ubuntu 12.10 has but not 12.04 (if I am not wrong).

btw, I am still trying to install 12.10, it did not get fit into my cd-rom nor it worked out with USB, I am still trying alternate ways in 12.04 itself to make it work. I will keep you posted. Thanks again!

Regards

Hi Nick,

After installing 12.10, the sound issue has gone. Thank you for you support.

Let me know if you need some more information.

Regards

Thanks NikTh, that solved my question.

Hi ,
you have right about the article in Phoronix.
Glad you solved your problem , yes 12.10 uses 3.5 kernel (lot of changes from 3.2).

Thanks

hey Guys,

I am having the same issue (same mode -- alienware m17x r4). I just upgraded to Ubuntu 12.10 but the issue persists for me. I have tried changing the value in the alsa-base.conf file from alienware to auto to generic. If I use generic then I have no option in the sound preferences (or alsamixer) for headphones. If I use either of the other two, the option appears but the headphones still do nto work. Sound out of the regular speakers appears to be working as expected though.

help!

Hi Andrew,

For me it was working but after sometime while using the system the sound use to go off, I have to restart the system for regain it. I am not sure what the issue was but as of now I am not using the OS - I think those guys would still need to work on it as it is not reliable and is pretty new.

For headphones - I believe you need to go to sound settings and change from speakers to headphones, have you done that and checked?

Regards
Atul

Hi Atul,

Thanks for the reply. I did try manually selecting the device both in the sound settings but no luck. One thing I did notice is that there are actually two headphone jacks on this beast of a machine. One looks like a headset/mic combo (makes sense since this machine is really geared toward gamers) the other just the headphones. When you did have it working, do you recall which input jack you were using? neither of them works for me but I was just curious.

As a matter of interest I also have a pair of cordless creative blue tooth headphones. Those work flawlessly. It'll work for now but I would rather use my ear buds when I am on site rather than lug around the dongle and headphones. The computer is enough to carry around on its own with any additional bits and pieces! :)

Hi Andrew,

I chose the jack which had only headphones image on it.

Try this - its lame but I use to do it just to make it working...

1) select headphones option in sound settings and save the settings.
2) restart the system to Ubuntu and check if you are able hear through headphones.

Regards
Atul