| 1 |
After configuring and compiling the new Linux kernel 2.6.31, my |
| 2 |
sound system and sound programs no longer functioned. I traced |
| 3 |
this to one configuration variable under the Alsa sound devices: |
| 4 |
|
| 5 |
SND_PCM_OSS_PLUGINS |
| 6 |
|
| 7 |
This variable represents a new option for the Alsa OSS API, and |
| 8 |
the default value seems to be "No." But I assumed that setting |
| 9 |
it to "Yes" would not make much difference, but it certainly did. |
| 10 |
|
| 11 |
I really don't know what this option is all about (unless one |
| 12 |
religiously follows all the minutiae of kernel development, Linux |
| 13 |
can be full of surprises.) The documentation says: |
| 14 |
|
| 15 |
" If you disable this option, the ALSA's OSS PCM API will not |
| 16 |
support conversion of channels, formats and rates. It will |
| 17 |
behave like most of new OSS/Free drivers in 2.4/2.6 kernels." |
| 18 |
|
| 19 |
So, apparently the improvement breaks all sound -- at least it |
| 20 |
did for me. |
| 21 |
|
| 22 |
If anyone has had a different experience, please report. The new |
| 23 |
option doesn't seem too thrilling. I'd rather do all such conversions |
| 24 |
using software in user space. |
| 25 |
|
| 26 |
Frank Peters |
Archives