alsa magically stopped working one day

yankees26 · 2007-01-04 00:49:41

It was working the day before. I boot up and sound doesn't work. I've booted up multiple times afterward and the problem still persists, so a reboot isn't the fix to use.

Whenever I run an audio app I get the following error:

ALSA lib pcm_hw.c:1357:(_snd_pcm_hw_open) Invalid value for card
ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:864:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to open slave

I am using iphitus' soundmixer package.

timtux · 2007-01-04 11:27:03

Try to run alsaconf as root and see if it helps

yankees26 · 2007-01-04 22:39:57

alsaconf did nothing. I still get the same errors.

Romashka · 2007-01-05 10:40:50

Check if your sound module is loaded.
Also, do you have 1 or 2 sound cards?

Zoranthus · 2007-01-05 23:51:50

Try some Live CD or other OS to rule out physical reason?
Last time I haad such weird errors from one day to the next, I just had to remove it and put it back in. Insulate contact.

yankees26 · 2007-01-06 02:35:00

@Romashka: I only have one, it is integrated. And the module is loaded.

@Zoranthus: It works on windows, so it isnt a physical thing.

Zoranthus · 2007-01-08 07:39:58

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-190357.html
This guy has just the same error error message and it's because he didn't add the user to the audio group.. so even though you probably already did that (since it was working before), this might be the right direction.
Maybe re-installing alsa-lib and alsa-utils, re-adding the user etc etc will help.

yankees26 · 2007-01-08 20:49:26

WOOT!!! Thanks Zoranthus. Turns out somehow my /etc/group was moved to /etc/group-. Its nice to have sound back.

Cagnulein · 2007-05-14 11:26:57

i've a similiar error:

ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:935:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to initialize sum ring buffer
snd_pcm_open: Invalid argument (default)
Failed to initialize plugin!
Failed to register plugin: /usr/lib/alsaplayer/output/libalsa_out.so
Failed to load output plugin "alsa". Trying defaults.
ALSA lib pcm_dmix.c:935:(snd_pcm_dmix_open) unable to initialize sum ring buffer
snd_pcm_open: Invalid argument (default)

the module is loaded, the user is in /etc/group , the soundcard works normally until yesterday...i've tried to remove .asoundrc and /etc/asound.conf but nothing change..
I can't explain why it tries to load dmin even if asound.conf is no more...

Thanks in advance

iphitus · 2007-05-14 11:44:41

dmix is now loaded by default on all configurations. asoundrc's are used to a more complete dmix setup.

Cagnulein · 2007-05-14 12:28:18

hah ok...but have you got any ideas about my problem?
Thanks

Cagnulein · 2007-05-15 20:57:45

mmm...maybe i've found something...
i've started trying to rmmod'ing the snd_cmipci module (my soundcard module) and reloading it...but when i try it gives me this

# rmmod snd_cmipci
ERROR: Module snd_cmipci is in use

so i've continued looking for some modules that are required by snd_cmipci but without success

# lsmod | grep snd
snd_pcm_oss            39072  0
snd_mixer_oss          14464  1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_seq_instr           6656  0
snd_ainstr_fm           2560  0
snd_cmipci             30368  1
snd_seq                46672  1 snd_seq_instr
gameport               11784  1 snd_cmipci
snd_pcm                68484  3 snd_pcm_oss,snd_cmipci
snd_page_alloc          7816  1 snd_pcm
snd_opl3_lib            8576  1 snd_cmipci
snd_timer              18820  3 snd_seq,snd_pcm,snd_opl3_lib
snd_hwdep               7044  1 snd_opl3_lib
snd_mpu401_uart         7040  1 snd_cmipci
snd_rawmidi            19104  1 snd_mpu401_uart
snd_seq_device          6796  3 snd_seq,snd_opl3_lib,snd_rawmidi
snd                    43492  12 snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_cmipci,snd_seq,snd_pcm,snd_opl3_lib,snd_timer,snd_hwdep,snd_mpu401_uart,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq_device
soundcore               6496  1 snd

finally, i've encountered the most huge problem...i was searching in process list, and suddendly i've found 2 artsd processes that i can't kill...

# ps ax | grep artsd
 4794 pts/6    D+     0:00 grep artsd
 9255 ?        SL     0:03 /opt/kde/bin/artsd -F 10 -S 4096 -s 60 -m artsmessage -l
19834 ?        S      0:00 /opt/kde/bin/artsd -F 10 -S 4096 -s 60 -m artsmessage -c

i think they are releated to my problem...

Now i have 2 chances:
- reboot (windows style)
- understand the problem (linux style)

anyone could help me?
Thanks

Cagnulein · 2007-05-15 21:14:42

solved by mOLOK:
kill -9 [pid of artsd]

thx mOLOK

mOLOk · 2007-05-15 21:24:02

I'm teh best!1!

Arch Linux

#1 2007-01-04 00:49:41

alsa magically stopped working one day

#2 2007-01-04 11:27:03

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#3 2007-01-04 22:39:57

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#4 2007-01-05 10:40:50

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#5 2007-01-05 23:51:50

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#6 2007-01-06 02:35:00

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#7 2007-01-08 07:39:58

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#8 2007-01-08 20:49:26

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#9 2007-05-14 11:26:57

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#10 2007-05-14 11:44:41

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#11 2007-05-14 12:28:18

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#12 2007-05-15 20:57:45

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#13 2007-05-15 21:14:42

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

#14 2007-05-15 21:24:02

Re: alsa magically stopped working one day

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