ALSA doesn't work - "Unknown field ipc_sem"

[SoldierSvejk]

First, a Big Hello to all Fedoraphiles.

OK, here's my problem.

I've been using FC5 for about 3 months with no serious sound problems, however, a few days ago my "yum update" tool updated alsa-libs to the alsa-lib.i386 1.0.12-31.fc5.at version, after which (as I suppose) my problems started.

The trouble is I can't use alsa any longer and I get the following output from "artsd" command:

ALSA lib pcm_direct.c:1632:(snd_pcm_direct_parse_open_conf) Unknown field ipc_sem
Error while initializing the sound driver:
device: default can't be opened for playback (Invalid argument)

However, souncard detection works perfectly and I can play a test sound. I can also use other sound devices (oss etc.). Some important parameters of my box:
FC5 with KDE 3.5.4, 2.6.17-1.2174_FC5 kernel

lspci output:

00:10.0 Multimedia audio controller: C-Media Electronics Inc CM8738 (rev 10)
Subsystem: Holco Enterprise Co, Ltd/Shuttle Computer Unknown device a235
Control: I/O+ Mem- BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B-
Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B- ParErr- DEVSEL=medium >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR-
Latency: 32 (500ns min, 6000ns max)
Interrupt: pin A routed to IRQ 5
Region 0: I/O ports at dc00 [size=256]
Capabilities: [c0] Power Management version 2
Flags: PMEClk- DSI- D1+ D2+ AuxCurrent=0mA PME(D0-,D1-,D2-,D3hot-,D3cold-)
Status: D0 PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=0 PME-


/etc/asound.conf file:


#Generated by system-config-soundcard, do not edit by hand
#SWCONF
#DEV 0
defaults.pcm.card 0
defaults.pcm.device 0
defaults.ctl.card 0


/etc/modprobe.conf file (sound parts):


alias snd-card-0 snd-cmipci
options snd-card-0 index=0
options snd-cmipci index=0
remove snd-cmipci { /usr/sbin/alsactl store 0 >/dev/null 2>&1 || : ; }; /sbin/modprobe -r --ignore-remove snd-cmipci
alias snd-card-1 snd-mpu401
options snd-card-1 index=1
options snd-mpu401 index=1
remove snd-mpu401 { /usr/sbin/alsactl store 1 >/dev/null 2>&1 || : ; }; /sbin/modprobe -r --ignore-remove snd-mpu401


I've got alsa-tools, utils, driver, kernel module installed.

I tried using the options from alsa wiki for my card, however, with no success. Can anyone help me with that strange problem? Great thanks for all replies...

[prog99]

Your not alone, mines gone exactly the same way , same errors etc..

[daneel971]

It's due to the alsa ATRPMS packages. Use the rpms from FC.

[prog99]

Thanks, a quick search of the atrpms mailing list gave a solution.

cd /etc/alsa/pcm
mv dsnoop.conf.rpmnew dsnoop.conf
mv dmix.conf.rpmnew dmix.conf

Seems to be working now

[SoldierSvejk]

Thanks, a quick search of the atrpms mailing list gave a solution.

cd /etc/alsa/pcm
mv dsnoop.conf.rpmnew dsnoop.conf
mv dmix.conf.rpmnew dmix.conf

Seems to be working now

Great thanks!!! Works for me as well!!!

[netjrc]

Could somebody please paste here the differences between dsnoop.conf and dsnoop.conf.rpmnew. And the same for the the other file.

I have a similar problem, but I have a different card, I don't use atrpms and I want to see if and how I should adjust those files.

that wil be very helpful, thanks

[SoldierSvejk]

Could somebody please paste here the differences between dsnoop.conf and dsnoop.conf.rpmnew. And the same for the the other file.

I have a similar problem, but I have a different card, I don't use atrpms and I want to see if and how I should adjust those files.

that wil be very helpful, thanks

Here we go:


diff dsnoop.conf dsnoop.conf.rpmnew
21c21,24
< default S16
---
> default {
> @func refer
> name defaults.pcm.dmix_format
> }
25c28,31
< default 48000
---
> default {
> @func refer
> name defaults.pcm.dmix_rate
> }
28,31c34,41
< ipc_sem 816843324
< ipc_mem_direct 461437386
< ipc_mem_plug 514122977
< ipc_perm 0600
---
> ipc_key {
> @func refer
> name defaults.pcm.ipc_key
> }
> ipc_perm {
> @func refer
> name defaults.pcm.ipc_perm
> }


and


diff dmix.conf dmix.conf.rpmnew
21c21,24
< default S16
---
> default {
> @func refer
> name defaults.pcm.dmix_format
> }
25c28,31
< default 48000
---
> default {
> @func refer
> name defaults.pcm.dmix_rate
> }
28,31c34,41
< ipc_sem 1902429774
< ipc_mem_direct 1381934276
< ipc_mem_plug 81662302
< ipc_perm 0600
---
> ipc_key {
> @func refer
> name defaults.pcm.ipc_key
> }
> ipc_perm {
> @func refer
> name defaults.pcm.ipc_perm
> }


I'm terribly sorry for keeping you waiting for ages, but I didn't have access to my "problematic computer" (flying around the world with my iBook....).

Hope it helps.

[gundark]

Just would like to add that I too have the same problem and would to love some help.

[gking2224]

Thanks, a quick search of the atrpms mailing list gave a solution.

cd /etc/alsa/pcm
mv dsnoop.conf.rpmnew dsnoop.conf
mv dmix.conf.rpmnew dmix.conf

Seems to be working now
Thanks, that fixed it for me too. I could kiss you ;-)