No sound after reboot: output device not set automatically

[NP_complete]

I do have sound about 9 out of 10 times after reboot. Occasionally, though, I have to manually set the output device through GNOME applet, to bring the sound back. The applet gives two choices:

[garrison]

Check if you are actually using pulseaudio daemon, see 'Server Version' in 'pactl info' output.

Ususally card profile is restored by pulseaudio daemon automatically. This works even if you have automatic output switching to ports becoming available (e.g. if you plug something in, it would try switching to that port.)
This works while daemon starts too, because if you do nothing your ports are not changing and you get your remembered profile working.

But seldom alsa layer may delay indication of ports becoming avialable (e.g. if there is a delay in kernel driver probe routine) which can cause card profile change without any action from your side. In this case you can do two things with pulseaudio daemon: disable automatic switching, or lock card profile to the one you want (see Configuration tab in pavucontrol, there is a lock icon to the right of profile name.)