couldn't open mixer device /dev/sound/mixer

bdemore · n00b Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 67

Ok, this problem is probably so simple that it shouldn't even be posted but i can't seem to figure it out. I've finally got my system up and running( took me 1 month but I learned a ton) with gnome installed and working. I'm using it as a home samba server and don't need sound at this point. I don't have a soundcard installed but i have onboard sound through the motherboard. I want to disable the followinng annoying message that I see every time I log in to gnome: couldn't open mixer device /dev/sound/mixer. I did include sound support (module) when I compiled the kernel but I don't need it at this time. I also get an error about starting my screensaver because there's no such file or directory named "xscreensaver". That one I could choose to disable and it did not return. Any help for a struggling newbie would be appreciated. [/b]

Tjeerd · Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2002 11:15 pm Post subject: One step further

I got rid of the xscreensaver error message doing [# emerge xscreensaver] but no screensavers are currently working in my gnome desktop...

BonezTheGoon · Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2002 11:23 pm Post subject:

Have you tried turning off sounds in Gnome?

Regards,
BonezTheGoon

(I would give you directions but I don't use Gnome, anymore.)

bdemore · n00b Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 67

I can't find an option to turn the sound off. :cry:

_SkeLeToN_ · Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2002 12:47 am Post subject:

add your user to the audio group so they can access to /dev/sound/mixer

you can add it manually by editing /etc/group or with the command usermod.

bdemore · n00b Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 67

OK I added the users but still no help. Any other options?

hook · Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2002 6:15 am Post subject:

hmm.... how about [code] chmod 666 mixer [/code] ?
ok, i know it's a bit forced, but it might work
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bdemore · n00b Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 67

Could you walk me through that step by step?

hook · Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2002 6:38 am Post subject:

as root just type:
chmod 666 /dev/sound/mixer

that's all

you might also try:
chmod 666 /dev/sound/dsp

it might be connected with your problem :)
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bdemore · n00b Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 67

ok, tried that but got "no such device or directory"

hook · Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2002 6:57 am Post subject:

try:
chmod 666 /dev/dsp

instead :) ...maybe you have it there :)

did the bit with /dev/sound/mixer work?
_________________
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bdemore · n00b Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 67

The result: failed to get attributes of /(either command) / no such file or directory

hook · Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2002 7:11 am Post subject:

hmm.... maybe that's your problem ;)
have you ever tried to see if you have a dsp and mixer ?
...that may be the problem :)
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BonezTheGoon · Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2002 3:03 pm Post subject:

Uh Hook and _SkeLeTon_ might not have read the entire posting describing that you are not trying to get sound working. Those are all things to try if you actually have sound support enabled and functional. You basically have two ways of approaching an issue like this.

1) Either nicely inform Gnome that you don't want/need sound

or

2) Get sound working completely so that Gnome stops complaining.

So I'd say pick one, post which one it is and then maybe you will get more direct answers on what to do next.

Regards,
BonezTheGoon

Unixmonkey · n00b Joined: 18 Oct 2002 Posts: 23

this thread is taking a wrong turn, the poster said he doesn't have, nor need, sound support.

He just wants to turn off the popup error on logging into gnome.

I don't know the answer, but I imagine its something like:
'gnome-session --disable-sound' in his .xinitrc

someone help the man, please.
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bdemore · n00b Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 67

Exactly, I don't need the sound, just wan't to make the error go away.

bdemore · n00b Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 67

OK, OK all I needed to do was disable the volume applet and the error message is gone. Thanks for everyones help.

nalin · Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2002 6:22 am Post subject:

Out of curiousity here...
would linking /dev/sound_things to /dev/null work?

pjp · Administrator Joined: 16 Apr 2002 Posts: 20067

Jester's similar but different problem is here.
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Jester · Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2002 12:22 am Post subject:

Thanks. I guess I need to jump back on that problem...Up until now, I haven't really needed sound, but I'm kinda starting to miss it....

pjp · Administrator Joined: 16 Apr 2002 Posts: 20067

Missed it last time, moved from DE.
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