Compaq c700, volume control

[clyphox]

Hi

I've got a Compaq C700 laptop, this uses an intel (ICH8) onboard sound HD audio chip.

00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 03)
Chip: Conexant CX20549 (Venice)

I've not been able to get the volume control to operate correctly on this (also with many other distro's/home made kernels)

I tried gentoo the otherday and to my delight I could control the volume of not just the inbuilt speakers but the external output.
Note: Well done gentoo!! Out of the box!

This was using the generic kernel: gentoo-sources however it does not work if I change kernel (gentoo-hardened, custom, etc..)
I only can control one volume (headphones =weak and sometimes no PCM control even)
I have also ensured that all of the sound section of my config's are identical to the gentoo-sources .config

I have modified modules.conf with the supported alsa options for this driver IE:

option snd_hda_ntel model=BLA

(BLA: being laptop/laptop-hp etc..etc..) and all thats happened is that I can control either the headphones of built-in volume but none allow me to control both independently.

I would just love to know:

1. why it works with the generic gentoo kernel (has it been patched?)
2. its to do with the integrated alsa driver in the kernel? ... if so why does it not work with 2.6.23.14?

[more info avail on request]

Thanks!
-David
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