Linux usually starts up for the first time without sound. I like sound so I had a root (parden the pun!) around for a quick solution as I haven't been brave enough to recompile the Kernel yet!

The magic file that you need is Xconfigurator (or if in X, from a menu select 'text-mode tool menu'. This will autodetect your soundcard (hopefully) and run a quick test sample of Linus Torvalds to prove that it's working. Once this is done the settings are saved and you should run a CD, sound program (Xmms, X11Amp, Mikmod etc) or game just to check that it's working. I tried Xgalaga which has nice explosions and it worked fine considering I've got a PCI sound card which Linux doesn't really like. However, mine couldn't play midi or CD. Bum.

Coagulus / Rob