SDB:Alsa-update
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Situation
- Your audio has a problem that requires that you update your ALSA version.
- Your hardware is too new for the version of ALSA that comes with your openSUSE version.
Finding the kernel version
To determine your kernel version type in a console:
You may get an output like:
3.7.10-1.11-desktop
Pay attention to the suffix, which might be
- desktop
- pae
- default
To determine your openSUSE version and your system architecture, type in a console:
You may get an output like:
openSUSE 12.3 (x86_64) VERSION = 12.3 CODENAME = Dartmouth
Pay attention as to whether you have
- i586
- x86_64
Once you have the output, run the name of the kernel you have installed on your machine through zypper as follows
to get its full version number and find the applicable version.
For example with a 64-bit kernel type (that has desktop suffix) your command will be:
The output will look like:
Information for package kernel-desktop: Repository: openSUSE-12.3-Update Name: kernel-desktop Version: 3.7.10-1.16.1 Arch: x86_64 Vendor: openSUSE ...
openSUSE 12.1 and earlier updates
Versions of openSUSE from 12.1 and earlier are no longer supported.
openSUSE 12.2 and later user space updates
By saying user space we are referring to applications such as libsound2, alsa, alsa-oss, alsa-plugins, alsa-utils, etc ...
You should send 5 zypper commands (and use YaST) to update your alsa applications (the commands and YaST example are given below).
To send the zypper commands below, first open an xterm/konsole, type "su" (no quotes) and enter the root password when prompted to get root permissions. Then type the zypper commands as described below (note one of the commands is specific to your openSUSE kernel version). The given commands will:
- add a repository for alsa
- update your alsa
- remove the repository
Its important to send the two zypper command(s) to remove the repository, as the rpms in that repository are cutting edge, and once one's sound functions, its best not to keep updating alsa, as one of the updates could inadvertently break one's audio.
STEP 1 - Add repository
For updating the ALSA user-space packages, you can run the following zypper command in an xterm/konsole, or adding it using YaST (be careful to pick the one specific to your openSUSE version).
Version: 15.1 (User Space Updates)
Version: 15.2 (User Space Updates)
Version: Tumbleweed (User Space Updates)
Version: Factory (User Space Updates)
Hint: you may also add "Multimedia Apps" repository. For a Leap 15.1 it will be http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/multimedia:/apps/openSUSE_Leap_15.1/ .
STEP 2 - Installing applications with YaST
Follow the instructions/sketches below to update your alsa apps (such as libasound2, alsa, alsa-oss, alsa-plugins, alsa-utils, etc ...)
As illustrated in the LEFT picture above go to YaST > Software > Software Management, select "repositories", and select on the left the repository "multimedia". Ensure that the "version" tab is selected so you can see the versions, and then select for update all of your PC's alsa applications, including "libasound2". Do not add new alsa applications, just update ALL of your existing alsa apps. See the example on the left. Note this is JUST an example, as you may have different alsa apps installed.
Alternatively, as illustrated on the RIGHT image above you can use the YaST Software Manager search feature to locate the alsa applications to update. Do NOT forget to search for and update "libasound2".
STEP 3 - Remove repository
For ALL openSUSE versions, once that is complete, with the updates done, exit YaST, and remove the multimedia repository by opening a terminal and with root permissions type:
You can also remove it using YaST.
Here you can find a list of the ALSA versions packaged with some openSUSE versions
- openSUSE 12.2 comes with ALSA 1.0.25
- openSUSE 12.3 comes with ALSA 1.0.26
openSUSE kernel module/driver updates
In addition, to update ALSA driver modules, you have to send 3 zypper commands applicable to your openSUSE version AND to your specific kernel version (as described in the following section). This is SPECIFIC to your PCs kernel version and openSUSE version so there are many examples given.
You should know your kernel version already as you were shown how to determine that at the start of this guide.
Note the below is divided into two possible kernel versions:
- the stock kernel that comes with the liveCD, DVD and in the OSS repository - that section is called in this guide OSS Kernel Section
- the latest update kernel that is in the official update repository - that section is called in this guide UPDATED Kernel Section
Please go to the section that applies to your openSUSE.
OSS Kernel Section - IF you have NOT updated kernel with security fixes GO HERE to this OSS section
The commands in this section are for those users who have never updated to a security fixed kernel. I am calling this the "OSS repository". Check your kernel version as noted above to ensure you add the correct repository. IF your kernel has been updated, then go to *** UPDATE *** repository kernel module instead.
Be certain to do all steps (4, 5 and 6) below.
Knowing that you are in the right place (kernel not updated):
OSS Kernel Section - STEP 4 (Kernel not updated) - add OSS repository
Again, the commands to add the repository (zypper ar repository-oss multimedia) are for those users who have never updated to a security fixed kernel. IF your kernel has been updated, then go to STEP 4 (UPDATE) instead.
Version: 12.2
Version: 12.3
Version: Tumbleweed
Version: Factory
OSS Kernel Section - STEP 5 (Kernel not updated) - install alsa-driver-kmp package
Here are some examples based on the recent kernel versions:
Default Kernel
- openSUSE-12.2 - kernel 3.4.6-default i386 or x86_64 GNU/Linux (only this kernel for 12.2 OSS)
- openSUSE-12.3 - kernel 3.7.10-default i386 or x86_64 GNU/Linux (only this kernel for 12.3 OSS)
Send the command:
Desktop Kernel
- openSUSE-12.2 - kernel 3.4.6-desktop i386 or x86_64 GNU/Linux (only this kernel for 12.2 OSS)
- openSUSE-12.3 - kernel 3.7.10-desktop i386 or x86_64 GNU/Linux (only this kernel for 12.3 OSS)
Send the command
OSS Kernel Section - STEP 6 (Kernel not updated) - remove OSS repository
Now remove the repository. This is important. Send the command:
At this point the update is complete. Reboot your PC and test. However if instead you had previously updated your kernel, then you should start not in this section, but in the next kernel 'UPDATE' section.
UPDATED Kernel Section - IF you have updated your kernel GO HERE to this UPDATE section
This section is for those users who have kept their kernel up to date with the latest SuSE-GmbH security patched kernel. I am calling this the UPDATE repository. Check your kernel version as noted above to ensure you add the correct repository. Also check the repository to ensure it has rpms for your kernel version. If you have NOT updated your kernel, you will find a different kernel version and you instead belong in the above OSS section.
Be certain to do all steps (4, 5 and 6) below.
UPDATED Kernel Section STEP 4 - add UPDATE repository
The commands to add the repository ( zypper ar repository-update multimedia) are for those users who have kept their kernel up to date with the latest SuSE-GmbH security patched kernel.
Version: 12.2
Version: 12.3
Version: Tumbleweed
Version: Factory
UPDATED Kernel Section STEP 5 - install alsa-driver-kmp package
Send the command applicable to your openSUSE version and your kernel version. There are examples below. The example entry for 11.4 (Evergreen) may be a bit problematic.
Default Kernel
- openSUSE-12.2 - kernel 3.4.11-2.16.1-default i386 or x86_64 GNU/Linux (example kernel for 12.2 UPDATE)
- openSUSE-12.3 - kernel 3.7.10-1.11-default i386 or x86_64 GNU/Linux (example kernel for 12.3 UPDATE)
Send the command:
Desktop Kernel
- openSUSE-12.2 - kernel 3.4.11-2.16.1-desktop i386 or x86_64 GNU/Linux (example kernel for 12.2 UPDATE)
- openSUSE-12.3 - kernel 3.7.10-1.11-desktop i386 or x86_64 GNU/Linux (example kernel for 12.3 UPDATE)
Send the command:
UPDATED Kernel Section STEP 6 - remove UPDATE repository
Now remove the multimedia repository. This is important. Send the command:
At this point the update is complete. Reboot your PC and test.