I am still unable to get any sound into separate speakers. I was thinking of adding a sound card to my PC that would overcome the problem but completely befuddled by the complicated specs and prices of them. I also find tiny sound cards offered built into a usb plug. I really have no need for multi-channel sound output. 2 channel simple stereo output is perfectly adequate. I don't stream movies or fiddle with audio files. I just want to listen to the audio output of short video clips or news channels on the internet.
I have found loads of threads on various sites about Linux sound problems and have tried literally dozens of terminal commands. The ones that do anything at all simply bring up the list of installed software and nothing changes.
Can anyone recommend a simple (and cheap) solution to getting sound from my Linux desktop? The sound output was perfect for years with Windows 7 installed but now it just doesn't like Linux Mint.
Before you open the case of your 10 year old desktop and replace the sound card maybe try MX Linux Live from a usb thumb drive.
First see if you have sound.
OR> you could try {if you still have the Live medium of Linux Mint} and see if you have sound running that Live.
There is sound in the kernel so I don't understand why you don't have sound by now. Very puzzling situation I believe that you have going on here.
When I can't seem to find a fix I go to the Arch Linux trouble-shooting WiKi's.
Some of the usb sound cards are costly.
This article may help you.
www.vogons.org
This Sabrent USB Adapter on Newegg works with Linux and is low cost.
Buy SABRENT USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA) with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!
www.newegg.com
With external hardware like a usb wifi adapter or sound adapter you may have to blacklist the onboard adapter (module that the kernel is using due to what's installed on the mobo) that way the new adapter works.
Here's an article that teaches how to blacklist a kernel module.
The Linux kernel provides modular support to allow loading kernel modules during runtime. To prevent security issues, learn how to disable or blacklisting.
linux-audit.com
*Don't for to Reboot after you blacklist.
HTH