Need sound now!

[TShipp]

I received a computer for PCs for People so I'm a beginner to Linux. It took me days to use it because I had trouble installing the wi-fi extender! Then I learned I didn't have sound! I watched part of a YouTube video with no sound, talk about going back in time! Here's all the info I have:

System: Kernel: 5.4.0-193-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.4.0
Desktop: Cinnamon 5.2.7 wm: muffin dm: LightDM Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una
base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal
Machine: Type: Desktop System: ASUS product: All Series v: N/A serial: <filter>
Mobo: ASUSTeK model: Q87M-E v: Rev X.0x serial: <filter> BIOS: American Megatrends
v: 3801 date: 03/22/2019
CPU: Topology: Quad Core model: Intel Core i5-4570 bits: 64 type: MCP arch: Haswell rev: 3
L2 cache: 6144 KiB
flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 25543
Speed: 798 MHz min/max: 800/3600 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 798 2: 798 3: 798 4: 798
Graphics: Device-1: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core Processor Integrated Graphics
vendor: ASUSTeK driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:0412
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa
resolution: 1280x1024~60Hz
OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 4600 (HSW GT2) v: 4.5 Mesa 21.2.6
compat-v: 3.0 direct render: Yes
Audio: Device-1: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core Processor HD Audio vendor: ASUSTeK
driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:03.0 chip ID: 8086:0c0c
Device-2: Intel 8 Series/C220 Series High Definition Audio vendor: ASUSTeK
driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 chip ID: 8086:8c20
Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-193-generic
Network: Device-1: Intel Ethernet I217-LM vendor: ASUSTeK driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: f080
bus ID: 00:19.0 chip ID: 8086:153a
IF: eno1 state: down mac: <filter>
Device-2: Realtek RTL8188ETV Wireless LAN 802.11n Network Adapter type: USB
driver: r8188eu bus ID: 3-9:3 chip ID: 0bda:0179
IF: wlx54e4bd2aecb6 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives: Local Storage: total: 232.89 GiB used: 33.19 GiB (14.3%)
ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Western Digital model: WD2500KS-00MJB0 size: 232.89 GiB
speed: 3.0 Gb/s serial: <filter>
Partition: ID-1: / size: 226.62 GiB used: 33.19 GiB (14.6%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 29.8 C mobo: 27.8 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Repos: No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list
1: deb [arch=amd64] https: //dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-dbgsym-repositories.list
1: deb http: //ddebs.ubuntu.com focal main restricted universe multiverse
2: deb http: //ddebs.ubuntu.com focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com una main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
Info: Processes: 252 Uptime: 3h 03m Memory: 3.70 GiB used: 1.71 GiB (46.2%) Init: systemd
v: 245 runlevel: 5 target: graphical.target Compilers: gcc: 9.4.0 alt: 9
Client: Unknown python3.8 client inxi: 3.0.38

 

[Brickwizard]

Have you checked the sound settings in preferences mint menu, select settings scroll down right-hand list to sound and open]

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-193-generic

ALSA is low level, you need either pulseaudio or pipewire audio server.
Install either of these, depending on which one is the default for your distro, reboot and it should work.

 

[TShipp]

Have you checked the sound settings in preferences mint menu, select settings scroll down right-hand list to sound and open]

Thanks for your response! I was told the computer has internal speakers. I tried clicking on Sound & Video, nothing to set up there. Then I went into Settings and tried check-boxing the two audio options available separately: Cellulid and Rhythmbox, neither made a difference.

 

[TShipp]

ALSA is low level, you need either pulseaudio or pipewire audio server.
Install either of these, depending on which one is the default for your distro, reboot and it should work.

Thanks for your response! I've downloaded PulseAudio, how do I install it? Do I click Extract? I double-clicked and a bunch of files displayed.

 

[KGIII]

I was told the computer has internal speakers.

It may have an internal speaker but it'll be a piezo cell 'beep' speaker and not meant for regular audio. It's there so your computer can beep in the pre-boot stage to let you know there's a problem.

 

[MikeWalsh]

It may have an internal speaker but it'll be a piezo cell 'beep' speaker and not meant for regular audio. It's there so your computer can beep in the pre-boot stage to let you know there's a problem.

Yup; I concur. If it's a laptop, then yes; it WILL have internal audio speakers. Since according to your readout, it's a desktop, then all it will have internally is a tiny little speaker specifically for giving warning beeps when things go wrong.

For desktops, unfortunately, you have to buy and add a set of speakers separately.......OR, you could simply plump for headphones. It'll have a headphone jack, guaranteed.

The choice is yours......but it WILL incur additional cash outlay, I'm afraid. Unless you already have either of the items mentioned above...


Mike.

 

[osprey]

Thanks for your response! I've downloaded PulseAudio, how do I install it? Do I click Extract? I double-clicked and a bunch of files displayed.

How did you download pulseaudio?

Normally one would use the package manager which would install it without the user having to "extract" anything. Something like the following as root or using sudo:

apt install pulseaudio

If it's not installed, it's also worth installing the package: pavucontrol, using the apt package manager. The pavucontrol package provides a GUI to adjust and configure the sound for pulseaudio.

 

[Condobloke]

Linux Mint 20.3 Una

End of life ....
Ends in 8 months
(30 Apr 2025)
personally I would update the whole show to Linux Mint 21.3....now.

At least in that way you wont need to repeat some of the stuff you are doing now.

Have a read.

Upgrade to Linux Mint 21 and 21.1 from Mint 20.3 [Complete Guide]

A complete tutorial on - how to upgrade to Linux Mint 21 and 21.1 from Linux Mint 20.3 with the graphical method.

www.debugpoint.com

Most important....make sure all Updates are installed on your current system......and when it has finished the upgrade, be sure to run updates every day and install everything that is shown there

 

[KGIII]

If it's a laptop, then yes; it WILL have internal audio speakers

I should have included that in my comment. If it's a laptop there's no reason to specify an internal speaker, 'cause that's what laptops have (and have had for decades). So, I assumed (for what that's worth) a desktop system. After all, why specify that? That's like specifying your TV has internal speakers.

 

[GatorsFan]

First thing I would do is download a current copy of Linux Mint reformat your drive after you backup anything important, and install New OS,yours reaches End of Life in April 2025 which means no more updates next if it is a desktop like your spec indicate do you have external speakers? If your desktop has internal speaker they are inside your monitor there is no speakers inside the tower, there is a piezo speaker for beeps only - like these monitors - https://www.bestbuy.com/site/shop/monitor-with-speakers

 

[Brickwizard]

Just been looking at the inxi, and I concur it would not have onboard sound speakers, I suspect it is Asus Windows 8 office machine [Asus BM1AF] @TShipp does it look like this?

 

[Egzoset]

Oh my, mono squeker... If there's bluetooth you could as well invest in headphones and enjoy full bass without disturbing the neighbours if any. Try bone conduction, you'd be surprized how the bass feels!