5.0 beta 3: Audio issue

[loukingjr]

I forgot all about this…
Workaround for Linux guests: Long Standing Sound Issue

It was 5 years ago

If you don't feel like clicking the link:
create a sound.conf file in /etc/modprobe.d with these three lines…

Code: Select all

options snd-intel8x0 ac97_clock=48000
options snd slots=snd-intel8x0
alias snd-card-0 snd-intel8x0

restart guest

[Technologov]

Well, this is exactly what I was talking about, when I said about "GA", as a 3rd option. GA would configure AC'97 properly.

[pentagonik]

I forgot all about this…
Workaround for Linux guests: Long Standing Sound Issue

It was 5 years ago

If you don't feel like clicking the link:
create a sound.conf file in /etc/modprobe.d with these three lines…

Code: Select all

options snd-intel8x0 ac97_clock=48000
options snd slots=snd-intel8x0
alias snd-card-0 snd-intel8x0

restart guest

This is similar to what MichalN talked about ("whitelisting" our device to the kernel): Both solutions then will set the rate correctly, i.e. to a fixed rate which makes the output work again.

[loukingjr]

The next build will have a user-selectable workaround, but we'll have to think about how we can make the emulation behave better.

Apparently the workaround didn't make it.

Still an issue.

[michaln]

The next build will have a user-selectable workaround, but we'll have to think about how we can make the emulation behave better.

Apparently the workaround didn't make it.

I said "user-selectable", didn't I. So unless you manually selected the workaround, naturally it won't do anything.

We unfortunately can't change the default AC'97 codec because that would upset Windows guests

[loukingjr]

I said "user-selectable", didn't I. So unless you manually selected the workaround, naturally it won't do anything.

Well that makes sense. Except I didn't see the option.

We unfortunately can't change the default AC'97 codec because that would upset Windows guests

Yes, we wouldn't want the Windows guests to be upset.

[loukingjr]

(thinking to myself) perhaps they could include two AC'97 codecs to choose from, AC'97W and AC'97L. One for Windows and one for Linux.

[michaln]

Well that makes sense. Except I didn't see the option.

You never asked! You need to run 'VBoxManage setextradata <vm> VBoxInternal/Devices/ichac97/0/Config/Type AD1980' to change the AC'97 codec model. If it worked, you should see something like 'intel8x0: white list rate for 1028:0177 is 48000' in dmesg output.

Yes, we wouldn't want the Windows guests to be upset.

We wouldn't, because it can trigger re-activation, and users do not appreciate that.

If the alternate codec works well (and solves a widespread problem) then yes, it can be formally adopted and made default for Linux guests. At the moment it is experimental.

[loukingjr]

You never asked!

I guess I didn't

You need to run 'VBoxManage setextradata <vm> VBoxInternal/Devices/ichac97/0/Config/Type AD1980' to change the AC'97 codec model. If it worked, you should see something like 'intel8x0: white list rate for 1028:0177 is 48000' in dmesg output.

It looks like it might be as easy to add the sound.conf to each guest as run the command for each guest. But thanks for the info michaln.

[michaln]

It looks like it might be as easy to add the sound.conf to each guest as run the command for each guest.

Yes, if you have an existing VM then it's about the same amount of work. If you want to have e.g. something that works with a live CD, sound.conf is probably less helpful.

But both should have the same effect.

[michaln]

And speaking of audio, has anyone noticed at all that the volume control handling is very different for all the emulated audio devices in Beta 3?

[loukingjr]

I've noticed in Windows guests you have to move the volume slider to get audio started.

[michaln]

I've noticed in Windows guests you have to move the volume slider to get audio started.

Can you elaborate? For starters, are these guests using AC'97 or HDA, and is it something that needs to be done once or on every VM boot?

[loukingjr]

It only happens the first time you start the guest. Unfortunately I am juggling 4 machines, with 3 different hosts and multiple guests so I don't know the answer to the AC'97 vs HDA question. I'll try to pay closer attention next time. I do know I've replied to two users who thought their audio was broken. I'll look in a bit.

[michaln]

Actually just tell me which Windows version is the guest and I'll extrapolate (XP doesn't support HDA and Vista+ doesn't support our AC'97)