No sound on Mageia 2 when logged in as root

[Ken-Bergen]

Hi,

I've recently installed Mageia 2 on my laptop. Even though, all updates that were released so far are installed as well, I have no sound when logged in as root. As recent [Resolved] posts for similar issues do not contain explanations on how to come to a resolution, I am unfortunately stuck.
Can you help me?

The details are as followed:

Code: Select all

[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# rpm -qav | grep -i ^alsa-* && rpm -qav | grep -i ^pulse
alsa-utils-1.0.25-4.mga2
alsa-plugins-pulse-config-1.0.25-3.mga2
pulseaudio-utils-2.0-1.mga2
pulseaudio-client-config-2.0-1.mga2
pulseaudio-module-x11-2.0-1.mga2
pulseaudio-2.0-1.mga2
pulseaudio-module-gconf-2.0-1.mga2
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# grep Codec /proc/asound/card*/codec*
Codec: Realtek ALC888
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# lspcidrake -v | fgrep -i AUDIO
snd_hda_intel   : Intel Corporation|N10/ICH 7 Family High Definition Audio Controller (vendor:8086 device:27d8 subv:1462 subd:104e) (rev: 02)
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# grep sound-slot /etc/modprobe.conf
alias sound-slot-0 snd_hda_intel
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# /sbin/lsmod
Module                  Size  Used by
snd_usb_audio         125670  0
snd_usbmidi_lib        24952  1 snd_usb_audio
snd_rawmidi            30569  1 snd_usbmidi_lib
media                  21380  2 videodev,uvcvideo
snd_seq_device         14497  1 snd_rawmidi
snd_hda_codec_realtek   145436  1
snd_hda_intel          33293  1
snd_hda_codec         126641  2 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hwdep              17659  2 snd_hda_codec,snd_usb_audio
snd_pcm               100893  3 snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_intel,snd_usb_audio
snd_page_alloc         18484  2 snd_pcm,snd_hda_intel
snd_timer              29532  1 snd_pcm
snd                    82658  12 snd_timer,snd_pcm,snd_hwdep,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_seq_device,snd_rawmidi,snd_usbmidi_lib,snd_usb_audio
soundcore              15047  1 snd
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# /sbin/chkconfig --list alsa

Note: This output shows SysV services only and does not include native
      systemd services. SysV configuration data might be overriden by native
      systemd configuration.

alsa            0:off   1:off   2:off   3:off   4:off   5:off   6:off   7:off
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# /sbin/chkconfig --list sound

Note: This output shows SysV services only and does not include native
      systemd services. SysV configuration data might be overriden by native
      systemd configuration.

sound           0:off   1:off   2:on    3:on    4:on    5:on    6:off   7:off
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# aumix -q
bash: aumix: command not found
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# /sbin/fuser -v /dev/dsp
Specified filename /dev/dsp does not exist.
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#

Thanks in advance!

Regards,

[macxi]

Hi Kmpfera,

Welcome to the Mageia Forum!

I just suggest you check the volume of the audio through alsamixer. Access a terminal (konsole) as root or common user and type alsamixer.



Press F5 or use the TAB key to access the options.

Then use the arrow keys to change the volume.

You can also check the sound volume of PULSEAUDIO by accessing the Application Launcher Menuu, and Sound & Video, and in "Pulseaudio Volume Control", and accessing the tab "Outoput Device". which can also be checked with the sound icon in the system tray:

[macxi]

The details are as followed:

[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# rpm -qav | grep -i ^alsa-* && rpm -qav | grep -i ^pulse
alsa-utils-1.0.25-4.mga2
alsa-plugins-pulse-config-1.0.25-3.mga2
pulseaudio-utils-2.0-1.mga2
pulseaudio-client-config-2.0-1.mga2
pulseaudio-module-x11-2.0-1.mga2
pulseaudio-2.0-1.mga2
pulseaudio-module-gconf-2.0-1.mga2
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#

Kmpfera,

My desktop runs the sound and uses the Realtek ALC883 codec, and have installed the package: pulseaudio-module-zeroconf-2.0-1.mga2, that is not included in your list.

[Ken-Bergen]

@macxi
The title of the original post by kmpfera is "No sound on Mageia 2 when logged in as root"
Which suggests that sound works as a normal user.
As I don't log into a graphical environment as root and still use "Mageia 1" I have no idea if this is normal behaviour for "Mageia 2".

[kmpfera]

@macxi

Thanks for the below hint:

I just suggest you check the volume of the audio through alsamixer. Access a terminal (konsole) as root or common user and type alsamixer.
Press F5 or use the TAB key to access the options.

Then use the arrow keys to change the volume.

You can also check the sound volume of PULSEAUDIO by accessing the Application Launcher Menuu, and Sound & Video, and in "Pulseaudio Volume Control", and accessing the tab "Outoput Device". which can also be checked with the sound icon in the system tray:

and

My desktop runs the sound and uses the Realtek ALC883 codec, and have installed the package: pulseaudio-module-zeroconf-2.0-1.mga2, that is not included in your list.

Unfortunately, it did not work so far:
First, I installed the pulseaudio-module-zeroconf-2.0.1.mga2.
Then, I tried to start the alsamixer and got the following feedback:

[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# alsamixer
Failed to create secure directory: Permission denied
ALSA lib pulse.c:243:(pulse_connect) PulseAudio: Unable to connect: Connection refused

Then I tried to start PulseAudio through the application launcher. But I got a pop-up saying: "Fatal Error: Unable to connect to PulseAudio: OK"

As Ken-Bergen mentioned, all this could be a "normal" behaviour for root users on Mageia 2, this especially so as the sound works when I login with a standard (non root) user. But even if it is "normal" I would still need a way to enable the sound for root.
Any ideas?

[kmpfera]

Any ideas on how to activate the sound for root?

[colin]

Hi,

Can you give some details about how you login as root. i.e. do you login as a regular user to a graphical desktop, then become root via su or sudo? Or do you login directly as root in a text terminal? Please give full and clear details.

Normally you would login as a normal user to a graphical desktop. This should automatically start an X11 module in PulseAudio which ensures access credentials (path and cookie) are published to the X11 root window (e.g. xprop -root | grep PULSE should show you some variables). This requires the pulseaudio-module-x11 package to be installed.

When you become root, you should be able to access the root X11 window, and thus have all the details to connect to the user's PulseAudio daemon and output sound via this.

There are various caveats here, but if you provide some more details about the session you're asking about, then I can advise in context.

[kmpfera]

Hi Colin,

Thanks for your info. I have tried your command "xprop -root | grep PULSE" but got no output. It looks simply as followed:
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]# xprop -root | grep PULSE
[root@Wind_U160dx_Linux ~]#

Here how I login as root and start X11:
1. I have enabled direct root logins by editing the file "kderc". (ENABLE ROOT LOGIN=true)
2. When starting my Laptop and the KDM Login Manager appears, I am simply entering username "root" and my password.
3. Pushing enter is then starting the X11 automatically and I am logged in as root.
PS: Yes, I am aware of the recommendations not to login as root and using X11.

Yours kindly,

[kmpfera]

Any ideas on how to activate the sound for root?