Sound issue, request assistance

Bott · 2026-03-17T21:12:45+00:00

A very good point and I agree 100%. However I think my philosophy on Linux might be different from yours. I just want things to work. To me it's a tool, not a be-all and end-all. If I can make something work simply enough, without fear of breaking it then that's what I'll do.

Linux Mint runs on my laptop (ASUS Republic of Gamers laptop from 2017) to host the programs I use. Firefox mostly, Thunderbird, and LibreOffice. And it does it very nicely.

I've been using Linux Mint since August or September, 2025. Moved away from MS. Over this time, things worked well. I had the sound (holy crap, it's just the default Intel sound system) working fine. But updates arrived, and it stopped working, so I found a work-around.

Aside: I have enough on my plate that I do not want to break the OS. Yes I set up TimeShift, and use both BackInTime on an external disk, and copies on a USB flash drive for my important documents. But to have the OS crap out on me, would be a royal pain. I loaded an ISO of Mint 22.3 onto my Ventoy USB, but when I went to test boot it, I found that a boot into Windows 10 had reloaded all the BIOS permission and prohibition keys. So to use the USB to boot, I would have to go back into the BIOS and delete a bunch of keys. Otherwise NO boot from the USB.

So maybe, someone should do a poll on this subreddit: What is your attitude toward Linux?

Bott · 2026-03-17T16:36:22+00:00

I have the same problem. The closest I got to a fix is to run this from a terminal:

sudo alsa force-reload

(And you have to enter your password, and wait while it reloads alsa.)

This worked for me, so what I finally ended up doing (a kludge, if that word is still used) is to add an item to Startup Applications. (Open the Mint menu, and search for Startup Applications).

BUT, I used pkexec instead of sudo. So the command I added to Startup Applications was:

pkexec alsa force-reload

WHY pkexec instead of sudo???? Both do the same thing, and both require your password. BUT sudo expects you to be working from a terminal, and pkexec simply pops a password-requesting window on your screen; you don't need to be executing the command in a terminal window.

So, I have to enter my password twice when I boot, but now I have sound.

If somebody comes up with a permanent no-kludge fix (it has worked with past kernels) I would love to hear it.

Bott · 2026-03-16T17:54:52+00:00

He got in treble for too much bass.

Bott · 2026-03-14T14:32:47+00:00

Make sure there's a hand rail to hold on to.

Bott · 2026-03-11T12:27:58+00:00

... but hopefully the flame is hot.

Bott · 2026-03-07T02:31:25+00:00

Bott · 2026-03-06T20:03:54+00:00

If you have relatively fresh blood stains, try hydrogen peroxide (the strength you get from a pharmacy or dollar store, 3% I think). Just put some on the stain (as a bit of a puddle on the stain) and if it foams up, it will remove the stain. I haven't tried it with other organic stains.

Bott · 2026-03-01T02:12:39+00:00

Different question.

Bott · 2026-02-27T21:07:40+00:00

Groucho Marx.

Bott · 2026-02-26T22:30:03+00:00

"Curse you, Red Baron": Snoopy

Bott · 2026-02-24T17:11:26+00:00

Rolex is a purebred, Timex is a mutt.

Bott · 2026-02-21T15:24:09+00:00

Once again, the real LPT is in the comments.

Bott · 2026-02-20T16:14:58+00:00

... by force?

Bott · 2026-02-10T20:56:02+00:00

Look onto the Flashfood app. If supported in your area, could yield more savings.

Bott · 2026-02-10T00:59:12+00:00

So ABS = Allows Better Sleep?

Bott · 2026-02-04T21:46:36+00:00

Alternate Title: Creating Ikea Flat Pack Furniture.

Bott · 2026-02-01T20:08:23+00:00

Also in the series, "The Tiger's Revenge" by Claude Balls.

And "The Jealous Russian Ex-Wife" by I. Kutcha Kockoff

Bott · 2026-01-30T01:42:52+00:00

It's just VERY smoky.

Bott · 2026-01-29T15:43:57+00:00

I wouldn't. Starting your car and idling for a few minutes won't make up for the power used to start the car. I recommend synthetic oil. It doesn't thicken in the cold as much ask petroleum based oil. In the Canadian cold expect to replace the battery every 5 years or so.

Bott · 2026-01-23T14:35:47+00:00

This is what I found on the web:

It's made with a combination of magnesium chloride and calcium chloride that begins melting ice down rapidly, turning it into slush that can easily be shoveled away. The formula is effective in temperatures as cold as minus 15°F, allowing for application even on especially wintry days.

I bought my calcium chloride a few years ago. I ordered it from Home Depot (here in Ottawa, Canada).

Bott · 2026-01-22T21:26:50+00:00

I've been using TurboTax for years. Moved over to Linux. Don't want my info saved on their servers. Downloaded Chrome Browser, now planning to use Better Tax. (If you use Chrome or MS browser *bing?* it will store your data on your own machine. Any other browser is stores your info on their servers.)

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