Fix The Audio on The Dell Vostro A90

Even though the Dell Mini 9 and the Dell Vostro have identical components, the audio for the Vostro doesn't work out of the box like it does for the Mini 9.

In order to enable audio you need to add a line to your /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf file.
- In a terminal type:

sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf

- Then add this to the bottom of the alsa-base.conf file:

options snd-hda-intel model=dell

- Then reboot the machine for the changes to take effect.

Have a question or problem that this article doesn't cover? Ask our Ubuntu Mini 9 Google Group for help.

Fix Most Audio Problems: Remove PulseAudio

Many audio issues in Ubuntu can simply be solved by eliminating PulseAudio. The Mini 9's Skype problems are PulseAudio's fault.

PulseAudio is a sound server, a background process accepting sound input from one or more sources (processes or capture devices) and redirecting it to one or more sinks (sound cards, remote network PulseAudio servers, or other processes).

One of the goals of PulseAudio is to reroute all sound streams through it, including those from processes that attempt to directly access the hardware. What it really does is get in the way, delay sound, improperly fix and make audio in Linux a bigger mess. PulseAudio may have potential and offer some great audio features but for me it is not worth the headaches. I don't need advanced features and networked audio, I simply want to watch videos, listen to music and talk on Skype without problems.

To completely remove PulseAudio in a terminal type:

sudo apt-get purge pulseaudio

This will uninstall PulseAudio, delete the configuration files and uninstall it's dependencies; gstreamer-10-pulseaudio, libpulse-browse0, libpeexdsp1, pulseaudio-esound-compat, pulseaudio-module-udev, pulseaudio-module-x11, pulseaudio-utils, and rtkit.

Reboot your machine and enjoy working audio. Not having PulseAudio installed makes using Skype as easy as starting the program. You still need to turn on the mic and setup the correct audios devices.
- Select alsa for for all options in /system/preferences/sound
- If you need help or have issues refer to the Ubuntu Wiki page on PulseAudio.

If you ever want to go back to using PulseAudio you can reinstall it by typing in a terminal:

sudo apt-get install pulseaudio

Feel free to bash PulseAudio in the comments and let everyone know how your audio quality improved.

Have a question or problem that this article doesn't cover? Ask our Ubuntu Mini 9 Google Group for help.

Skype on The Dell Mini 9

Get Skype
You can download Skype for Linux directly from the Skype website or install it from the Medibuntu repository. I prefer and recommend, downloading it from Medibuntu. They have packaged Skype specifically for the newest versions of Ubuntu in both the i386 and lpia architectures. To install the Medibuntu repository follow the guide for yor specific version of Ubuntu, 8.10 or 9.04.

To install Skype after setting up the Medibuntu Repository,
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get install skype

Configuring The Dell Mini 9's Audio
Left click the volume control icon on the gnome panel and click the Volume Control... button.


This will bring up the HDA Intel (Alsa mixer) Volume Control Panel:

- Select Preferences

This will bring up the Volume Control Preferences

Make sure the:
- Master
- Internal Mic Boost
- Capture
- Input Boxes
are checked, then close the dialogue box

Go to the Recording Tab

- Turn your capture slider up and make sure the mic icon on the bottom of the dialogue box is not X'ed out. It is not necessary to turn the volume completely up, if you experiencing a lot of static or feedback try turning the volume down.

Go to the Options tab

-Set yor Input Source to the Front Mic

Configuring Audio In Skype
Go to the Options menu, under Sound Devices

Set:
- Sound In to HDA Intel (hw:Intel,0)
- Sound Out to HDA Intel (hw:Intel,0)
- Ringing to HDA Intel (hw:Intel,0)
Then:
- Uncheck the box that says "Allow Skype" to automatically adjust your mixer levels.
- Apply the settings


To Setup Video In Skype
Go to the Options menu, under Video Drivers

- Check the Enable Skype Video
- Check the Start my video automatically when I am in a call box.
- Select Integrated Webcam (/dev/video0)
Apply the settings.

Skype will now work with the Mini's internal mic and speakers. Configuring other devices to work with Skype is up to you. I haven't had much luck with my PS3 Bluetooth headset.

Have a question or problem that this article doesn't cover? Ask our Ubuntu Mini 9 Google Group for help.