microphone does not work on Acer eMachines EM350 - HDA Intel, ALC272X Analog

Bug #639846 reported by hrts
64
This bug affects 11 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
Debian
New
Undecided
Unassigned
alsa-driver (Ubuntu)
Invalid
Undecided
Unassigned

Bug Description

Description: Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS
Release: 10.04

alsa-base:
  Instalat: 1.0.22.1+dfsg-0ubuntu3
  Candidează: 1.0.22.1+dfsg-0ubuntu3
  Tabela de versiuni:
 *** 1.0.22.1+dfsg-0ubuntu3 0
        500 http://ro.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/main Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Record sound with sound recorder or using Skype Test call

No sound recorded/no sound coming back from Skype test call

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: alsa-base 1.0.22.1+dfsg-0ubuntu3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-25.43-generic 2.6.32.21+drm33.7
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-25-generic i686
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
AlsaVersion:
 Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.23.
 Compiled on Sep 1 2010 for kernel 2.6.32-25-generic (SMP).
AplayDevices:
 **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC272X Analog [ALC272X Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Architecture: i386
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC272X Analog [ALC272X Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: ina 1401 F.... pulseaudio
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0x54200000 irq 29'
   Mixer name : 'Realtek ALC272X'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0272,10250349,00100001'
   Controls : 14
   Simple ctrls : 8
Date: Wed Sep 15 22:00:10 2010
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Netbook 10.04 "Lucid Lynx" - Release i386 (20100429.4)
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=ro_RO:ro:en
 LANG=ro_RO.utf8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: alsa-driver
dmi.bios.date: 05/27/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: Acer
dmi.bios.version: V1.03
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: eM350
dmi.board.vendor: Acer
dmi.board.version: V1.03
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
dmi.chassis.version: V1.03
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAcer:bvrV1.03:bd05/27/2010:svneMachines:pneM350:pvrV1.03:rvnAcer:rneM350:rvrV1.03:cvnAcer:ct10:cvrV1.03:
dmi.product.name: eM350
dmi.product.version: V1.03
dmi.sys.vendor: eMachines
---
AlsaVersion:
 Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.23.
 Compiled on Sep 15 2010 for kernel 2.6.32-24-generic (SMP).
AplayDevices:
 **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC272X Analog [ALC272X Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
Architecture: i386
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC272X Analog [ALC272X Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: ina 1255 F.... pulseaudio
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0x54200000 irq 29'
   Mixer name : 'Realtek ALC272X'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0272,10250349,00100001'
   Controls : 16
   Simple ctrls : 9
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Netbook 10.04 "Lucid Lynx" - Release i386 (20100429.4)
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
Package: alsa-base 1.0.22.1+dfsg-0ubuntu3
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=ro_RO:ro:en
 LANG=ro_RO.utf8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-24.42-generic 2.6.32.15+drm33.5
Tags: lucid ubuntu-une
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-24-generic i686
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin netdev plugdev sambashare
dmi.bios.date: 05/27/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: Acer
dmi.bios.version: V1.03
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: eM350
dmi.board.vendor: Acer
dmi.board.version: V1.03
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
dmi.chassis.version: V1.03
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAcer:bvrV1.03:bd05/27/2010:svneMachines:pneM350:pvrV1.03:rvnAcer:rneM350:rvrV1.03:cvnAcer:ct10:cvrV1.03:
dmi.product.name: eM350
dmi.product.version: V1.03
dmi.sys.vendor: eMachines

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote :
Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote :

Note: the netbook (Acer eMachine EM350) is brand new. I've installed Ubuntu using fresh ISO image downloaded today.
After install I did a full system update.
I also updated alsa generic
" sudo apt-get update
  sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-alsa-lucid-generic"
No changes - internal microphone does not work.
Speakers works fine.
External microphone connected on mic input does work.

Revision history for this message
Luke Yelavich (themuso) wrote : Re: [Bug 639846] Re: microphone does not work on Acer eMachines EM350 - HDA Intel, ALC272X Analog

The kernel you are currently running is from the proposed updates repository. Why you have that enabled I don't know, but the proposed updates repository is used for testing possible updates to be released into the updates repository for all to use. Unless you need to test a package from that repository, Isuggest you disable it from the software sources preferences.

To test a possible solution, I suggest you install the following packages:

linux-image-2.6.32-25-generic
linux-backports-modules-alsa-2.6.32-25-generic
linux-backports-modules-alsa-generic
linux-headers-2.6.32-25-generic
linux-headers-2.6.32-25

Also make sure you have the package linux-image-2.6.32-24-generic installed, so you have a tested and released kernel to reboot into.

Once done, I suggest you update your alsa drivers as outlined here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Audio/InstallingLinuxAlsaDriverModules. Note that the latest version of this package is available only for kernel 2.6.32-24-generic.

Please report back whether these alsa updates I suggested help resolve your issue.

 affects ubuntu/alsa-driver
 status incomplete

Changed in alsa-driver (Ubuntu):
status: New → Incomplete
Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote :

Hi. I've done the following steps:
Step 1: I've removed Lucid-Proposed software update sources; refresh cache for software update.
Step 2: Installed linux-image-2.6.32-24-generic & headers files & lbm

Now I am running 2.6.32-24 kernel.
I did again the sound tests - nothing new: microphone does not work in skype, neither in sound recorder.
I will continue with these steps:

Step 3: remove all 2.6.32-25 packages:
Remove: LBM Alsa 2.6.32-25-generic and LBM Alsa lucid generic
Removed 2.6.32-25-generic kernel & headers & lbm, checking that grub menu was updated, reboot in 2.6.32-24-generic

After next reboot:

Step 4: Using https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Audio/InstallingLinuxAlsaDriverModules I've updated the alsa driver

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote :

Step 4 detailed:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-audio-dev/ppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install linux-alsa-driver-modules-$(uname -r)

http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-audio-dev/ppa/ubuntu/ lucid/main linux-alsa-driver-modules-2.6.32-24-generic 2.6.32-24.201009150500 [2.136kB]

Reboot

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote :

After reboot the microphone works somehow - very bad recording. It looks like a very bad input level?
From now on I will figure it out using sound settings in System->Sound
Thank you!

PS: do tell me if I need to update the bug with a new information dump

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote : AlsaDevices.txt

apport information

tags: added: apport-collected
description: updated
Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote : BootDmesg.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote : Card0.Amixer.values.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote : Card0.Codecs.codec.0.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote : CurrentDmesg.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote : Dependencies.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote : PciMultimedia.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
hrts (hrtsgogu) wrote : ProcCpuinfo.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
teo (m-solaroli) wrote :

I have the same problem with em350 and ubuntu 10.04. Front microphone is not working while external is ok. I just try to install the realtek driver from http://www.realtek.com/ but nothing has changed. I still have no sound from the
front microphone.
The same thing happens with Ubuntu 10.10.

Revision history for this message
EliotBlennerhassett (eliot-blennerhassett) wrote :

Using hda_analyzer, I have found that the internal mic is a digital mic on hda codec NID 12.

I will work directly with alsa-devel on the details, or finding the appropriate model=X incantation (and update here when I have anything useful to report)

Revision history for this message
dyug (dyug) wrote :

this bug in pulseaudio or alsa

The internal microphone works, if channels of an input are unblocked, and cursors of channels cost one in the full loudness, the second in silence

found from russian forum http://ubuntologia.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=96&t=1934
On a picture:
 1. To press
 2. To disconnect

my acer Emachines 350 mic work

sorry my bad english

Revision history for this message
Graeme (gvj) wrote :

Thanks dyug,

Uncoupling the channels worked for me too.

Changed in alsa-driver (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
EliotBlennerhassett (eliot-blennerhassett) wrote :

To clarify previous posts. In alsamixer, when viewing capture controls, there are 4 sliders.
3 of them (Mic boost, capture 1, digital) appear to have no effect on the internal mic.

For me internal mic works best when Left channel of Capture control is set to zero, and right channel is set high.
(Use PgDown to zero both channels, then E key to raise only right channel, C key to lower it)

Revision history for this message
Amine Brikci-N (nh2amine) wrote :

Affects me too... and your tip didn't work for me, Eliot. I even tried to set left channel high and right to zero but it's the same problem.
---
Lubuntu 10.10 on emachines em350

Revision history for this message
EliotBlennerhassett (eliot-blennerhassett) wrote :

I believe that the root cause is the hardware microphone + codec generates antiphase (opposite polarity) signals on the left and right channels. If these channels are added together, as happens when the stereo is converted to mono for playback on internal speaker, or in some voip apps, the result is a zero signal.

This is also being discussed here: http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.linux.alsa.devel/79489

Steps to confirm this:
* Install audacity for viewing audio, alsa-utils for mixer "sudo aptitude install audacity alsa-utils"
* Run "alsamixer" in terminal
* press F4 to get capture controls. Select each in turn using left and right arrows, raise to maximum using PgUp.
* Run Sound Recorder app. Select "CD quality - Lossy (.ogg type)" to record a few seconds of speech. Save the file as eg "test.ogg" (can also do with audacity, but more complex instructions required...)
* Run "audacity test.ogg", to see the waveform. See left and right are (vertical) mirror images - may have to zoom in.

Revision history for this message
EliotBlennerhassett (eliot-blennerhassett) wrote :

More realistic gain settings: Capture gain maximum 100 (30dB), digital gain 50 (0dB).

Front mic boost only affects external mic.

Revision history for this message
Iqbal Sajid (iqbal-khi) wrote :

I had 2 problems with this notebook:
1- Mic did not worked, rather it worked but i have to shout in it then it plays back very low sound
2- Bluetooth reported that no bluetooth adapter found.

I tried many things, but did not found any drivers.

Finally i installed Window$ 7 $tarter, then installed all drivers that came with the notebook & that works perfect.
Mic worked best after installing drivers, before drivers it was not working even sound card was not working.

What is needed: Manufacturer (in this case) ACER must release drivers for Ubuntu.
even preinstalled OS Linpus Lite was unable to use Bluetooth & Mic.

Revision history for this message
Martin Simon (martin.simon) wrote :

I finally found a fix (that perfectly worked for me). It's quite simple:

1. Added 'options snd-hda-intel model=auto' to alsa-base.conf
2. Installed pavucontrol (Pulse Audio Control) and set mic input balance to the left channel
3. Updated to the latest alsa drivers as described in https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Audio/InstallingLinuxAlsaDriverModules.

Reboot. Enjoy :)

Revision history for this message
Martin Simon (martin.simon) wrote :

If adding 'options snd-hda-intel model=auto'to alsa-base.conf does not work, try:

-'options snd-hda-intel model=laptop'
or
-'options snd-hda-intel model=mobile'

Hope it helps.

Revision history for this message
João Miguel Lopes Moreira (jmlm-1970) wrote :

The only solution to make microphone work is to install linux-backports-modules-alsa-generic...

Just go to:

Menu / System / Administration / Synaptic Package Manager

And search and mark for installation:

linux-backports-modules-alsa-generic

tip: if you have multiple versions click on the first and read the description which should inform what name to install...

If after the reboot and mic mute is off, still does not work, just go to terminal and type:

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

and add or change the following:

options snd-hda-intel model=auto enable=yes

Then Ctrl+X, type Y to write and exit, reboot and mic will work.

Bye and have lots of fun with Ubuntu (the best).

Revision history for this message
Hugo (hugo-miras) wrote :

Hello, I am facing the same problems with 12.04.01 LTS

Thanks for your hints, but I am blocked when trying to find the "linux-backports-modules-alsa-generic" in Synaptic (no package can be found), although "ppa:ubuntu-audio-dev/ppa" successfully added according to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Audio/InstallingLinuxAlsaDriverModules

Is it due to the fact that my kernel is 3.2.0-29-generic? (Luke posted in 2010 "that the latest version of this package is available only for kernel 2.6.32-24-generic")

I am Ubuntu beginner, help would be very appreciated :-)
Thanks in advance!

Hugo

Revision history for this message
Marcus Tomlinson (marcustomlinson) wrote :

This release of Ubuntu is no longer receiving maintenance updates. If this is still an issue on a maintained version of Ubuntu please let us know.

Changed in alsa-driver (Ubuntu):
status: Confirmed → Incomplete
Revision history for this message
Marcus Tomlinson (marcustomlinson) wrote :

This issue has sat incomplete for more than 60 days now. I'm going to close it as invalid. Please feel free re-open if this is still an issue for you. Thank you.

Changed in alsa-driver (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Invalid
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