Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon) [SOLVED]

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DanielSch
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Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon) [SOLVED]

Post by DanielSch »

Hello Guys,

I recently set up the new Mint Box Mini 2 Pro, I'm very fond of it it's very nice. However one problem I can't fix is the audio output: I do get an output on the Line-Out, but it is almost not audible, like very distant, and of very poor quality. it's not the speakers, I tried it with different speakers that work fine with other devices.

inxi -F

Code: Select all

System:    Host: Mintbox Kernel: 4.15.0-38-generic x86_64 bits: 64
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.8.9  Distro: Linux Mint 19 Tara
Machine:   Device: desktop Mobo: Compulab model: fitlet2 v: 1.1 serial: N/A
           UEFI: American Megatrends v: FLT2.MBM2.0.40.01.00 date: 07/05/2018
CPU:       Quad core Intel Celeron J3455 (-MCP-) cache: 1024 KB
           clock speeds: max: 2300 MHz 1: 1822 MHz 2: 1679 MHz 3: 1863 MHz
           4: 1638 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Device 5a85
           Display Server: x11 (X.Org 1.19.6 )
           drivers: modesetting (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 500 (Broxton 2x6)
           version: 4.5 Mesa 18.0.5
Audio:     Card Intel Celeron N3350/Pentium N4200/Atom E3900 Series Audio Cluster
           driver: snd_hda_intel
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.15.0-38-generic
Network:   Card-1: Intel Wireless 8260 driver: iwlwifi
           IF: wlp1s0 state: up mac: b8:08:cf:a0:ce:ea
           Card-2: Intel I211 Gigabit Network Connection driver: igb
           IF: enp2s0 state: down mac: 00:01:c0:21:32:d9
           Card-3: Intel I211 Gigabit Network Connection driver: igb
           IF: eno1 state: down mac: 00:01:c0:21:32:da
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 126.7GB (15.7% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: M2SCF size: 126.7GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 117G used: 19G (17%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 50.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 213 Uptime: 12 min Memory: 1133.5/7799.6MB
           Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.56 
I did this Sound Troubleshooting Procedure https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Sound ... gProcedure

until Step 3, now I got this ALSA-Information: http://www.alsa-project.org/db/?f=a388d ... 16e91d56b4

I noticed that Library Version is empty:

Code: Select all

!!ALSA Version
!!------------

Driver version:     k4.15.0-38-generic
Library version:    
Utilities version:  1.1.3
now I got no idea if that means anything.

would be very grateful if you had some advice :-)

many thanks!
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
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MrEen
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

Hi DanielSch.

My first suggestion is to run alsamixer in the terminal. You may have to press F6 and select the appropriate card so that ALC1150 shows as the Chip in the upper left corner of the window. Make sure every column has a decent level and is not muted (muted will show MM at the bottom of the column.)

Use left and right arrow keys to select the columns, up and down arrows to raise and lower levels, and the m key to toggle mute/unmute.

Be aware that there can be more options hidden off to the right side of the screen, so keep hitting the right arrow key to make sure you've checked everything.

If that didn't help, start a song or video and run pacmd list-sinks in the terminal and paste the output back here.

Good luck.
DanielSch
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by DanielSch »

Hey MrEen,

thanks a lot for your suggestions!

the channels in alsamixer are all unmuted and at a good level, except for the S/PDIF channels, but these I cannot turn on.
still not hearing the sound.

alsamixer 1.png

also, in sound settings / device settings, the output profile reads "Analog Stereo Input", but I don't have any other options to choose.
sound 1.png

anyhow, heres the output from pacmd list-sinks:

Code: Select all

1 sink(s) available.
  * index: 0
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_0e.0.iec958-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: RUNNING
	suspend cause: 
	priority: 9038
	volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	        balance 0,00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 78,53 ms
	max request: 16 KiB
	max rewind: 64 KiB
	monitor source: 0
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 1
	linked by: 1
	configured latency: 90,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 341,33 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_0e.0>
	module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "ALC1150 Digital"
		alsa.id = "ALC1150 Digital"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "1"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0x7ffff00000 irq 139"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:0e.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:0e.0/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "5a98"
		device.product.name = "Celeron N3350/Pentium N4200/Atom E3900 Series Audio Cluster"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "iec958:0"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "32768"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "iec958-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Stereo (IEC958)"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Digital Stereo (IEC958)"
		alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek ALC1150"
		alsa.components = "HDA:10ec0900,10ec0900,00100001 HDA:8086280a,80860101,00100000"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		iec958-stereo-output: Digital Output (S/PDIF) (priority 0, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				
	active port: <iec958-stereo-output>
thanks!
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

Okay. I don't know enough about the Mint Box to know what should be available, but we can try this.

Install and run PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol) and go to the Configuration tab. You should be able to set one of the Profiles to Analog Stereo Duplex (or Analog Mono Input + Analog Stereo Output.)

Once that change is made I'm hoping the sound will work properly right away. If I remember correctly, there's only a single port for audio on the Mint Box, excluding HDMI, correct?
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by DanielSch »

still no sound.

well, theres the HDMI port, the line in and the line out.

interestingly, pavucontrol tells "unplugged" even though the speakers are plugged in.
pavu1.png

however, volume control does show a signal (the green bar moving) when playing music.
pavu2.png
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

I know this will sound stupid, but try plugging into the Line In port if there is one. Also, before you try, turn down the volume a little bit just to be safe.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by DanielSch »

nope. nothing.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

All right. Reverse that change. Can you go back to alsamixer and report what other items appear when you press F6 please.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by DanielSch »

pressing F6 in alsamixer gives me to select:

- (default)
0 HDA Intel PCH
enter device name...
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

Damn. This is one sneaky little bugger.

With the unplugged settings still set in pavucontrol, once again start a song or video and run pacmd list-sinks and paste the results back here.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by DanielSch »

indeed. however, appreciating your effort..

Code: Select all

1 sink(s) available.
  * index: 6
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_0e.0.analog-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: RUNNING
	suspend cause: 
	priority: 9039
	volume: front-left: 54302 /  83% / -4,90 dB,   front-right: 54302 /  83% / -4,90 dB
	        balance 0,00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0,00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 35,96 ms
	max request: 6 KiB
	max rewind: 64 KiB
	monitor source: 8
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 1
	linked by: 3
	configured latency: 40,00 ms; range is 0,50 .. 371,52 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_0e.0>
	module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "ALC1150 Analog"
		alsa.id = "ALC1150 Analog"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0x7ffff00000 irq 139"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:0e.0"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:0e.0/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "5a98"
		device.product.name = "Celeron N3350/Pentium N4200/Atom E3900 Series Audio Cluster"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "front:0"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "32768"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo"
		alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek ALC1150"
		alsa.components = "HDA:10ec0900,10ec0900,00100001 HDA:8086280a,80860101,00100000"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		analog-output-lineout: Line Out (priority 9900, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (priority 9000, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones"
	active port: <analog-output-lineout>
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

I don't have high hopes for this, but I am running out of ideas.

In the terminal, type xed admin:///etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf and when the file opens, scroll to the bottom and add this line:

Code: Select all

options snd-hda-intel model=dual-codecs
Save the file, reboot, then test your sound.

If that doesn't help, let's see the output of dmesg | grep snd please.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by DanielSch »

seems we're doing extensive surgery here..

no success so far.

dmesg | grep snd

Code: Select all

[    5.809125] snd_hda_intel 0000:00:0e.0: bound 0000:00:02.0 (ops i915_audio_component_bind_ops [i915])
[    5.864462] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0: ALC1150: SKU not ready 0x00000000
[    5.865387] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0: autoconfig for ALC1150: line_outs=4 (0x14/0x15/0x16/0x17/0x0) type:line
[    5.865390] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    speaker_outs=0 (0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[    5.865392] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    hp_outs=1 (0x1b/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[    5.865394] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    mono: mono_out=0x0
[    5.865396] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    dig-out=0x1e/0x0
[    5.865397] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    inputs:
[    5.865400] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:      Front Mic=0x19
[    5.865402] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:      Rear Mic=0x18
[    5.865404] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:      Line=0x1a
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

After undoing your change to alsa-base.conf, skip to redlined's post.

At the moment, checking the BIOS to see if there's anything related or reinstalling the operating system are the only things I can of. I'll keep looking for other possibilities though.

Oh, as it didn't work, undo that change you made to alsa-base.conf.

And one other thing in case you're like me. Instead of a reboot, try a full shutdown and see if that makes any difference.
Last edited by MrEen on Wed Nov 14, 2018 5:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

Just had another idea.

What's the output of running amixer in the terminal?

Scratch that, it's in your alsainfo output.

Let's see if this gets that box into gear:

Code: Select all

amixer sset Headphone unmute 75%
I'm suspecting this might make things work. As there's only one audio output on the box, and we already saw that Line is enabled in alsamixer, I'm guessing the Headphone being 0 in your alsainfo output is what has been causing this issue.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by redlined »

I noticed this thread yesterday then while searching for another issue a forum member is having with an MBM2 device I came across this thread in fit-PC forums and thought it may help with the troubleshooting of this issue:
Mintbox Mini 2 line out/S/PDIF not working

Hope this helps!
(I want one of these tiny computers! eagerly awaiting the seasonal sales :mrgreen:
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by MrEen »

Great find, redlined!

My google-fu let me down yesterday when I tried to find something like that.

@DanielSch

To run hdajackretask you first need to install alsa-tools-gui then just follow jcplemons's post (third overall) from redlined's link. When you're using hdajackretask, you make the changes, then click on Apply now. Only AFTER your sound is working, then click on Install boot override. You should be fine after that.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon)

Post by DanielSch »

I tried to reassign the audiojacks with hdajackretask, it didn't help.

then I followed this advice by Arourdilla in that thread http://www.fit-pc.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... und#p21337

and... here we go that's the solution!!

I had changed in the BIOS the OS from (standard setting) Windows to Linux, in an attempt to fix the issue with not powering down properly described in the very same thread.

well, this broke the Audio. Changing it back to Windows (default settings) brought me the previously missing device "Line Out Built-In Audio" in Sound Settings/Output.

now, Audio is working fine :-D

However, the MBM2 still doesn't power off properly.

Hopefully, there'll be a solution to this soon..

apart from this issue, I think it's a great mini-PC, absolutely quiet, tiny, perfectly fast and capable for everyday tasks.

thank you MrEen and redlined for your help!!
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon) [SOLVED]

Post by MrEen »

Wow. I'm glad you got the audio situation fixed, DanielSch. And what a weird fix it was!

The same thread you linked to has someone mentioning leaving an SD card in all the time "fixes" the shutdown issue, but there doesn't appear to be consensus on that. Page 4 of that thread has the details.
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Re: Sound Problem on Mint Box Mini 2 Pro (Mint 19 Cinnamon) [SOLVED]

Post by boatbodger »

I too have been struggling with the linux analog sound output "not there" problem on a near-identical PC.
I have found that if you set the BIOS to 'Windows', my linux distribution will not boot. However, doing this resets the audio hardware such that changing it back to Linux one can then reboot to one's heart's content either using the front panel button, using the linux 'reboot' command, or using 'shutdown -h now' followed by restoring with the front panel button. Alsamixer under these circumstances does not show a 'Headphone' output slider.
BUT!!
If you remove the power from the system, the audio analog sound output will not work, and the 'Headphone' output slider is visible. The audio output is being presented as S/PDIF on the output jack (confirmed with an oscilloscope.
The only way to get the audio back is to set the BIOS to Windows, allow the machine to boot up as far as the grub prompt, then set the BIOS back to Linux again. This is with the version 0.46 BIOS which came out late September 2018.
I suspect if one could find a way of 'fudging' the config input to the sound drivers (which presumably comes up from the BIOS during boot-up), the problem could be solved - unless the ALC1150 chip itself is being misconfigured by the BIOS when in Linux mode.
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