hi i am a Linux newbie, so go easy on me ...
My sound card was detected when i installed Linux redhat 8.0.. it said...

Vendor: VIA Technologies
Model: VT8233 AC' 97 Audio Controller
Module: VIA82cxxx_audio

but no sound came out when i did the test. I finsished installation anyway, and then i was prompted with an error message when i logged into redhat. it said...

Sound Server informational message

Error while initializing the sound driver
Device /dev/dsp can't be opened ( no such device )

The sound server will continue using the null output device.

Any help on this would be much appreciated
Once again i am a newbie when telling me how to do something explain in as much detail as you can.
thanx

- e s k i

The following worked for me when I had sound problems:
In the BIOS I set:
Plug&Play OS present: NO
Hope it works.

Hey, I have the same sound card and had the same frustrating problem. I discovered that I needed some of the Realtek AC97 drivers loaded for my card. (Realtek made the IC or something like that.) Go to http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloads.aspx and under Downloads choose Computer Periphrial and Multimedia ICs and then AC'97 Audio CODECs. For me from here, I chose the ALC650 because that's what is on my motherboard (Asus A7V8X) and downloaded the drivers. Installation is kind of a pain but if you read the documentation carefully you can figure it out. Unfortunately, not everything is working with my sound yet, but hey, at least I have something. Hope this helps you.

Regards,
Senor Pedo