Linux-compatible Laptop add-on sound cards?

[Leo Mauler]

--- On Sun, 7/27/08, Sean Crago <cragos at gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm kind of shocked that his sound card doesn't has
> support under ALSA or OSS - What's the chipset? Is 
> NetBSD an option if Linux isn't?

Hadn't thought about NetBSD.  I think its some Intel chipset but nothing I've been able to do has made Linux take notice of the sound chipset.

> That said, if this thing is as old as it sounds, 
> you might want to check and make sure that the 
> USB ports actually work with reasonably modern 
> devices before spending any money. Might have to 
> buy one of those old PCI add-on USB controllers.

The USB is v1.1 and works well with the USB memory keys and mice that have been plugged into the single USB port.

It's not like he's doing any fancy musician-type stuff, its just listening to music, YouTube videos, games, that sort of thing.  The sound doesn't have to be concert-quality, just as good as his old sound (which is a very easy target).

Of course, the USB card will have to be rather old to work on his system.  After sending off this E-mail I was pointed in the direction of "USB SoundBlaster" support, and the lowest-end Creative USB card on the market right now wants a PII-450, bare minimum.  A laptop upgrade might be in order anyway, though at least he could buy any used laptop without worrying about the onboard sound working, what with the USB SoundBlaster support.