linux and soundblaster live 5.1

[whammoed]

Got Gentoo linux running today but my sound doesn't work.  I installed the package for soundblaster live/audigy into the kernel as the handbook suggested.  Someone told me I needed to emerge also.  Is this true?  If so what do I need to do exactly to emerge alsa without a network connection?  I have tried putting the 5 .bz2 on a cd with no luck.
The error I get when I go into KDE is:
Error while initializing the sound driver:
device /dev/dsp can't be opened (no such file or directory)
The sound server will continue using the null output device

thanks

[vputz]

Hmmm.

I'm on debian, so I can't speak to the whims of Gentoo, but let's play a bit.

Do you have the alsa soundblaster module on your system?  (you could try "locate snd-emu10k1.o").

If so, can you load it? ("modprobe snd-emu10k1")

If so, can you play anything with it? ("aplay afile.wav")

If so, things aren't looking too bad; maybe KDE is set up to try and play to the OSS modules and you don't have compatibility set up.

A responsible gentoo'er can probably help more, but at least we can get more of a baseline on what the trouble is.

Oh yeah--and what kernel are you running? ("uname -r")

-->VPutz

[whammoed]

using kernel 2.6.5
yes soundblaster module compiled in kernel emu10k1
update:
emerged alsa-utils...new when I try to #amixer i get the following:
amixer: Mixer attach default error: no such device

one step forward and one step back i guess...I'm sure i am missing something simple but i did follow the alsa doc from gentoo.

[GadgetGeek]

I think sound has been a bit of a problem in general with gentoo on the 2.6 kernel.  Assuming you have room on your HD, you could try 1) stepping back to the 2.4 kernel or 2) try using genkernel instead.
I assume you've verified that the sound works under linux in general (by using a knoppix disc or similar).
Finally, spend some time in their forums, you should be able to find an answer there with a little digging.
Good luck

[whammoed]

never mind...i am an idiot...did not configure kernel correctly...resolved