/dev/dsp busy

[doug at safeport.com]

I need help in finding the reason for the /dev/dsp busy message. fstat does not
show any process using /dev/dsp.

I am running 5.3 with xorg, kde 3.3. When KDE starts, /dev/dsp tests busy which
directs arts to /dev/null. There are no processes using /dev/dsp. I can play
CDs using either kcd or 'cdcontrol -f /dev/acd0 play 1', so I think the sound
card is setup okay.

However something is wrong since 'cat filename > /dev/dsp' produces no sound.

My configuration:

ls -l /dev/dsp
crw-rw-rw-  1 root  wheel   30,   3 Nov 28 16:04 /dev/dsp

cat /dev/sndstat
FreeBSD Audio Driver (newpcm)
Installed devices:
pcm0: <ESS Technology Maestro-2E> at I/O port 0x1400 irq 5 kld snd_maestro (4p/0r/0v channels duplex default)

loader.conf: snd_maestro_load="YES"

dmesg:
  pcm0: <ESS Technology Maestro-2E> port 0x1400-0x14ff irq 5 at device 8.0 on pci0
  pcm0: <SigmaTel STAC9721/23 AC97 Codec>
  pcm0: [GIANT-LOCKED]
  pcm0: <ESS Technology Maestro-2E> port 0x1400-0x14ff irq 5 at device 8.0 on pci0
  pcm0: <SigmaTel STAC9721/23 AC97 Codec>
  pcm0: [GIANT-LOCKED]

Thanks for any pointers.


_____
Douglas Denault
http://www.safeport.com
doug at safeport.com
Voice: 301-469-8766
  Fax: 301-469-0601