Laptops :: Sony laptop sound

DSL version 2.1b LiveCD boots fine on Sony VAIO F350 (Pentium II, Neomagic audio). All devices seem to work properly. Great distribution.

However, I only get sound via the headphone output on the laptop, but the builtin speakers have no sound. Speakers work when booted under Windows, so I know they are ok. There are no external speaker switches or volume controls on this model.

Have tried every control on the dMix mi rexer/volume app. No sound from the speakers at any level. Not sure what to try next. Any suggestions appreciated.

Problem turns out to be intermittent. I've had two sessions now with sound, after many boot sessions without. Am trying to further isolate the problem, figure out what causes the speakers to work sometimes and not others. Could be pilot error.

original here.