Upon install of Absolute Linux the sound card and 
volume should be set the first time you log in as root. 

If things seemed OK, but you hear nothing -- it could be that 
the sound volumes were not all properly set. open:
MENU> MULTIMEDIA> SOUND CONTROL
Make sure Vol, PCM are up -- maybe there is a PCM2.
you should hear a difference as soon as you move one 
of the sliders...

When satisfied choose FILE > SAVE.

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If the system has any difficulty configuring things for you, 
you may have to open:
MENU> SYSTEM TOOLS> CONFIGURATION> SOUND CARD SETUP 
which will run the alsa configuration utility. It can 
find many supported sound cards and even many old ISA cards.

Just start it and follow the prompts.

If you had to run the utility, after it has finished 
(and is successful...) open the sound mixer at:
MENU > MULTIMEDIA > SOUND CONTROL. 
Set the volumes up most of the way, if they are not. 
Put the red checkmark next to the "MIC" to make it 
the default capture (recording) device. Make sure both 
the master volume and PCM are up most of the way. If 
you might use a line in... that too.

When satisfied choose FILE > SAVE.

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And one last thing (just in case):
Open an XTERM and type in:

alsactl store

This will save your settings after reboot, and forevermore.

