[PLUG] audio issues on RHEL

["Michael Lazin" <microlaser@gmail.com>]

I am running RHEL WS 4 on my home system, which has a built-in Intel HD
audio.  I am using ALSA.  I find that applications seem to
compete for sound resources, for instance, if I stop rhythmbox and play
a movie with xine, then when I try to use rhythmbox again after I am
done it sometimes says "ALSA device "default" is already in use by
another program."  The same thing happens when I play a CD and try
to use rhythmbox afterward.  Is this a weakness of the driver for
my sound card, or a weakness of Redhat?  Or is this a problem with
rhythmbox?  It is extremely annoying.  I would like to freely
switch between audio applications.  Things get even worse when I
try to run applications like Skype which use OSS.  The sound
server simply crashes after using Skype, even though theoretically OSS
emulation should work.   I have had this problem with a number of
kernels and am considering switching distros if that will make things
better.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  

Michael 
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