No sound output with kali linux - no support over there so trying here

[theMusicMan]

Hi All

So I posted this thread over on the kali linux forums, but they deemed me unworthy, and duly sent me a warning via private message. Now I think this is a genuine troubleshooting issue, so hope it's OK to post it here - though I do acknowledge that kali linux is not entirely supported on these forums, just hoping someone with more knowledge than I might possibly be able to help me.

So, I have read many threads on this issue, which seems to be a common one on kali linux. I cannot get any sound out from the RPi3B+ despite doing everything suggested in an old thread on here from 2013.

I have created a config.txt file and added the relevant line at the end. I have used systemctl to enable and start pulseaudio etc. I have watched several other videos but just can't get any sound to be heard. I am using an external set of speakers connected to the 3.5mm jack connector on my Pi. I have a RPi3B and a RPi3B+ and have checked audio is working on both machines by booting up to raspbian and playing sound through Youtube etc. Both work fine with raspbian.

I have seen a few videos where a sound icon is present and visible in the 'All Settings - Hardware' pane of system settings, but I don't see any such icon. I have also ensured I have installed alsa-utils (as suggsted in the older thread I alluded to earlier)

Can anyone offer any advice please as to what I should do next to get sound working.

Many thanks folks.
John

[B.Goode]

Did you find the post in the kali forums that suggested creating a file /boot/config.txt with the content -

Code: Select all

# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on

I've never had any inclination to install a distribution for forensics and penetration testing, so I can't vouch for whether it will be effective. But it looks inoccuous, so might be worth a try... The same configuration option is applied by default with Raspbian.

[k-pi]

Kali isn't a general use distro, so it may not even have alsa (or pulseaudio) installed. If you want sound, you'd be better off installing a desktop distro.

[HawaiianPi]

Out of curiosity, why do you want to use Kali?

As K-pi said, it' not a general use distro. It's actually pretty specialized.

[jamesh]

Have to agree with last two posts. Kali is entirely unsuited for sound output - its a pentest tool, which is presumably why you got short shrift on their forums.

Use Raspbian for the best desktop experience - we've spent much time making the sound all work well on the desktop.

[HawaiianPi]

Use Raspbian for the best desktop experience - we've spent much time making the sound all work well on the desktop.

Actually, they've spend much time making EVERYTHING work well. Raspbian really is an excellent OS!

[theMusicMan]

Use Raspbian for the best desktop experience - we've spent much time making the sound all work well on the desktop.

Actually, they've spend much time making EVERYTHING work well. Raspbian really is an excellent OS!

I quite agree, Raspbian is a superb OS, and I do have an SD card with it on. It's simply that in my learning quest I wanted to experiment with kali, and I guess given recent experience with the OS I will soon be giving it a miss due to dreadfully poor support, a rather backwards attitude to people who are genuinely asking for help, and quite frankly, a terrible user experience frought with errors and issues.

Ah well, we live and learn eh!

Long live Raspbian