I just checked out Speakup this morning and it patched / compiled just fine with a linux 2.4.21 kernel. However, It boots with no speech and this is the error I see in /var/log/syslog: Oct 25 14:36:11 lnx3 kernel: spkout: device probe failed My config options mean for speakup and the spkout features to be included statically and most all other options are set to "n" and the default synth is set to "spkout". It is the normal config I've been using for other 2.4.21 compiles all along. I just now added the final new speakup deck talk pc option by specifying "n". Anyhow, is there any reason this fails now? is this part of the recent break previously mentioned on the list yesterday? Thank God for my previous kernel I'm now using. -- HolmesGrown Solutions The best solutions for the best price! http://ld.net/?holmesgrown