I have a strange problem. I have been running pa for a long time under gentoo x86. However from a couple of days back it is not working anymore (it was after a round of updates but I can't pinpoint what might have done it) I can start pulseaudio -v without a problem. However I cannot connect to it afterwards and I get the following error in syslog. pulseaudio[18226]: pid.c: Daemon already running. Any help would be appreciated. This is what I get when starting pulseaudio -v I: core-util.c: Successfully gained nice level -11. I: main.c: This is PulseAudio 0.9.22 I: main.c: Page size is 4096 bytes I: main.c: Machine ID is b3211f26c53652cb6a33912f0000004d. I: main.c: Session ID is b3211f26c53652cb6a33912f0000004d-1310926624.978398-356352062. I: main.c: Using runtime directory /home/ffrigerio/.pulse/b3211f26c53652cb6a33912f0000004d-runtime. I: main.c: Using state directory /home/ffrigerio/.pulse. I: main.c: Using modules directory /usr/lib/pulse-0.9.22/modules. I: main.c: Running in system mode: no I: main.c: Fresh high-resolution timers available! Bon appetit! I: cpu-x86.c: CPU flags: CMOV MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 MMXEXT 3DNOW 3DNOWEXT I: svolume_mmx.c: Initialising MMX optimized functions. I: remap_mmx.c: Initialising MMX optimized remappers. I: svolume_sse.c: Initialising SSE2 optimized functions. I: remap_sse.c: Initialising SSE2 optimized remappers. I: sconv_sse.c: Initialising SSE2 optimized conversions. I: module-device-restore.c: Sucessfully opened database file '/home/ffrigerio/.pulse/b3211f26c53652cb6a33912f0000004d-device-volumes'. I: module.c: Loaded "module-device-restore" (index: #0; argument: ""). I: module-stream-restore.c: Sucessfully opened database file '/home/ffrigerio/.pulse/b3211f26c53652cb6a33912f0000004d-stream-volumes'. I: module.c: Loaded "module-stream-restore" (index: #1; argument: ""). I: module-card-restore.c: Sucessfully opened database file '/home/ffrigerio/.pulse/b3211f26c53652cb6a33912f0000004d-card-database'. I: module.c: Loaded "module-card-restore" (index: #2; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-augment-properties" (index: #3; argument: ""). I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device front:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device front:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device front:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device front:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device front:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hw:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround40:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround40:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround40:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround40:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround40:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround41:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround41:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround41:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround41:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround41:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround50:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround50:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround50:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround50:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround50:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround51:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround51:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround51:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround51:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround51:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround71:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround71:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround71:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround71:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device surround71:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device iec958:0: Device or resource busy I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM a52:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device a52:0: No such file or directory I: (alsa-lib)conf.c: Unknown parameters 0 I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM hdmi:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hdmi:0: Invalid argument I: (alsa-lib)conf.c: Unknown parameters 0 I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM hdmi:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hdmi:0: Invalid argument I: (alsa-lib)conf.c: Unknown parameters 0 I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM hdmi:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hdmi:0: Invalid argument I: (alsa-lib)conf.c: Unknown parameters 0 I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM hdmi:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hdmi:0: Invalid argument I: (alsa-lib)conf.c: Unknown parameters 0 I: (alsa-lib)pcm.c: Unknown PCM hdmi:0 I: alsa-util.c: Error opening PCM device hdmi:0: Invalid argument I: alsa-util.c: Failed to set hardware parameters on plug:front:0: Invalid argument I: alsa-util.c: Failed to set hardware parameters on plug:hw:0: Invalid argument I: alsa-util.c: Failed to set hardware parameters on plug:iec958:0: Invalid argument I: alsa-util.c: Failed to set hardware parameters on plug:iec958:0: Invalid argument I: card.c: Created 0 "alsa_card.usb-Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F-00-Headset" I: alsa-source.c: Successfully opened device hw:0. I: alsa-source.c: Selected mapping 'Analog Mono' (analog-mono). I: alsa-source.c: Successfully enabled mmap() mode. I: alsa-mixer.c: Successfully attached to mixer 'hw:0' I: source.c: Created source 0 "alsa_input.usb-Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F-00-Headset.analog-mono" with sample spec s16le 1ch 44100Hz and channel map mono I: source.c:???? alsa.resolution_bits = "16" I: source.c:???? device.api = "alsa" I: source.c:???? device.class = "sound" I: source.c:???? alsa.class = "generic" I: source.c:???? alsa.subclass = "generic-mix" I: source.c:???? alsa.name = "USB Audio" I: source.c:???? alsa.id = "USB Audio" I: source.c:???? alsa.subdevice = "0" I: source.c:???? alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0" I: source.c:???? alsa.device = "0" I: source.c:???? alsa.card = "0" I: source.c:???? alsa.card_name = "Plantronics Headset" I: source.c:???? alsa.long_card_name = "Plantronics Plantronics Headset at usb-0000:00:13.2-1.1, full speed" I: source.c:???? alsa.driver_name = "snd_usb_audio" I: source.c:???? device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:13.2-usb-0:1.1:1.0" I: source.c:???? sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:13.2/usb2/2-1/2-1.1/2-1.1:1.0/sound/card0" I: source.c:???? udev.id = "usb-Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F-00-Headset" I: source.c:???? device.bus = "usb" I: source.c:???? device.vendor.id = "047f" I: source.c:???? device.vendor.name = "Plantronics, Inc." I: source.c:???? device.product.id = "0ca1" I: source.c:???? device.product.name = "USB DSP v4 Audio Interface" I: source.c:???? device.serial = "Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F" I: source.c:???? device.form_factor = "headset" I: source.c:???? device.string = "hw:0" I: source.c:???? device.buffering.buffer_size = "3520" I: source.c:???? device.buffering.fragment_size = "440" I: source.c:???? device.access_mode = "mmap" I: source.c:???? device.profile.name = "analog-mono" I: source.c:???? device.profile.description = "Analog Mono" I: source.c:???? device.description = "USB DSP v4 Audio Interface Analog Mono" I: source.c:???? alsa.mixer_name = "USB Mixer" I: source.c:???? alsa.components = "USB047f:0ca1" I: source.c:???? module-udev-detect.discovered = "1" I: source.c:???? device.icon_name = "audio-headset-usb" I: source.c:???? device.intended_roles = "phone" I: alsa-source.c: Using 8.0 fragments of size 440 bytes (4.99ms), buffer size is 3520 bytes (39.91ms) I: alsa-source.c: Hardware volume ranges from 16.00 dB to 31.00 dB. I: alsa-source.c: Fixing base volume to -31.00 dB I: alsa-source.c: Using hardware volume control. Hardware dB scale supported. I: alsa-source.c: Using hardware mute control. I: core-util.c: Successfully enabled SCHED_RR scheduling for thread, with priority 5. I: module.c: Loaded "module-alsa-card" (index: #4; argument: "device_id="0" name="usb-Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F-00-Headset" card_name="alsa_card.usb-Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F-00-Headset" tsched=no ignore_dB=no card_properties="module-udev-detect.discovered=1""). I: alsa-source.c: Starting capture. I: module-udev-detect.c: Card /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:13.2/usb2/2-1/2-1.1/2-1.1:1.0/sound/card0 (alsa_card.usb-Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F-00-Headset) module loaded. I: module-udev-detect.c: Found 1 cards. I: module.c: Loaded "module-udev-detect" (index: #5; argument: "tsched=0"). I: module.c: Loaded "module-raop-discover" (index: #6; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-zeroconf-discover" (index: #7; argument: ""). I: sink.c: Created sink 0 "combined" with sample spec s16le 2ch 44100Hz and channel map front-left,front-right I: sink.c:???? device.class = "filter" I: sink.c:???? device.description = "Simultaneous Output" I: sink.c:???? device.icon_name = "audio-card" I: source.c: Created source 1 "combined.monitor" with sample spec s16le 2ch 44100Hz and channel map front-left,front-right I: source.c:???? device.description = "Monitor of Simultaneous Output" I: source.c:???? device.class = "monitor" I: source.c:???? device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone" I: core-util.c: Successfully enabled SCHED_RR scheduling for thread, with priority 6. I: module.c: Loaded "module-combine" (index: #8; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-gconf" (index: #9; argument: ""). I: module-default-device-restore.c: Restored default sink 'combined'. I: module-default-device-restore.c: Restored default source 'alsa_input.usb-Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F-00-Headset.analog-mono'. I: module.c: Loaded "module-default-device-restore" (index: #10; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-rescue-streams" (index: #11; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-always-sink" (index: #12; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-intended-roles" (index: #13; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-suspend-on-idle" (index: #14; argument: ""). I: client.c: Created 0 "ConsoleKit Session /org/freedesktop/ConsoleKit/Session1" I: module.c: Loaded "module-console-kit" (index: #15; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-position-event-sounds" (index: #16; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-cork-music-on-phone" (index: #17; argument: ""). I: module.c: Loaded "module-x11-bell" (index: #18; argument: "sample=bell-windowing-system"). I: module.c: Loaded "module-x11-publish" (index: #19; argument: ""). I: main.c: Daemon startup complete. I: module-suspend-on-idle.c: Source alsa_input.usb-Plantronics_Plantronics_Headset_00400-0808024410003-V050000F-00-Headset.analog-mono idle for too long, suspending ... I: alsa-source.c: Device suspended... I: module-suspend-on-idle.c: Sink combined idle for too long, suspending ... I: module-combine.c: Device suspended... I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module-x11-bell.c: Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell. I: module.c: Unloading "module-zeroconf-discover" (index: #7). I: module.c: Unloaded "module-zeroconf-discover" (index: #7). I: module.c: Unloading "module-raop-discover" (index: #6). I: module.c: Unloaded "module-raop-discover" (index: #6). Fred Frigerio