Error message: Can't open output file '/dev/dsp'

[Richard Shinn <richard.shinn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello,

When I run redhat-config-soundcard, the configuration
tool indicates that it has found my VIA Technologies
VT8233 AC97 Audio Controller and is using module
via82cxxx_audio. But, when I click on the Play test
sound button, I get the following error message:

sox: Can't open output file '/dev/dsp': No such device

but the file is there:
crw-------    1 rich     root      14,   3 Aug 30 
2002 /dev/dsp

Can anybody tell me what might be wrong with /dev/dsp?
I've scoured everthing I can think of in the Linux
Redhat manual and am coming up empty.

Thanks very much.

Rich Shinn