[alsa-devel] spdif/iec958 outputs at VT1708S not recognized

[linux user]

Hi I am running 2.6.28-11-generic (Kubunti install) with M4A78T-E Motherboard
and also have no digital spdif output.

aplay -L     
default:CARD=SB               
    HDA ATI SB, VT1708S Analog
    Default Audio Device
front:CARD=SB,DEV=0
    HDA ATI SB, VT1708S Analog
    Front speakers
surround40:CARD=SB,DEV=0
    HDA ATI SB, VT1708S Analog
    4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers
surround41:CARD=SB,DEV=0
    HDA ATI SB, VT1708S Analog
    4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround50:CARD=SB,DEV=0
    HDA ATI SB, VT1708S Analog
    5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers
surround51:CARD=SB,DEV=0
    HDA ATI SB, VT1708S Analog
    5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers
surround71:CARD=SB,DEV=0
    HDA ATI SB, VT1708S Analog
    7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers
null
    Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture)
hdmi:CARD=HDMI
    HDA ATI HDMI, ATI HDMI
    HDMI Audio Output


 I have read this thread ( 
http://mailman.alsa-project.org/pipermail/alsa-devel/2009-May/016958.html ) and
gather that it is a problem with the BIOS and that it was fixable by patching
alsa source. As a newbie and not wanting to destroy my alsa source files can you
explain or refer me to a good howto of the steps needed?

Thanks
  
http://mailman.alsa-project.org/pipermail/alsa-devel/2009-May/016958.html