Ok, if you use Gnome you probably use pulseaudio. Try not to load Gnome and X at all including gdm, hal and dbus- then try to play something from console (you can use mplayer).
Please also try to play it from the root account- maybe there is a problem with permissions.
If it doesn't work I do not know how to help you. Maybe mixer mutes something. It maight be also problem within gstreamer.
I would advise to run the current and see if the hdaudio driver supports your card well.
Piotr
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