AC97., hmmm, i have AC97 as well, on abit mainboard.... try using snd_ich driver (ain't got nothing to lose...)
speaking about via8233
man snd_via8233 says
Code:
HARDWARE
The snd_via8233 driver supports the following audio chipsets:
o VIA VT8233
o VIA VT8233A
o VIA VT8233C
o VIA VT8235
o VIA VT8237
o VIA VT8251
BUGS
The snd_via8233 driver does not support S/PDIF. There is partial support
in the code, so implementing it should be fairly easy if the right hard-
ware is available.
from your dmesg
Code:
pcm0: <VIA VT8237> port 0xe800-0xe8ff irq 22 at device 17.5 on pci0
pcm0: [ITHREAD]
pcm0: <Avance Logic ALC850 AC97 Codec>
pcm0: <VIA DXS Enabled: DXS 4 / SGD 1 / REC 1>
it should work
Are you using 32 or 64 bit system?
I'm out of options here....
can you get some live CD, like freesbie, and test it