This is getting too frustrating since Fry's will let me return the machine. As I had already written the following and this is apparently a common problem I am submitting the email. I would still be interested in comments, but don't waste time on it as I am ready to give up.
I may have found a solution to an issue I described in another post as:
Intel 82801G Sound:
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
filename: /lib/modules/2.6.16.21-0.25-smp/kernel/sound/soundcore.kolapdog2:/home/larry/download # lsmod | grep snd
description: Core sound module
author: Alan Cox
license: GPL
alias: char-major-14-*
vermagic: 2.6.16.21-0.25-smp SMP 586 REGPARM gcc-4.1
supported: yes
depends:
srcversion: DD426F1CCA2CC5F060F6F92
snd_pcm_oss 47104 0
snd_mixer_oss 20224 1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_seq 53104 0
snd_seq_device 11916 1 snd_seq
snd_hda_intel 21652 2
snd_hda_codec 139136 1 snd_hda_intel
snd_pcm 86532 3 snd_pcm_oss,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
snd_timer 25860 2 snd_seq,snd_pcm
snd 56708 12 snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_seq,snd_seq_device,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_pcm,snd_timer
soundcore 13024 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 13576 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm