Launching pavucontrol may still freeze the system, hence snd_hda_codec_hdmi has to be blacklisted (losing its required functionality), also under kernel 3.8.0-30 and even after a BIOS update to 1.32 (irrevocable, cf. https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1203446/+attachment/3809189/+files/HPQFlash.png).
$ sudo dmidecode -s bios-version && sudo dmidecode -s bios-release-date 786F1 v01.32 07/21/2011 -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1203520 Title: 10de:1040 snd_hda_codec_hdmi (via pavucontrol or applications playing sound) freezes Ubuntu 12.04 LTS To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1203520/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs