Both of these issues are addressed in the latest alsa-driver and in the patches that I submitted to kernel-team@ this month.
** Changed in: alsa-driver (Ubuntu) Status: Needs Info => Fix Committed -- Low volume & distorted sound on HPdv8235ea laptop https://launchpad.net/bugs/47755 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs