gnome sound

[8bwc qlink queensu ca]

this post has two purposes.  first, i would like to question the current
netscape discussion on this list...does it have anything at all to do
with gnome?

second, i would like to repost a question i put to the list a short
while ago.  i forgot to include a subject line on that occassion and i'm
thinking that it might have been ignored for that reason...appologies to
all who read it before.  here it is:

problem...

whenever i restart x, gnome won't play the sounds i have associated with
events until i alter the sound properties using the control center.  it
doesn't matter what i change - i can just change one sound to another
(for example) and then change it back again, click 'ok' and everything
works as desired...

this is an annoying process to go through every day...can someone offer
an explaination of what's going on?  i want gnomeicu to be vocal without
intervention:)

i just installed gnome afresh a few days ago, so everything is latest
version...

thanks for any assistance