Re: Playing a sound when GDM is "ready"

[Glenn J.Mason <glenn glennji com>]

> A simple explanation as to what gdm does to play a sound would help
> greatly!  Thanks very much

My understanding is that it uses a script:

/usr/lib/gdmplay

This in turn calls aplay, the ALSA player.

Maybe have a play with aplay and read the manpage for it?  Perhaps, as someone suggested, the ALSA mixer levels aren't reset until after you login?  Or aplay doesn't know which device to use?

HTH
-- 
Glenn J. Mason (glennji)