I've tried both 2.6.8 and 2.6.11.1 kernels. I have two audio capture devices: snd_via82xx and snd_bt87x (my TV tuner card). None of four possible configs works. Sympthoms:
1. GNOME sound recorder records nothing, the recording doesn't even progress, looks like it's "stuck". When i press "Stop", then "Play" i simply hang up.
2. When i go to gstreamer preferences and press "Test" button on audio source, "Testing" window appears but i hear nothing (of course my audio signal source is playing). I try to set different sources, ALSA or ESD, the result is the same.
3. ALSA capture devices report their status as "closed" in /proc/snd/<card>/device/status
4. When i try to simply dump raw data from the drvice, for example "od /dev/snd/PCMC0D0c" i get "File descriptor in a bad state" error.
This happens with all devices on both kernels.
Please help me! I need it very much...

P.S. The distribution is Debian Sarge Stable

Well, it's all okay, just "Capture" slider in mixed was at 0 for AC97 and for BT878 "Mute" switch was turned on in "Capture boost" section.