I googled this for you, and I came up with the following information (the referenced laptop is a slightly earlier model): http://www.linuxlogin.com/laptop.php

Relevant quote re sound: "Default - had to add modules to /etc/modules.conf to load on boot" and something about a "Trident module." Since Mandrake is Red Hat-based, it should be similar.

It's based on an ALi chipset with AC '97 sound, so sound quality may be noticeably better for Windows than Linux.

do you konw how i would go about "load sound modules in /etc/modules.conf". i am pretty new to linux too so you know. i know the basics but thats about it

this is a common problem. i had it on mine. many current companies are useing back handed ways to insure that u use their version of windows. some of these can be easy to defeat, with time, however many cant be.
first what kind of laptop ios it
chances are it is a no go for atleast a while if it is a dell, compaq or gateway

well actually its a toshiba satellite, and i got the sound to work. all i did was run redhats up2date program and updated the kernal and now it works. i was pretty pumbed.
thanks for the willing to help tho. actually if you would know how to "load sound modules in /etc/modules.conf". cause im sure this would be a good thing to know since im learning linux.