Mandrake 8.1 and alsa (and maybe devfs)

[Marvin Bellamy]

I'm trying to get sound configured (integrated ESS Solo-1) with the ALSA 
modules.  I've had to figure this out 3 different ways (2 distros, 2 
versions of Slackware).  Now, it looks like I've discovered a 4th.  I 
noticed that the symbolic link /dev/snd is broken.  I found a vague 
reference to a problem with devfs.  How do I disable the devfsd daemon 
during boot?  I think I'm on the right path, but you know otherwise I'd 
appreciate the guidance.