/etc/xdg/autostart worked around my problem too. ThinkPad T43
cat /proc/asound/cards
0 [ICH6 ]: ICH4 - Intel ICH6 Intel ICH6 with AD1981B at irq 22
1 [U0x46d0x991 ]: USB-Audio - USB Device 0x46d:0x991 USB Device 0x46d:0x991 at usb-0000:00:1d.7-3.1, high speed
/etc/xdg/autostart worked around my problem too. ThinkPad T43
Intel ICH6 with AD1981B at irq 22
USB Device 0x46d:0x991 at usb-0000: 00:1d.7- 3.1, high speed
cat /proc/asound/cards
0 [ICH6 ]: ICH4 - Intel ICH6
1 [U0x46d0x991 ]: USB-Audio - USB Device 0x46d:0x991