hp vectra vl400mt sound/audio?

I have a hp vectra vl400; PIII 1000 i believe. Using win98 SE. it was
given to me etc. i installed a new drive partioned for win/linux.
I installed win98 and some drivers to get my Matrox 2 monitor up.
anyway;

? 1) when i have a cd under media player no volume control is
available, i.e. start-programs-accessories-entertainment-volume
control

nada is this a device driver problem? any ideas.

change thoughts/question;

? 2) i was thinking after i get win98 running as half ###ed as it can
i wanted to run Linux possible Ubantu as a dual boot machine, any
advice ; is this an o.k. choice -vs- red hat or something else?
hardware probs etc.