Merge branch 'topic/snd_card_new-err' into topic/cs423x-merge

111 files changed, 617 insertions, 516 deletions

diff --git a/Documentation/sound/alsa/DocBook/writing-an-alsa-driver.tmpl b/Documentation/sound/alsa/DocBook/writing-an-alsa-driver.tmpl
index 87a7c07ab658..320384c1791b 100644
--- a/Documentation/sound/alsa/DocBook/writing-an-alsa-driver.tmpl
+++ b/Documentation/sound/alsa/DocBook/writing-an-alsa-driver.tmpl
@@ -492,9 +492,9 @@
           }
 
           /* (2) */
-          card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-          if (card == NULL)
-                  return -ENOMEM;
+          err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+          if (err < 0)
+                  return err;
 
           /* (3) */
           err = snd_mychip_create(card, pci, &chip);
@@ -590,8 +590,9 @@
             <programlisting>
 <![CDATA[
   struct snd_card *card;
+  int err;
   ....
-  card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
+  err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
 ]]>
             </programlisting>
           </informalexample>
@@ -809,26 +810,28 @@
 
       <para>
         As mentioned above, to create a card instance, call
-      <function>snd_card_new()</function>.
+      <function>snd_card_create()</function>.
 
         <informalexample>
           <programlisting>
 <![CDATA[
   struct snd_card *card;
-  card = snd_card_new(index, id, module, extra_size);
+  int err;
+  err = snd_card_create(index, id, module, extra_size, &card);
 ]]>
           </programlisting>
         </informalexample>
       </para>
 
       <para>
-        The function takes four arguments, the card-index number, the
+        The function takes five arguments, the card-index number, the
         id string, the module pointer (usually
         <constant>THIS_MODULE</constant>),
-        and the size of extra-data space.  The last argument is used to
+        the size of extra-data space, and the pointer to return the
+        card instance.  The extra_size argument is used to
         allocate card-&gt;private_data for the
         chip-specific data.  Note that these data
-        are allocated by <function>snd_card_new()</function>.
+        are allocated by <function>snd_card_create()</function>.
       </para>
     </section>
 
@@ -915,15 +918,16 @@
       </para>
 
       <section id="card-management-chip-specific-snd-card-new">
-        <title>1. Allocating via <function>snd_card_new()</function>.</title>
+        <title>1. Allocating via <function>snd_card_create()</function>.</title>
         <para>
           As mentioned above, you can pass the extra-data-length
-          to the 4th argument of <function>snd_card_new()</function>, i.e.
+          to the 4th argument of <function>snd_card_create()</function>, i.e.
 
           <informalexample>
             <programlisting>
 <![CDATA[
-  card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct mychip));
+  err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                        sizeof(struct mychip), &card);
 ]]>
             </programlisting>
           </informalexample>
@@ -952,8 +956,8 @@
 
         <para>
           After allocating a card instance via
-          <function>snd_card_new()</function> (with
-          <constant>NULL</constant> on the 4th arg), call
+          <function>snd_card_create()</function> (with
+          <constant>0</constant> on the 4th arg), call
           <function>kzalloc()</function>. 
 
           <informalexample>
@@ -961,7 +965,7 @@
 <![CDATA[
   struct snd_card *card;
   struct mychip *chip;
-  card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, NULL);
+  err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
   .....
   chip = kzalloc(sizeof(*chip), GFP_KERNEL);
 ]]>
@@ -5750,8 +5754,9 @@ struct _snd_pcm_runtime {
           ....
           struct snd_card *card;
           struct mychip *chip;
+          int err;
           ....
-          card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, NULL);
+          err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
           ....
           chip = kzalloc(sizeof(*chip), GFP_KERNEL);
           ....
@@ -5763,7 +5768,7 @@ struct _snd_pcm_runtime {
       </informalexample>
 
         When you created the chip data with
-        <function>snd_card_new()</function>, it's anyway accessible
+        <function>snd_card_create()</function>, it's anyway accessible
         via <structfield>private_data</structfield> field.
 
       <informalexample>
@@ -5775,9 +5780,10 @@ struct _snd_pcm_runtime {
           ....
           struct snd_card *card;
           struct mychip *chip;
+          int err;
           ....
-          card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                              sizeof(struct mychip));
+          err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                                sizeof(struct mychip), &card);
           ....
           chip = card->private_data;
           ....
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-alsa.c b/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-alsa.c
index 66c755c116dc..ce98d955231a 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-alsa.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/cx88/cx88-alsa.c
@@ -803,9 +803,10 @@ static int __devinit cx88_audio_initdev(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return (-ENOENT);
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[devno], id[devno], THIS_MODULE, sizeof(snd_cx88_card_t));
-        if (!card)
-                return (-ENOMEM);
+        err = snd_card_create(index[devno], id[devno], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(snd_cx88_card_t), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         card->private_free = snd_cx88_dev_free;
 
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/em28xx/em28xx-audio.c b/drivers/media/video/em28xx/em28xx-audio.c
index 94378ccb7505..66579508e175 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/em28xx/em28xx-audio.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/em28xx/em28xx-audio.c
@@ -438,9 +438,10 @@ static int em28xx_audio_init(struct em28xx *dev)
         printk(KERN_INFO "em28xx-audio.c: Copyright (C) 2006 Markus "
                          "Rechberger\n");
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[devnr], "Em28xx Audio", THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[devnr], "Em28xx Audio", THIS_MODULE, 0,
+                              &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         spin_lock_init(&adev->slock);
         err = snd_pcm_new(card, "Em28xx Audio", 0, 0, 1, &pcm);
diff --git a/drivers/media/video/saa7134/saa7134-alsa.c b/drivers/media/video/saa7134/saa7134-alsa.c
index 26194a0ce927..482be1436e92 100644
--- a/drivers/media/video/saa7134/saa7134-alsa.c
+++ b/drivers/media/video/saa7134/saa7134-alsa.c
@@ -990,10 +990,10 @@ static int alsa_card_saa7134_create(struct saa7134_dev *dev, int devnum)
         if (!enable[devnum])
                 return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[devnum], id[devnum], THIS_MODULE, sizeof(snd_card_saa7134_t));
-
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[devnum], id[devnum], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(snd_card_saa7134_t), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "SAA7134");
 
diff --git a/drivers/staging/go7007/snd-go7007.c b/drivers/staging/go7007/snd-go7007.c
index a7de401f61ab..cd19be6c00e0 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/go7007/snd-go7007.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/go7007/snd-go7007.c
@@ -248,10 +248,11 @@ int go7007_snd_init(struct go7007 *go)
         spin_lock_init(&gosnd->lock);
         gosnd->hw_ptr = gosnd->w_idx = gosnd->avail = 0;
         gosnd->capturing = 0;
-        gosnd->card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (gosnd->card == NULL) {
+        ret = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0,
+                              &gosnd->card);
+        if (ret < 0) {
                 kfree(gosnd);
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                return ret;
         }
         ret = snd_device_new(gosnd->card, SNDRV_DEV_LOWLEVEL, go,
                         &go7007_snd_device_ops);
diff --git a/drivers/usb/gadget/gmidi.c b/drivers/usb/gadget/gmidi.c
index 60d3f9e9b51f..14e09abbddfc 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/gadget/gmidi.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/gadget/gmidi.c
@@ -1099,10 +1099,9 @@ static int gmidi_register_card(struct gmidi_device *dev)
                 .dev_free = gmidi_snd_free,
         };
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card) {
-                ERROR(dev, "snd_card_new failed\n");
-                err = -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
+                ERROR(dev, "snd_card_create failed\n");
                 goto fail;
         }
         dev->card = card;
diff --git a/include/sound/core.h b/include/sound/core.h
index f632484bc743..25420c3b5513 100644
--- a/include/sound/core.h
+++ b/include/sound/core.h
@@ -296,8 +296,20 @@ int snd_card_locked(int card);
 extern int (*snd_mixer_oss_notify_callback)(struct snd_card *card, int cmd);
 #endif
 
+int snd_card_create(int idx, const char *id,
+                    struct module *module, int extra_size,
+                    struct snd_card **card_ret);
+
+static inline __deprecated
 struct snd_card *snd_card_new(int idx, const char *id,
-                         struct module *module, int extra_size);
+                              struct module *module, int extra_size)
+{
+        struct snd_card *card;
+        if (snd_card_create(idx, id, module, extra_size, &card) < 0)
+                return NULL;
+        return card;
+}
+
 int snd_card_disconnect(struct snd_card *card);
 int snd_card_free(struct snd_card *card);
 int snd_card_free_when_closed(struct snd_card *card);
diff --git a/sound/aoa/core/alsa.c b/sound/aoa/core/alsa.c
index 617850463582..0fa3855b4790 100644
--- a/sound/aoa/core/alsa.c
+++ b/sound/aoa/core/alsa.c
@@ -23,9 +23,10 @@ int aoa_alsa_init(char *name, struct module *mod, struct device *dev)
                 /* cannot be EEXIST due to usage in aoa_fabric_register */
                 return -EBUSY;
 
-        alsa_card = snd_card_new(index, name, mod, sizeof(struct aoa_card));
-        if (!alsa_card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, name, mod, sizeof(struct aoa_card),
+                              &alsa_card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         aoa_card = alsa_card->private_data;
         aoa_card->alsa_card = alsa_card;
         alsa_card->dev = dev;
diff --git a/sound/arm/aaci.c b/sound/arm/aaci.c
index 89096e811a4b..7d39aac9ec14 100644
--- a/sound/arm/aaci.c
+++ b/sound/arm/aaci.c
@@ -995,10 +995,11 @@ static struct aaci * __devinit aaci_init_card(struct amba_device *dev)
 {
         struct aaci *aaci;
         struct snd_card *card;
+        int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(SNDRV_DEFAULT_IDX1, SNDRV_DEFAULT_STR1,
-                            THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct aaci));
-        if (card == NULL)
+        err = snd_card_create(SNDRV_DEFAULT_IDX1, SNDRV_DEFAULT_STR1,
+                              THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct aaci), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
                 return NULL;
 
         card->private_free = aaci_free_card;
diff --git a/sound/arm/pxa2xx-ac97.c b/sound/arm/pxa2xx-ac97.c
index 85cf591d4e11..7ed100c80a5f 100644
--- a/sound/arm/pxa2xx-ac97.c
+++ b/sound/arm/pxa2xx-ac97.c
@@ -173,10 +173,9 @@ static int __devinit pxa2xx_ac97_probe(struct platform_device *dev)
         struct snd_ac97_template ac97_template;
         int ret;
 
-        ret = -ENOMEM;
-        card = snd_card_new(SNDRV_DEFAULT_IDX1, SNDRV_DEFAULT_STR1,
-                            THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
+        ret = snd_card_create(SNDRV_DEFAULT_IDX1, SNDRV_DEFAULT_STR1,
+                              THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (ret < 0)
                 goto err;
 
         card->dev = &dev->dev;
diff --git a/sound/arm/sa11xx-uda1341.c b/sound/arm/sa11xx-uda1341.c
index 1dcd51d81d10..51d708c31e65 100644
--- a/sound/arm/sa11xx-uda1341.c
+++ b/sound/arm/sa11xx-uda1341.c
@@ -887,9 +887,10 @@ static int __devinit sa11xx_uda1341_probe(struct platform_device *devptr)
         struct sa11xx_uda1341 *chip;
 
         /* register the soundcard */
-        card = snd_card_new(-1, id, THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct sa11xx_uda1341));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(-1, id, THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct sa11xx_uda1341), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         chip = card->private_data;
         spin_lock_init(&chip->s[0].dma_lock);
diff --git a/sound/core/init.c b/sound/core/init.c
index 0d5520c415d3..dc4b80c7f311 100644
--- a/sound/core/init.c
+++ b/sound/core/init.c
@@ -121,31 +121,44 @@ static inline int init_info_for_card(struct snd_card *card)
 #endif
 
 /**
- *  snd_card_new - create and initialize a soundcard structure
+ *  snd_card_create - create and initialize a soundcard structure
  *  @idx: card index (address) [0 ... (SNDRV_CARDS-1)]
  *  @xid: card identification (ASCII string)
  *  @module: top level module for locking
  *  @extra_size: allocate this extra size after the main soundcard structure
+ *  @card_ret: the pointer to store the created card instance
  *
  *  Creates and initializes a soundcard structure.
  *
- *  Returns kmallocated snd_card structure. Creates the ALSA control interface
- *  (which is blocked until snd_card_register function is called).
+ *  The function allocates snd_card instance via kzalloc with the given
+ *  space for the driver to use freely.  The allocated struct is stored
+ *  in the given card_ret pointer.
+ *
+ *  Returns zero if successful or a negative error code.
  */
-struct snd_card *snd_card_new(int idx, const char *xid,
-                         struct module *module, int extra_size)
+int snd_card_create(int idx, const char *xid,
+                    struct module *module, int extra_size,
+                    struct snd_card **card_ret)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
         int err, idx2;
 
+        if (snd_BUG_ON(!card_ret))
+                return -EINVAL;
+        *card_ret = NULL;
+
         if (extra_size < 0)
                 extra_size = 0;
         card = kzalloc(sizeof(*card) + extra_size, GFP_KERNEL);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return NULL;
+        if (!card)
+                return -ENOMEM;
         if (xid) {
-                if (!snd_info_check_reserved_words(xid))
+                if (!snd_info_check_reserved_words(xid)) {
+                        snd_printk(KERN_ERR
+                                   "given id string '%s' is reserved.\n", xid);
+                        err = -EBUSY;
                         goto __error;
+                }
                 strlcpy(card->id, xid, sizeof(card->id));
         }
         err = 0;
@@ -202,26 +215,28 @@ struct snd_card *snd_card_new(int idx, const char *xid,
 #endif
         /* the control interface cannot be accessed from the user space until */
         /* snd_cards_bitmask and snd_cards are set with snd_card_register */
-        if ((err = snd_ctl_create(card)) < 0) {
-                snd_printd("unable to register control minors\n");
+        err = snd_ctl_create(card);
+        if (err < 0) {
+                snd_printk(KERN_ERR "unable to register control minors\n");
                 goto __error;
         }
-        if ((err = snd_info_card_create(card)) < 0) {
-                snd_printd("unable to create card info\n");
+        err = snd_info_card_create(card);
+        if (err < 0) {
+                snd_printk(KERN_ERR "unable to create card info\n");
                 goto __error_ctl;
         }
         if (extra_size > 0)
                 card->private_data = (char *)card + sizeof(struct snd_card);
-        return card;
+        *card_ret = card;
+        return 0;
 
       __error_ctl:
         snd_device_free_all(card, SNDRV_DEV_CMD_PRE);
       __error:
         kfree(card);
-        return NULL;
+        return err;
 }
-
-EXPORT_SYMBOL(snd_card_new);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL(snd_card_create);
 
 /* return non-zero if a card is already locked */
 int snd_card_locked(int card)
diff --git a/sound/drivers/dummy.c b/sound/drivers/dummy.c
index 73be7e14a603..54239d2e0997 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/dummy.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/dummy.c
@@ -588,10 +588,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_dummy_probe(struct platform_device *devptr)
         int idx, err;
         int dev = devptr->id;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_dummy));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_dummy), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         dummy = card->private_data;
         dummy->card = card;
         for (idx = 0; idx < MAX_PCM_DEVICES && idx < pcm_devs[dev]; idx++) {
diff --git a/sound/drivers/ml403-ac97cr.c b/sound/drivers/ml403-ac97cr.c
index 7783843ca9ae..1950ffce2b54 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/ml403-ac97cr.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/ml403-ac97cr.c
@@ -1279,9 +1279,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_ml403_ac97cr_probe(struct platform_device *pfdev)
         if (!enable[dev])
                 return -ENOENT;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         err = snd_ml403_ac97cr_create(card, pfdev, &ml403_ac97cr);
         if (err < 0) {
                 PDEBUG(INIT_FAILURE, "probe(): create failed!\n");
diff --git a/sound/drivers/mpu401/mpu401.c b/sound/drivers/mpu401/mpu401.c
index 5b996f3faba5..149d05a8202d 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/mpu401/mpu401.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/mpu401/mpu401.c
@@ -73,9 +73,9 @@ static int snd_mpu401_create(int dev, struct snd_card **rcard)
                 snd_printk(KERN_ERR "the uart_enter option is obsolete; remove it\n");
 
         *rcard = NULL;
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         strcpy(card->driver, "MPU-401 UART");
         strcpy(card->shortname, card->driver);
         sprintf(card->longname, "%s at %#lx, ", card->shortname, port[dev]);
diff --git a/sound/drivers/mtpav.c b/sound/drivers/mtpav.c
index 5b89c0883d60..c3e9833dcfd9 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/mtpav.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/mtpav.c
@@ -696,9 +696,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_mtpav_probe(struct platform_device *dev)
         int err;
         struct mtpav *mtp_card;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, sizeof(*mtp_card));
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, sizeof(*mtp_card), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         mtp_card = card->private_data;
         spin_lock_init(&mtp_card->spinlock);
diff --git a/sound/drivers/mts64.c b/sound/drivers/mts64.c
index 87ba1ddc0115..33d9db782e07 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/mts64.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/mts64.c
@@ -957,10 +957,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_mts64_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
         if ((err = snd_mts64_probe_port(p)) < 0)
                 return err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 snd_printd("Cannot create card\n");
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                return err;
         }
         strcpy(card->driver, DRIVER_NAME);
         strcpy(card->shortname, "ESI " CARD_NAME);
diff --git a/sound/drivers/pcsp/pcsp.c b/sound/drivers/pcsp/pcsp.c
index a4049eb94d35..aa2ae07a76d5 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/pcsp/pcsp.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/pcsp/pcsp.c
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_pcsp_probe(int devnum, struct device *dev)
         hrtimer_init(&pcsp_chip.timer, CLOCK_MONOTONIC, HRTIMER_MODE_REL);
         pcsp_chip.timer.function = pcsp_do_timer;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         err = snd_pcsp_create(card);
         if (err < 0) {
diff --git a/sound/drivers/portman2x4.c b/sound/drivers/portman2x4.c
index b1c047ec19af..60158e2e0eaf 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/portman2x4.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/portman2x4.c
@@ -746,10 +746,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_portman_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
         if ((err = snd_portman_probe_port(p)) < 0)
                 return err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 snd_printd("Cannot create card\n");
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                return err;
         }
         strcpy(card->driver, DRIVER_NAME);
         strcpy(card->shortname, CARD_NAME);
diff --git a/sound/drivers/serial-u16550.c b/sound/drivers/serial-u16550.c
index d8aab9da97c2..891d081e4825 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/serial-u16550.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/serial-u16550.c
@@ -936,9 +936,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_serial_probe(struct platform_device *devptr)
                 return -ENODEV;
         }
 
-        card  = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err  = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "Serial");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "Serial MIDI (UART16550A)");
diff --git a/sound/drivers/virmidi.c b/sound/drivers/virmidi.c
index f79e3614079d..6f48711818f3 100644
--- a/sound/drivers/virmidi.c
+++ b/sound/drivers/virmidi.c
@@ -90,10 +90,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_virmidi_probe(struct platform_device *devptr)
         int idx, err;
         int dev = devptr->id;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_card_virmidi));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_card_virmidi), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         vmidi = (struct snd_card_virmidi *)card->private_data;
         vmidi->card = card;
 
diff --git a/sound/isa/ad1816a/ad1816a.c b/sound/isa/ad1816a/ad1816a.c
index 15f60107a11e..bbcbf92a8ebe 100644
--- a/sound/isa/ad1816a/ad1816a.c
+++ b/sound/isa/ad1816a/ad1816a.c
@@ -158,9 +158,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_ad1816a_probe(int dev, struct pnp_card_link *pcard
         struct snd_opl3 *opl3;
         struct snd_timer *timer;
 
-        if ((card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                                 sizeof(struct snd_card_ad1816a))) == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                                sizeof(struct snd_card_ad1816a), &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
         acard = (struct snd_card_ad1816a *)card->private_data;
 
         if ((error = snd_card_ad1816a_pnp(dev, acard, pcard, pid))) {
diff --git a/sound/isa/ad1848/ad1848.c b/sound/isa/ad1848/ad1848.c
index 223a6c038819..4beeb6f98e0e 100644
--- a/sound/isa/ad1848/ad1848.c
+++ b/sound/isa/ad1848/ad1848.c
@@ -91,9 +91,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_ad1848_probe(struct device *dev, unsigned int n)
         struct snd_pcm *pcm;
         int error;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -EINVAL;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
 
         error = snd_wss_create(card, port[n], -1, irq[n], dma1[n], -1,
                         thinkpad[n] ? WSS_HW_THINKPAD : WSS_HW_DETECT,
diff --git a/sound/isa/adlib.c b/sound/isa/adlib.c
index 374b7177e111..7465ae036e0b 100644
--- a/sound/isa/adlib.c
+++ b/sound/isa/adlib.c
@@ -53,10 +53,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_adlib_probe(struct device *dev, unsigned int n)
         struct snd_opl3 *opl3;
         int error;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card) {
+        error = snd_card_create(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (error < 0) {
                 dev_err(dev, "could not create card\n");
-                return -EINVAL;
+                return error;
         }
 
         card->private_data = request_region(port[n], 4, CRD_NAME);
diff --git a/sound/isa/als100.c b/sound/isa/als100.c
index f1ce30f379c9..5fd52e4d7079 100644
--- a/sound/isa/als100.c
+++ b/sound/isa/als100.c
@@ -163,9 +163,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_als100_probe(int dev,
         struct snd_card_als100 *acard;
         struct snd_opl3 *opl3;
 
-        if ((card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                                 sizeof(struct snd_card_als100))) == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                                sizeof(struct snd_card_als100), &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
         acard = card->private_data;
 
         if ((error = snd_card_als100_pnp(dev, acard, pcard, pid))) {
diff --git a/sound/isa/azt2320.c b/sound/isa/azt2320.c
index 3e74d1a3928e..f7aa637b0d18 100644
--- a/sound/isa/azt2320.c
+++ b/sound/isa/azt2320.c
@@ -184,9 +184,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_azt2320_probe(int dev,
         struct snd_wss *chip;
         struct snd_opl3 *opl3;
 
-        if ((card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                                 sizeof(struct snd_card_azt2320))) == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                                sizeof(struct snd_card_azt2320), &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
         acard = (struct snd_card_azt2320 *)card->private_data;
 
         if ((error = snd_card_azt2320_pnp(dev, acard, pcard, pid))) {
diff --git a/sound/isa/cmi8330.c b/sound/isa/cmi8330.c
index 9ca8122f7ba2..de83608719ea 100644
--- a/sound/isa/cmi8330.c
+++ b/sound/isa/cmi8330.c
@@ -497,20 +497,22 @@ static int snd_cmi8330_resume(struct snd_card *card)
 
 #define PFX     "cmi8330: "
 
-static struct snd_card *snd_cmi8330_card_new(int dev)
+static int snd_cmi8330_card_new(int dev, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_cmi8330 *acard;
+        int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_cmi8330));
-        if (card == NULL) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_cmi8330), &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 snd_printk(KERN_ERR PFX "could not get a new card\n");
-                return NULL;
+                return err;
         }
         acard = card->private_data;
         acard->card = card;
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int __devinit snd_cmi8330_probe(struct snd_card *card, int dev)
@@ -616,9 +618,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cmi8330_isa_probe(struct device *pdev,
         struct snd_card *card;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_cmi8330_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_cmi8330_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         snd_card_set_dev(card, pdev);
         if ((err = snd_cmi8330_probe(card, dev)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
@@ -680,9 +682,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cmi8330_pnp_detect(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
                                
-        card = snd_cmi8330_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        res = snd_cmi8330_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (res < 0)
+                return res;
         if ((res = snd_cmi8330_pnp(dev, card->private_data, pcard, pid)) < 0) {
                 snd_printk(KERN_ERR PFX "PnP detection failed\n");
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/isa/cs423x/cs4231.c b/sound/isa/cs423x/cs4231.c
index f019d449e2d6..cb9153e75b82 100644
--- a/sound/isa/cs423x/cs4231.c
+++ b/sound/isa/cs423x/cs4231.c
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cs4231_probe(struct device *dev, unsigned int n)
         struct snd_pcm *pcm;
         int error;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -EINVAL;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
 
         error = snd_wss_create(card, port[n], -1, irq[n], dma1[n], dma2[n],
                         WSS_HW_DETECT, 0, &chip);
diff --git a/sound/isa/cs423x/cs4236.c b/sound/isa/cs423x/cs4236.c
index 019c9401663e..f7845986f467 100644
--- a/sound/isa/cs423x/cs4236.c
+++ b/sound/isa/cs423x/cs4236.c
@@ -382,16 +382,18 @@ static void snd_card_cs4236_free(struct snd_card *card)
         release_and_free_resource(acard->res_sb_port);
 }
 
-static struct snd_card *snd_cs423x_card_new(int dev)
+static int snd_cs423x_card_new(int dev, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
+        int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_card_cs4236));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return NULL;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_card_cs4236), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         card->private_free = snd_card_cs4236_free;
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int __devinit snd_cs423x_probe(struct snd_card *card, int dev)
@@ -512,9 +514,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cs423x_isa_probe(struct device *pdev,
         struct snd_card *card;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_cs423x_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_cs423x_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         snd_card_set_dev(card, pdev);
         if ((err = snd_cs423x_probe(card, dev)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
@@ -594,9 +596,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cs4232_pnpbios_detect(struct pnp_dev *pdev,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_cs423x_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_cs423x_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if ((err = snd_card_cs4232_pnp(dev, card->private_data, pdev)) < 0) {
                 printk(KERN_ERR "PnP BIOS detection failed for " IDENT "\n");
                 snd_card_free(card);
@@ -656,9 +658,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cs423x_pnpc_detect(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_cs423x_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        res = snd_cs423x_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (res < 0)
+                return res;
         if ((res = snd_card_cs423x_pnpc(dev, card->private_data, pcard, pid)) < 0) {
                 printk(KERN_ERR "isapnp detection failed and probing for " IDENT
                        " is not supported\n");
diff --git a/sound/isa/dt019x.c b/sound/isa/dt019x.c
index a0242c3b613e..80f5b1af9be8 100644
--- a/sound/isa/dt019x.c
+++ b/sound/isa/dt019x.c
@@ -150,9 +150,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_dt019x_probe(int dev, struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
         struct snd_card_dt019x *acard;
         struct snd_opl3 *opl3;
 
-        if ((card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                                 sizeof(struct snd_card_dt019x))) == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                                sizeof(struct snd_card_dt019x), &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
         acard = card->private_data;
 
         snd_card_set_dev(card, &pcard->card->dev);
diff --git a/sound/isa/es1688/es1688.c b/sound/isa/es1688/es1688.c
index b0eb0cf6050e..442b081cafb7 100644
--- a/sound/isa/es1688/es1688.c
+++ b/sound/isa/es1688/es1688.c
@@ -125,9 +125,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_es1688_probe(struct device *dev, unsigned int n)
         struct snd_pcm *pcm;
         int error;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -EINVAL;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
 
         error = snd_es1688_legacy_create(card, dev, n, &chip);
         if (error < 0)
diff --git a/sound/isa/es18xx.c b/sound/isa/es18xx.c
index 90498e4ca260..8cfbff73a835 100644
--- a/sound/isa/es18xx.c
+++ b/sound/isa/es18xx.c
@@ -2125,10 +2125,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_audiodrive_pnpc(int dev, struct snd_audiodrive *acard,
 #define is_isapnp_selected(dev)         0
 #endif
 
-static struct snd_card *snd_es18xx_card_new(int dev)
+static int snd_es18xx_card_new(int dev, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
-        return snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_audiodrive));
+        return snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                               sizeof(struct snd_audiodrive), cardp);
 }
 
 static int __devinit snd_audiodrive_probe(struct snd_card *card, int dev)
@@ -2197,9 +2197,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_es18xx_isa_probe1(int dev, struct device *devptr)
         struct snd_card *card;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_es18xx_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_es18xx_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         snd_card_set_dev(card, devptr);
         if ((err = snd_audiodrive_probe(card, dev)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
@@ -2303,9 +2303,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_audiodrive_pnp_detect(struct pnp_dev *pdev,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_es18xx_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_es18xx_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if ((err = snd_audiodrive_pnp(dev, card->private_data, pdev)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
                 return err;
@@ -2362,9 +2362,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_audiodrive_pnpc_detect(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_es18xx_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        res = snd_es18xx_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (res < 0)
+                return res;
 
         if ((res = snd_audiodrive_pnpc(dev, card->private_data, pcard, pid)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/isa/gus/gusclassic.c b/sound/isa/gus/gusclassic.c
index 426532a4d730..086b8f0e0f94 100644
--- a/sound/isa/gus/gusclassic.c
+++ b/sound/isa/gus/gusclassic.c
@@ -148,9 +148,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_gusclassic_probe(struct device *dev, unsigned int n)
         struct snd_gus_card *gus;
         int error;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -EINVAL;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
 
         if (pcm_channels[n] < 2)
                 pcm_channels[n] = 2;
diff --git a/sound/isa/gus/gusextreme.c b/sound/isa/gus/gusextreme.c
index 7ad4c3b41a84..180a8dea6bd9 100644
--- a/sound/isa/gus/gusextreme.c
+++ b/sound/isa/gus/gusextreme.c
@@ -241,9 +241,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_gusextreme_probe(struct device *dev, unsigned int n)
         struct snd_opl3 *opl3;
         int error;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -EINVAL;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[n], id[n], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
 
         if (mpu_port[n] == SNDRV_AUTO_PORT)
                 mpu_port[n] = 0;
diff --git a/sound/isa/gus/gusmax.c b/sound/isa/gus/gusmax.c
index f94c1976e632..f26eac8d8110 100644
--- a/sound/isa/gus/gusmax.c
+++ b/sound/isa/gus/gusmax.c
@@ -214,10 +214,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_gusmax_probe(struct device *pdev, unsigned int dev)
         struct snd_wss *wss;
         struct snd_gusmax *maxcard;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_gusmax));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_gusmax), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         card->private_free = snd_gusmax_free;
         maxcard = (struct snd_gusmax *)card->private_data;
         maxcard->card = card;
diff --git a/sound/isa/gus/interwave.c b/sound/isa/gus/interwave.c
index 418d49eef926..534a6eced2b8 100644
--- a/sound/isa/gus/interwave.c
+++ b/sound/isa/gus/interwave.c
@@ -628,20 +628,22 @@ static void snd_interwave_free(struct snd_card *card)
                 free_irq(iwcard->irq, (void *)iwcard);
 }
 
-static struct snd_card *snd_interwave_card_new(int dev)
+static int snd_interwave_card_new(int dev, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_interwave *iwcard;
+        int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_interwave));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return NULL;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_interwave), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         iwcard = card->private_data;
         iwcard->card = card;
         iwcard->irq = -1;
         card->private_free = snd_interwave_free;
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int __devinit snd_interwave_probe(struct snd_card *card, int dev)
@@ -780,9 +782,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_interwave_isa_probe1(int dev, struct device *devptr)
         struct snd_card *card;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_interwave_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_interwave_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         snd_card_set_dev(card, devptr);
         if ((err = snd_interwave_probe(card, dev)) < 0) {
@@ -878,9 +880,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_interwave_pnp_detect(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
                                 
-        card = snd_interwave_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        res = snd_interwave_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (res < 0)
+                return res;
 
         if ((res = snd_interwave_pnp(dev, card->private_data, pcard, pid)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/isa/opl3sa2.c b/sound/isa/opl3sa2.c
index 06810dfb9d9a..e8d6e1ac88a8 100644
--- a/sound/isa/opl3sa2.c
+++ b/sound/isa/opl3sa2.c
@@ -621,21 +621,24 @@ static void snd_opl3sa2_free(struct snd_card *card)
         release_and_free_resource(chip->res_port);
 }
 
-static struct snd_card *snd_opl3sa2_card_new(int dev)
+static int snd_opl3sa2_card_new(int dev, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_opl3sa2 *chip;
+        int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct snd_opl3sa2));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return NULL;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_opl3sa2), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         strcpy(card->driver, "OPL3SA2");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "Yamaha OPL3-SA2");
         chip = card->private_data;
         spin_lock_init(&chip->reg_lock);
         chip->irq = -1;
         card->private_free = snd_opl3sa2_free;
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int __devinit snd_opl3sa2_probe(struct snd_card *card, int dev)
@@ -727,9 +730,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_opl3sa2_pnp_detect(struct pnp_dev *pdev,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_opl3sa2_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_opl3sa2_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if ((err = snd_opl3sa2_pnp(dev, card->private_data, pdev)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
                 return err;
@@ -793,9 +796,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_opl3sa2_pnp_cdetect(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_opl3sa2_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_opl3sa2_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if ((err = snd_opl3sa2_pnp(dev, card->private_data, pdev)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
                 return err;
@@ -874,9 +877,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_opl3sa2_isa_probe(struct device *pdev,
         struct snd_card *card;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_opl3sa2_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_opl3sa2_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         snd_card_set_dev(card, pdev);
         if ((err = snd_opl3sa2_probe(card, dev)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/isa/opti9xx/miro.c b/sound/isa/opti9xx/miro.c
index 440755cc0013..02e30d7c6a93 100644
--- a/sound/isa/opti9xx/miro.c
+++ b/sound/isa/opti9xx/miro.c
@@ -1228,9 +1228,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_miro_probe(struct device *devptr, unsigned int n)
         struct snd_pcm *pcm;
         struct snd_rawmidi *rmidi;
 
-        if (!(card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE,
-                                  sizeof(struct snd_miro))))
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        error = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE,
+                                sizeof(struct snd_miro), &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
 
         card->private_free = snd_card_miro_free;
         miro = card->private_data;
diff --git a/sound/isa/opti9xx/opti92x-ad1848.c b/sound/isa/opti9xx/opti92x-ad1848.c
index d5bc0e03132a..5cd555325b9d 100644
--- a/sound/isa/opti9xx/opti92x-ad1848.c
+++ b/sound/isa/opti9xx/opti92x-ad1848.c
@@ -828,15 +828,18 @@ static int __devinit snd_opti9xx_probe(struct snd_card *card)
         return snd_card_register(card);
 }
 
-static struct snd_card *snd_opti9xx_card_new(void)
+static int snd_opti9xx_card_new(struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
+        int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct snd_opti9xx));
-        if (! card)
-                return NULL;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_opti9xx), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         card->private_free = snd_card_opti9xx_free;
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int __devinit snd_opti9xx_isa_match(struct device *devptr,
@@ -901,9 +904,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_opti9xx_isa_probe(struct device *devptr,
         }
 #endif
 
-        card = snd_opti9xx_card_new();
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        error = snd_opti9xx_card_new(&card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
 
         if ((error = snd_card_opti9xx_detect(card, card->private_data)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
@@ -948,9 +951,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_opti9xx_pnp_probe(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
                 return -EBUSY;
         if (! isapnp)
                 return -ENODEV;
-        card = snd_opti9xx_card_new();
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        error = snd_opti9xx_card_new(&card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
         chip = card->private_data;
 
         hw = snd_card_opti9xx_pnp(chip, pcard, pid);
diff --git a/sound/isa/sb/es968.c b/sound/isa/sb/es968.c
index c8c8e214c843..cafc3a7316a8 100644
--- a/sound/isa/sb/es968.c
+++ b/sound/isa/sb/es968.c
@@ -108,9 +108,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_es968_probe(int dev,
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_card_es968 *acard;
 
-        if ((card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                                 sizeof(struct snd_card_es968))) == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        error = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                                sizeof(struct snd_card_es968), &card);
+        if (error < 0)
+                return error;
         acard = card->private_data;
         if ((error = snd_card_es968_pnp(dev, acard, pcard, pid))) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/isa/sb/sb16.c b/sound/isa/sb/sb16.c
index 2c201f78ce50..519c36346dec 100644
--- a/sound/isa/sb/sb16.c
+++ b/sound/isa/sb/sb16.c
@@ -324,14 +324,18 @@ static void snd_sb16_free(struct snd_card *card)
 #define is_isapnp_selected(dev)         0
 #endif
 
-static struct snd_card *snd_sb16_card_new(int dev)
+static int snd_sb16_card_new(int dev, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
-        struct snd_card *card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                                        sizeof(struct snd_card_sb16));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return NULL;
+        struct snd_card *card;
+        int err;
+
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_card_sb16), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         card->private_free = snd_sb16_free;
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int __devinit snd_sb16_probe(struct snd_card *card, int dev)
@@ -489,9 +493,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_sb16_isa_probe1(int dev, struct device *pdev)
         struct snd_card *card;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_sb16_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_sb16_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         acard = card->private_data;
         /* non-PnP FM port address is hardwired with base port address */
@@ -610,9 +614,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_sb16_pnp_detect(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
         for ( ; dev < SNDRV_CARDS; dev++) {
                 if (!enable[dev] || !isapnp[dev])
                         continue;
-                card = snd_sb16_card_new(dev);
-                if (! card)
-                        return -ENOMEM;
+                res = snd_sb16_card_new(dev, &card);
+                if (res < 0)
+                        return res;
                 snd_card_set_dev(card, &pcard->card->dev);
                 if ((res = snd_card_sb16_pnp(dev, card->private_data, pcard, pid)) < 0 ||
                     (res = snd_sb16_probe(card, dev)) < 0) {
diff --git a/sound/isa/sb/sb8.c b/sound/isa/sb/sb8.c
index ea06877be4b1..3cd57ee54660 100644
--- a/sound/isa/sb/sb8.c
+++ b/sound/isa/sb/sb8.c
@@ -103,10 +103,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_sb8_probe(struct device *pdev, unsigned int dev)
         struct snd_opl3 *opl3;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_sb8));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_sb8), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         acard = card->private_data;
         card->private_free = snd_sb8_free;
 
diff --git a/sound/isa/sc6000.c b/sound/isa/sc6000.c
index bbc53692e68d..782010608ef4 100644
--- a/sound/isa/sc6000.c
+++ b/sound/isa/sc6000.c
@@ -489,9 +489,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_sc6000_probe(struct device *devptr, unsigned int dev)
         char __iomem *vmss_port;
 
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if (xirq == SNDRV_AUTO_IRQ) {
                 xirq = snd_legacy_find_free_irq(possible_irqs);
diff --git a/sound/isa/sgalaxy.c b/sound/isa/sgalaxy.c
index 2c7503bf1271..6fe27b9d9440 100644
--- a/sound/isa/sgalaxy.c
+++ b/sound/isa/sgalaxy.c
@@ -243,9 +243,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_sgalaxy_probe(struct device *devptr, unsigned int dev)
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_wss *chip;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         xirq = irq[dev];
         if (xirq == SNDRV_AUTO_IRQ) {
diff --git a/sound/isa/sscape.c b/sound/isa/sscape.c
index 48a16d865834..4025fb558c50 100644
--- a/sound/isa/sscape.c
+++ b/sound/isa/sscape.c
@@ -1357,10 +1357,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_sscape_probe(struct device *pdev, unsigned int dev)
         struct soundscape *sscape;
         int ret;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct soundscape));
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        ret = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct soundscape), &card);
+        if (ret < 0)
+                return ret;
 
         sscape = get_card_soundscape(card);
         sscape->type = SSCAPE;
@@ -1462,10 +1462,10 @@ static int __devinit sscape_pnp_detect(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
          * Create a new ALSA sound card entry, in anticipation
          * of detecting our hardware ...
          */
-        card = snd_card_new(index[idx], id[idx], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct soundscape));
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        ret = snd_card_create(index[idx], id[idx], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct soundscape), &card);
+        if (ret < 0)
+                return ret;
 
         sscape = get_card_soundscape(card);
 
diff --git a/sound/isa/wavefront/wavefront.c b/sound/isa/wavefront/wavefront.c
index c280e6220aee..a34ae7b1f7d0 100644
--- a/sound/isa/wavefront/wavefront.c
+++ b/sound/isa/wavefront/wavefront.c
@@ -338,15 +338,16 @@ snd_wavefront_free(struct snd_card *card)
         }
 }
 
-static struct snd_card *snd_wavefront_card_new(int dev)
+static int snd_wavefront_card_new(int dev, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
         snd_wavefront_card_t *acard;
+        int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new (index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                             sizeof(snd_wavefront_card_t));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return NULL;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(snd_wavefront_card_t), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         acard = card->private_data;
         acard->wavefront.irq = -1;
@@ -357,7 +358,8 @@ static struct snd_card *snd_wavefront_card_new(int dev)
         acard->wavefront.card = card;
         card->private_free = snd_wavefront_free;
 
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int __devinit
@@ -567,9 +569,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_wavefront_isa_probe(struct device *pdev,
         struct snd_card *card;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_wavefront_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_wavefront_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         snd_card_set_dev(card, pdev);
         if ((err = snd_wavefront_probe(card, dev)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
@@ -616,9 +618,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_wavefront_pnp_detect(struct pnp_card_link *pcard,
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
                 return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_wavefront_card_new(dev);
-        if (! card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        res = snd_wavefront_card_new(dev, &card);
+        if (res < 0)
+                return res;
 
         if (snd_wavefront_pnp (dev, card->private_data, pcard, pid) < 0) {
                 if (cs4232_pcm_port[dev] == SNDRV_AUTO_PORT) {
diff --git a/sound/mips/au1x00.c b/sound/mips/au1x00.c
index 1881cec11e78..99e1391b2eb4 100644
--- a/sound/mips/au1x00.c
+++ b/sound/mips/au1x00.c
@@ -636,9 +636,10 @@ au1000_init(void)
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_au1000 *au1000;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(-1, "AC97", THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct snd_au1000));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(-1, "AC97", THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_au1000), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         card->private_free = snd_au1000_free;
         au1000 = card->private_data;
diff --git a/sound/mips/hal2.c b/sound/mips/hal2.c
index db495be01861..c52691c2fc46 100644
--- a/sound/mips/hal2.c
+++ b/sound/mips/hal2.c
@@ -878,9 +878,9 @@ static int __devinit hal2_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
         struct snd_hal2 *chip;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         err = hal2_create(card, &chip);
         if (err < 0) {
diff --git a/sound/mips/sgio2audio.c b/sound/mips/sgio2audio.c
index 4c63504348dc..66f3b48ceafc 100644
--- a/sound/mips/sgio2audio.c
+++ b/sound/mips/sgio2audio.c
@@ -936,9 +936,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_sgio2audio_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
         struct snd_sgio2audio *chip;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         err = snd_sgio2audio_create(card, &chip);
         if (err < 0) {
diff --git a/sound/parisc/harmony.c b/sound/parisc/harmony.c
index 41f870f8a11d..6055fd6d3b38 100644
--- a/sound/parisc/harmony.c
+++ b/sound/parisc/harmony.c
@@ -975,9 +975,9 @@ snd_harmony_probe(struct parisc_device *padev)
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_harmony *h;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         err = snd_harmony_create(card, padev, &h);
         if (err < 0)
diff --git a/sound/pci/ad1889.c b/sound/pci/ad1889.c
index a7f38e63303f..d1f242bd0ac5 100644
--- a/sound/pci/ad1889.c
+++ b/sound/pci/ad1889.c
@@ -995,10 +995,10 @@ snd_ad1889_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         }
 
         /* (2) */
-        card = snd_card_new(index[devno], id[devno], THIS_MODULE, 0);
+        err = snd_card_create(index[devno], id[devno], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
         /* XXX REVISIT: we can probably allocate chip in this call */
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "AD1889");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "Analog Devices AD1889");
diff --git a/sound/pci/ali5451/ali5451.c b/sound/pci/ali5451/ali5451.c
index 1a0fd65ec280..b36c551da566 100644
--- a/sound/pci/ali5451/ali5451.c
+++ b/sound/pci/ali5451/ali5451.c
@@ -2307,9 +2307,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_ali_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
 
         snd_ali_printk("probe ...\n");
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         err = snd_ali_create(card, pci, pcm_channels, spdif, &codec);
         if (err < 0)
diff --git a/sound/pci/als300.c b/sound/pci/als300.c
index 8df6824b51cd..f557c155db48 100644
--- a/sound/pci/als300.c
+++ b/sound/pci/als300.c
@@ -812,10 +812,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_als300_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
 
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         chip_type = pci_id->driver_data;
 
diff --git a/sound/pci/als4000.c b/sound/pci/als4000.c
index ba570053d4d5..542a0c65a92c 100644
--- a/sound/pci/als4000.c
+++ b/sound/pci/als4000.c
@@ -889,12 +889,13 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_als4000_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         pci_write_config_word(pci, PCI_COMMAND, word | PCI_COMMAND_IO);
         pci_set_master(pci);
         
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 
-                            sizeof(*acard) /* private_data: acard */);
-        if (card == NULL) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 
+                              sizeof(*acard) /* private_data: acard */,
+                              &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 pci_release_regions(pci);
                 pci_disable_device(pci);
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                return err;
         }
 
         acard = card->private_data;
diff --git a/sound/pci/atiixp.c b/sound/pci/atiixp.c
index 226fe8237d31..9ce8548c03e4 100644
--- a/sound/pci/atiixp.c
+++ b/sound/pci/atiixp.c
@@ -1645,9 +1645,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_atiixp_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         struct atiixp *chip;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, spdif_aclink ? "ATIIXP" : "ATIIXP-SPDMA");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "ATI IXP");
diff --git a/sound/pci/atiixp_modem.c b/sound/pci/atiixp_modem.c
index 0e6e5cc1c501..c3136cccc559 100644
--- a/sound/pci/atiixp_modem.c
+++ b/sound/pci/atiixp_modem.c
@@ -1288,9 +1288,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_atiixp_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         struct atiixp_modem *chip;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "ATIIXP-MODEM");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "ATI IXP Modem");
diff --git a/sound/pci/au88x0/au88x0.c b/sound/pci/au88x0/au88x0.c
index a36d4d1fd419..9ec122383eef 100644
--- a/sound/pci/au88x0/au88x0.c
+++ b/sound/pci/au88x0/au88x0.c
@@ -250,9 +250,9 @@ snd_vortex_probe(struct pci_dev *pci, const struct pci_device_id *pci_id)
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
         // (2)
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         // (3)
         if ((err = snd_vortex_create(card, pci, &chip)) < 0) {
diff --git a/sound/pci/aw2/aw2-alsa.c b/sound/pci/aw2/aw2-alsa.c
index 3f00ddf450f8..eefcbf648ee1 100644
--- a/sound/pci/aw2/aw2-alsa.c
+++ b/sound/pci/aw2/aw2-alsa.c
@@ -368,9 +368,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_aw2_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         }
 
         /* (2) Create card instance */
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         /* (3) Create main component */
         err = snd_aw2_create(card, pci, &chip);
diff --git a/sound/pci/azt3328.c b/sound/pci/azt3328.c
index 333007c523a1..1df96e76c483 100644
--- a/sound/pci/azt3328.c
+++ b/sound/pci/azt3328.c
@@ -2216,9 +2216,9 @@ snd_azf3328_probe(struct pci_dev *pci, const struct pci_device_id *pci_id)
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "AZF3328");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "Aztech AZF3328 (PCI168)");
diff --git a/sound/pci/bt87x.c b/sound/pci/bt87x.c
index 1aa1c0402540..a299340519df 100644
--- a/sound/pci/bt87x.c
+++ b/sound/pci/bt87x.c
@@ -888,9 +888,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_bt87x_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         err = snd_bt87x_create(card, pci, &chip);
         if (err < 0)
diff --git a/sound/pci/ca0106/ca0106_main.c b/sound/pci/ca0106/ca0106_main.c
index 0e62205d4081..b116456e7707 100644
--- a/sound/pci/ca0106/ca0106_main.c
+++ b/sound/pci/ca0106/ca0106_main.c
@@ -1707,9 +1707,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_ca0106_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         err = snd_ca0106_create(dev, card, pci, &chip);
         if (err < 0)
diff --git a/sound/pci/cmipci.c b/sound/pci/cmipci.c
index 1a74ca62c314..c7899c32aba1 100644
--- a/sound/pci/cmipci.c
+++ b/sound/pci/cmipci.c
@@ -3272,9 +3272,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cmipci_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         
         switch (pci->device) {
         case PCI_DEVICE_ID_CMEDIA_CM8738:
diff --git a/sound/pci/cs4281.c b/sound/pci/cs4281.c
index 192e7842e181..b9b07f464631 100644
--- a/sound/pci/cs4281.c
+++ b/sound/pci/cs4281.c
@@ -1925,9 +1925,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cs4281_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if ((err = snd_cs4281_create(card, pci, &chip, dual_codec[dev])) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/pci/cs46xx/cs46xx.c b/sound/pci/cs46xx/cs46xx.c
index e876b3263e46..c9b3e3d48cbc 100644
--- a/sound/pci/cs46xx/cs46xx.c
+++ b/sound/pci/cs46xx/cs46xx.c
@@ -88,9 +88,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_cs46xx_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if ((err = snd_cs46xx_create(card, pci,
                                      external_amp[dev], thinkpad[dev],
                                      &chip)) < 0) {
diff --git a/sound/pci/cs5530.c b/sound/pci/cs5530.c
index 6dea5b5cc774..dc464321d0f3 100644
--- a/sound/pci/cs5530.c
+++ b/sound/pci/cs5530.c
@@ -258,10 +258,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_cs5530_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
 
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         err = snd_cs5530_create(card, pci, &chip);
         if (err < 0) {
diff --git a/sound/pci/cs5535audio/cs5535audio.c b/sound/pci/cs5535audio/cs5535audio.c
index 826e6dec2e97..ac1d72e0a1e4 100644
--- a/sound/pci/cs5535audio/cs5535audio.c
+++ b/sound/pci/cs5535audio/cs5535audio.c
@@ -353,9 +353,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_cs5535audio_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if ((err = snd_cs5535audio_create(card, pci, &cs5535au)) < 0)
                 goto probefail_out;
diff --git a/sound/pci/echoaudio/echoaudio.c b/sound/pci/echoaudio/echoaudio.c
index 8dbc5c4ba421..9d015a76eb69 100644
--- a/sound/pci/echoaudio/echoaudio.c
+++ b/sound/pci/echoaudio/echoaudio.c
@@ -1997,9 +1997,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_echo_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
 
         DE_INIT(("Echoaudio driver starting...\n"));
         i = 0;
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         snd_card_set_dev(card, &pci->dev);
 
diff --git a/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1.c b/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1.c
index 8354c1a83312..c7f3b994101c 100644
--- a/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1.c
+++ b/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1.c
@@ -114,9 +114,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_emu10k1_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if (max_buffer_size[dev] < 32)
                 max_buffer_size[dev] = 32;
         else if (max_buffer_size[dev] > 1024)
diff --git a/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1x.c b/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1x.c
index 5ff4dbb62dad..31542adc6b7e 100644
--- a/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1x.c
+++ b/sound/pci/emu10k1/emu10k1x.c
@@ -1544,9 +1544,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_emu10k1x_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if ((err = snd_emu10k1x_create(card, pci, &chip)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/pci/ens1370.c b/sound/pci/ens1370.c
index 9bf95367c882..e00614cbceff 100644
--- a/sound/pci/ens1370.c
+++ b/sound/pci/ens1370.c
@@ -2409,9 +2409,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_audiopci_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if ((err = snd_ensoniq_create(card, pci, &ensoniq)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/pci/es1938.c b/sound/pci/es1938.c
index 4cd9a1faaecc..34a78afc26d0 100644
--- a/sound/pci/es1938.c
+++ b/sound/pci/es1938.c
@@ -1799,9 +1799,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_es1938_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         for (idx = 0; idx < 5; idx++) {
                 if (pci_resource_start(pci, idx) == 0 ||
                     !(pci_resource_flags(pci, idx) & IORESOURCE_IO)) {
diff --git a/sound/pci/es1968.c b/sound/pci/es1968.c
index e9c3794bbcb8..dc97e8116141 100644
--- a/sound/pci/es1968.c
+++ b/sound/pci/es1968.c
@@ -2645,9 +2645,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_es1968_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
                 
         if (total_bufsize[dev] < 128)
                 total_bufsize[dev] = 128;
diff --git a/sound/pci/fm801.c b/sound/pci/fm801.c
index c129f9e2072c..60cdb9e0b68d 100644
--- a/sound/pci/fm801.c
+++ b/sound/pci/fm801.c
@@ -1468,9 +1468,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_fm801_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if ((err = snd_fm801_create(card, pci, tea575x_tuner[dev], &chip)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
                 return err;
diff --git a/sound/pci/hda/hda_intel.c b/sound/pci/hda/hda_intel.c
index 11e791b965f6..f9603443f086 100644
--- a/sound/pci/hda/hda_intel.c
+++ b/sound/pci/hda/hda_intel.c
@@ -2335,10 +2335,10 @@ static int __devinit azx_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!card) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 snd_printk(KERN_ERR SFX "Error creating card!\n");
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                return err;
         }
 
         err = azx_create(card, pci, dev, pci_id->driver_data, &chip);
diff --git a/sound/pci/ice1712/ice1712.c b/sound/pci/ice1712/ice1712.c
index 58d7cda03de5..bab1c700f497 100644
--- a/sound/pci/ice1712/ice1712.c
+++ b/sound/pci/ice1712/ice1712.c
@@ -2648,9 +2648,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_ice1712_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "ICE1712");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "ICEnsemble ICE1712");
diff --git a/sound/pci/ice1712/ice1724.c b/sound/pci/ice1712/ice1724.c
index bb8d8c766b9d..7ff36d3f0f44 100644
--- a/sound/pci/ice1712/ice1724.c
+++ b/sound/pci/ice1712/ice1724.c
@@ -2456,9 +2456,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_vt1724_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "ICE1724");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "ICEnsemble ICE1724");
diff --git a/sound/pci/intel8x0.c b/sound/pci/intel8x0.c
index 19d3391e229f..671ff65db029 100644
--- a/sound/pci/intel8x0.c
+++ b/sound/pci/intel8x0.c
@@ -3058,9 +3058,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_intel8x0_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         int err;
         struct shortname_table *name;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if (spdif_aclink < 0)
                 spdif_aclink = check_default_spdif_aclink(pci);
diff --git a/sound/pci/intel8x0m.c b/sound/pci/intel8x0m.c
index 93449e464566..33a843c19316 100644
--- a/sound/pci/intel8x0m.c
+++ b/sound/pci/intel8x0m.c
@@ -1269,9 +1269,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_intel8x0m_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         int err;
         struct shortname_table *name;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "ICH-MODEM");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "Intel ICH");
diff --git a/sound/pci/korg1212/korg1212.c b/sound/pci/korg1212/korg1212.c
index 5f8006b42750..8b79969034be 100644
--- a/sound/pci/korg1212/korg1212.c
+++ b/sound/pci/korg1212/korg1212.c
@@ -2443,9 +2443,9 @@ snd_korg1212_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 dev++;
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if ((err = snd_korg1212_create(card, pci, &korg1212)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
diff --git a/sound/pci/maestro3.c b/sound/pci/maestro3.c
index 59bbaf8f3e5b..70141548f251 100644
--- a/sound/pci/maestro3.c
+++ b/sound/pci/maestro3.c
@@ -2691,9 +2691,9 @@ snd_m3_probe(struct pci_dev *pci, const struct pci_device_id *pci_id)
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         switch (pci->device) {
         case PCI_DEVICE_ID_ESS_ALLEGRO:
diff --git a/sound/pci/mixart/mixart.c b/sound/pci/mixart/mixart.c
index f23a73577c22..bfc19e36c4b6 100644
--- a/sound/pci/mixart/mixart.c
+++ b/sound/pci/mixart/mixart.c
@@ -1365,12 +1365,12 @@ static int __devinit snd_mixart_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 else
                         idx = index[dev] + i;
                 snprintf(tmpid, sizeof(tmpid), "%s-%d", id[dev] ? id[dev] : "MIXART", i);
-                card = snd_card_new(idx, tmpid, THIS_MODULE, 0);
+                err = snd_card_create(idx, tmpid, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
 
-                if (! card) {
+                if (err < 0) {
                         snd_printk(KERN_ERR "cannot allocate the card %d\n", i);
                         snd_mixart_free(mgr);
-                        return -ENOMEM;
+                        return err;
                 }
 
                 strcpy(card->driver, CARD_NAME);
diff --git a/sound/pci/nm256/nm256.c b/sound/pci/nm256/nm256.c
index 50c9f8a05082..522a040855d4 100644
--- a/sound/pci/nm256/nm256.c
+++ b/sound/pci/nm256/nm256.c
@@ -1668,9 +1668,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_nm256_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 }
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         switch (pci->device) {
         case PCI_DEVICE_ID_NEOMAGIC_NM256AV_AUDIO:
diff --git a/sound/pci/oxygen/oxygen_lib.c b/sound/pci/oxygen/oxygen_lib.c
index 84f481d41efa..9c81e0b05113 100644
--- a/sound/pci/oxygen/oxygen_lib.c
+++ b/sound/pci/oxygen/oxygen_lib.c
@@ -459,10 +459,10 @@ int oxygen_pci_probe(struct pci_dev *pci, int index, char *id,
         struct oxygen *chip;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, model->owner,
-                            sizeof *chip + model->model_data_size);
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, model->owner,
+                              sizeof(*chip) + model->model_data_size, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         chip = card->private_data;
         chip->card = card;
diff --git a/sound/pci/pcxhr/pcxhr.c b/sound/pci/pcxhr/pcxhr.c
index 27cf2c28d113..7f95459c8b1f 100644
--- a/sound/pci/pcxhr/pcxhr.c
+++ b/sound/pci/pcxhr/pcxhr.c
@@ -1510,12 +1510,12 @@ static int __devinit pcxhr_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
 
                 snprintf(tmpid, sizeof(tmpid), "%s-%d",
                          id[dev] ? id[dev] : card_name, i);
-                card = snd_card_new(idx, tmpid, THIS_MODULE, 0);
+                err = snd_card_create(idx, tmpid, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
 
-                if (! card) {
+                if (err < 0) {
                         snd_printk(KERN_ERR "cannot allocate the card %d\n", i);
                         pcxhr_free(mgr);
-                        return -ENOMEM;
+                        return err;
                 }
 
                 strcpy(card->driver, DRIVER_NAME);
diff --git a/sound/pci/riptide/riptide.c b/sound/pci/riptide/riptide.c
index 3caacfb9d8e0..6f1034417a02 100644
--- a/sound/pci/riptide/riptide.c
+++ b/sound/pci/riptide/riptide.c
@@ -2102,9 +2102,9 @@ snd_card_riptide_probe(struct pci_dev *pci, const struct pci_device_id *pci_id)
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if ((err = snd_riptide_create(card, pci, &chip)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
                 return err;
diff --git a/sound/pci/rme32.c b/sound/pci/rme32.c
index e7ef3a1a25a8..d7b966e7c4cf 100644
--- a/sound/pci/rme32.c
+++ b/sound/pci/rme32.c
@@ -1941,9 +1941,10 @@ snd_rme32_probe(struct pci_dev *pci, const struct pci_device_id *pci_id)
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        if ((card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                                 sizeof(struct rme32))) == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct rme32), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         card->private_free = snd_rme32_card_free;
         rme32 = (struct rme32 *) card->private_data;
         rme32->card = card;
diff --git a/sound/pci/rme96.c b/sound/pci/rme96.c
index 3fdd488d0975..55fb1c131f58 100644
--- a/sound/pci/rme96.c
+++ b/sound/pci/rme96.c
@@ -2348,9 +2348,10 @@ snd_rme96_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 dev++;
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
-        if ((card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                                 sizeof(struct rme96))) == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct rme96), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         card->private_free = snd_rme96_card_free;
         rme96 = (struct rme96 *)card->private_data;     
         rme96->card = card;
diff --git a/sound/pci/rme9652/hdsp.c b/sound/pci/rme9652/hdsp.c
index 44d0c15e2b71..05b3f795a168 100644
--- a/sound/pci/rme9652/hdsp.c
+++ b/sound/pci/rme9652/hdsp.c
@@ -5158,8 +5158,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_hdsp_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        if (!(card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct hdsp))))
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct hdsp), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         hdsp = (struct hdsp *) card->private_data;
         card->private_free = snd_hdsp_card_free;
diff --git a/sound/pci/rme9652/hdspm.c b/sound/pci/rme9652/hdspm.c
index 71231cf1b2b0..d4b4e0d0fee8 100644
--- a/sound/pci/rme9652/hdspm.c
+++ b/sound/pci/rme9652/hdspm.c
@@ -4503,10 +4503,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_hdspm_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev],
-                            THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct hdspm));
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev],
+                              THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct hdspm), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         hdspm = card->private_data;
         card->private_free = snd_hdspm_card_free;
diff --git a/sound/pci/rme9652/rme9652.c b/sound/pci/rme9652/rme9652.c
index 2570907134d7..bc539abb2105 100644
--- a/sound/pci/rme9652/rme9652.c
+++ b/sound/pci/rme9652/rme9652.c
@@ -2594,11 +2594,11 @@ static int __devinit snd_rme9652_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_rme9652));
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_rme9652), &card);
 
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         rme9652 = (struct snd_rme9652 *) card->private_data;
         card->private_free = snd_rme9652_card_free;
diff --git a/sound/pci/sis7019.c b/sound/pci/sis7019.c
index df2007e3be7c..baf6d8e3dabc 100644
--- a/sound/pci/sis7019.c
+++ b/sound/pci/sis7019.c
@@ -1387,9 +1387,8 @@ static int __devinit snd_sis7019_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         if (!enable)
                 goto error_out;
 
-        rc = -ENOMEM;
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, sizeof(*sis));
-        if (!card)
+        rc = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, sizeof(*sis), &card);
+        if (rc < 0)
                 goto error_out;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "SiS7019");
diff --git a/sound/pci/sonicvibes.c b/sound/pci/sonicvibes.c
index cd408b86c839..c5601b0ad7cc 100644
--- a/sound/pci/sonicvibes.c
+++ b/sound/pci/sonicvibes.c
@@ -1423,9 +1423,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_sonic_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
  
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         for (idx = 0; idx < 5; idx++) {
                 if (pci_resource_start(pci, idx) == 0 ||
                     !(pci_resource_flags(pci, idx) & IORESOURCE_IO)) {
diff --git a/sound/pci/trident/trident.c b/sound/pci/trident/trident.c
index d94b16ffb385..21cef97d478d 100644
--- a/sound/pci/trident/trident.c
+++ b/sound/pci/trident/trident.c
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_trident_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if ((err = snd_trident_create(card, pci,
                                       pcm_channels[dev],
diff --git a/sound/pci/via82xx.c b/sound/pci/via82xx.c
index 1aafe956ee2b..d8705547dae1 100644
--- a/sound/pci/via82xx.c
+++ b/sound/pci/via82xx.c
@@ -2433,9 +2433,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_via82xx_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         unsigned int i;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         card_type = pci_id->driver_data;
         switch (card_type) {
diff --git a/sound/pci/via82xx_modem.c b/sound/pci/via82xx_modem.c
index 5bd79d2a5a15..c086b762c150 100644
--- a/sound/pci/via82xx_modem.c
+++ b/sound/pci/via82xx_modem.c
@@ -1167,9 +1167,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_via82xx_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
         unsigned int i;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         card_type = pci_id->driver_data;
         switch (card_type) {
diff --git a/sound/pci/vx222/vx222.c b/sound/pci/vx222/vx222.c
index acc352f4a441..fc9136c3e0d7 100644
--- a/sound/pci/vx222/vx222.c
+++ b/sound/pci/vx222/vx222.c
@@ -204,9 +204,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_vx222_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         switch ((int)pci_id->driver_data) {
         case VX_PCI_VX222_OLD:
diff --git a/sound/pci/ymfpci/ymfpci.c b/sound/pci/ymfpci/ymfpci.c
index 2631a554845e..4af66661f9b0 100644
--- a/sound/pci/ymfpci/ymfpci.c
+++ b/sound/pci/ymfpci/ymfpci.c
@@ -187,9 +187,9 @@ static int __devinit snd_card_ymfpci_probe(struct pci_dev *pci,
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         switch (pci_id->device) {
         case 0x0004: str = "YMF724";  model = "DS-1"; break;
diff --git a/sound/pcmcia/pdaudiocf/pdaudiocf.c b/sound/pcmcia/pdaudiocf/pdaudiocf.c
index 819aaaac432f..7dea74b71cf1 100644
--- a/sound/pcmcia/pdaudiocf/pdaudiocf.c
+++ b/sound/pcmcia/pdaudiocf/pdaudiocf.c
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ static int snd_pdacf_dev_free(struct snd_device *device)
  */
 static int snd_pdacf_probe(struct pcmcia_device *link)
 {
-        int i;
+        int i, err;
         struct snd_pdacf *pdacf;
         struct snd_card *card;
         static struct snd_device_ops ops = {
@@ -112,20 +112,23 @@ static int snd_pdacf_probe(struct pcmcia_device *link)
                 return -ENODEV; /* disabled explicitly */
 
         /* ok, create a card instance */
-        card = snd_card_new(index[i], id[i], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index[i], id[i], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 snd_printk(KERN_ERR "pdacf: cannot create a card instance\n");
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                return err;
         }
 
         pdacf = snd_pdacf_create(card);
-        if (! pdacf)
-                return -EIO;
+        if (!pdacf) {
+                snd_card_free(card);
+                return -ENOMEM;
+        }
 
-        if (snd_device_new(card, SNDRV_DEV_LOWLEVEL, pdacf, &ops) < 0) {
+        err = snd_device_new(card, SNDRV_DEV_LOWLEVEL, pdacf, &ops);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 kfree(pdacf);
                 snd_card_free(card);
-                return -ENODEV;
+                return err;
         }
 
         snd_card_set_dev(card, &handle_to_dev(link));
diff --git a/sound/pcmcia/vx/vxpocket.c b/sound/pcmcia/vx/vxpocket.c
index 706602a40600..7445cc8a47d3 100644
--- a/sound/pcmcia/vx/vxpocket.c
+++ b/sound/pcmcia/vx/vxpocket.c
@@ -130,23 +130,26 @@ static struct snd_vx_hardware vxp440_hw = {
 /*
  * create vxpocket instance
  */
-static struct snd_vxpocket *snd_vxpocket_new(struct snd_card *card, int ibl,
-                                             struct pcmcia_device *link)
+static int snd_vxpocket_new(struct snd_card *card, int ibl,
+                            struct pcmcia_device *link,
+                            struct snd_vxpocket **chip_ret)
 {
         struct vx_core *chip;
         struct snd_vxpocket *vxp;
         static struct snd_device_ops ops = {
                 .dev_free =     snd_vxpocket_dev_free,
         };
+        int err;
 
         chip = snd_vx_create(card, &vxpocket_hw, &snd_vxpocket_ops,
                              sizeof(struct snd_vxpocket) - sizeof(struct vx_core));
-        if (! chip)
-                return NULL;
+        if (!chip)
+                return -ENOMEM;
 
-        if (snd_device_new(card, SNDRV_DEV_LOWLEVEL, chip, &ops) < 0) {
+        err = snd_device_new(card, SNDRV_DEV_LOWLEVEL, chip, &ops);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 kfree(chip);
-                return NULL;
+                return err;
         }
         chip->ibl.size = ibl;
 
@@ -169,7 +172,8 @@ static struct snd_vxpocket *snd_vxpocket_new(struct snd_card *card, int ibl,
         link->conf.ConfigIndex = 1;
         link->conf.Present = PRESENT_OPTION;
 
-        return vxp;
+        *chip_ret = vxp;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 
@@ -292,7 +296,7 @@ static int vxpocket_probe(struct pcmcia_device *p_dev)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_vxpocket *vxp;
-        int i;
+        int i, err;
 
         /* find an empty slot from the card list */
         for (i = 0; i < SNDRV_CARDS; i++) {
@@ -307,16 +311,16 @@ static int vxpocket_probe(struct pcmcia_device *p_dev)
                 return -ENODEV; /* disabled explicitly */
 
         /* ok, create a card instance */
-        card = snd_card_new(index[i], id[i], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index[i], id[i], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 snd_printk(KERN_ERR "vxpocket: cannot create a card instance\n");
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                return err;
         }
 
-        vxp = snd_vxpocket_new(card, ibl[i], p_dev);
-        if (! vxp) {
+        err = snd_vxpocket_new(card, ibl[i], p_dev, &vxp);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
-                return -ENODEV;
+                return err;
         }
         card->private_data = vxp;
 
diff --git a/sound/ppc/powermac.c b/sound/ppc/powermac.c
index c936225771ba..2e18ed0ea899 100644
--- a/sound/ppc/powermac.c
+++ b/sound/ppc/powermac.c
@@ -58,9 +58,9 @@ static int __init snd_pmac_probe(struct platform_device *devptr)
         char *name_ext;
         int err;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         if ((err = snd_pmac_new(card, &chip)) < 0)
                 goto __error;
diff --git a/sound/ppc/snd_ps3.c b/sound/ppc/snd_ps3.c
index ff321110ec02..f361c26506aa 100644
--- a/sound/ppc/snd_ps3.c
+++ b/sound/ppc/snd_ps3.c
@@ -969,11 +969,9 @@ static int __init snd_ps3_driver_probe(struct ps3_system_bus_device *dev)
         }
 
         /* create card instance */
-        the_card.card = snd_card_new(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (!the_card.card) {
-                ret = -ENXIO;
+        ret = snd_card_create(index, id, THIS_MODULE, 0, &the_card.card);
+        if (ret < 0)
                 goto clean_irq;
-        }
 
         strcpy(the_card.card->driver, "PS3");
         strcpy(the_card.card->shortname, "PS3");
diff --git a/sound/sh/aica.c b/sound/sh/aica.c
index 7c920f3e7fe3..f551233c5a08 100644
--- a/sound/sh/aica.c
+++ b/sound/sh/aica.c
@@ -609,11 +609,11 @@ static int __devinit snd_aica_probe(struct platform_device *devptr)
         dreamcastcard = kmalloc(sizeof(struct snd_card_aica), GFP_KERNEL);
         if (unlikely(!dreamcastcard))
                 return -ENOMEM;
-        dreamcastcard->card =
-            snd_card_new(index, SND_AICA_DRIVER, THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (unlikely(!dreamcastcard->card)) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index, SND_AICA_DRIVER, THIS_MODULE, 0,
+                              &dreamcastcard->card);
+        if (unlikely(err < 0)) {
                 kfree(dreamcastcard);
-                return -ENODEV;
+                return err;
         }
         strcpy(dreamcastcard->card->driver, "snd_aica");
         strcpy(dreamcastcard->card->shortname, SND_AICA_DRIVER);
diff --git a/sound/soc/soc-core.c b/sound/soc/soc-core.c
index 55fdb4abb179..8592d95023ed 100644
--- a/sound/soc/soc-core.c
+++ b/sound/soc/soc-core.c
@@ -1311,17 +1311,17 @@ int snd_soc_new_pcms(struct snd_soc_device *socdev, int idx, const char *xid)
 {
         struct snd_soc_codec *codec = socdev->codec;
         struct snd_soc_card *card = socdev->card;
-        int ret = 0, i;
+        int ret, i;
 
         mutex_lock(&codec->mutex);
 
         /* register a sound card */
-        codec->card = snd_card_new(idx, xid, codec->owner, 0);
-        if (!codec->card) {
+        ret = snd_card_create(idx, xid, codec->owner, 0, &codec->card);
+        if (ret < 0) {
                 printk(KERN_ERR "asoc: can't create sound card for codec %s\n",
                         codec->name);
                 mutex_unlock(&codec->mutex);
-                return -ENODEV;
+                return ret;
         }
 
         codec->card->dev = socdev->dev;
diff --git a/sound/sparc/amd7930.c b/sound/sparc/amd7930.c
index f87933e48812..ba38912614b4 100644
--- a/sound/sparc/amd7930.c
+++ b/sound/sparc/amd7930.c
@@ -1018,9 +1018,10 @@ static int __devinit amd7930_sbus_probe(struct of_device *op, const struct of_de
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev_num], id[dev_num], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev_num], id[dev_num], THIS_MODULE, 0,
+                              &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "AMD7930");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "Sun AMD7930");
diff --git a/sound/sparc/cs4231.c b/sound/sparc/cs4231.c
index 41c387587474..7d93fa705ccf 100644
--- a/sound/sparc/cs4231.c
+++ b/sound/sparc/cs4231.c
@@ -1563,6 +1563,7 @@ static int __init cs4231_attach_begin(struct snd_card **rcard)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_cs4231 *chip;
+        int err;
 
         *rcard = NULL;
 
@@ -1574,10 +1575,10 @@ static int __init cs4231_attach_begin(struct snd_card **rcard)
                 return -ENOENT;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_cs4231));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_cs4231), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "CS4231");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "Sun CS4231");
diff --git a/sound/sparc/dbri.c b/sound/sparc/dbri.c
index 23ed6f04a718..af95ff1e126c 100644
--- a/sound/sparc/dbri.c
+++ b/sound/sparc/dbri.c
@@ -2612,10 +2612,10 @@ static int __devinit dbri_probe(struct of_device *op, const struct of_device_id
                 return -ENODEV;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct snd_dbri));
-        if (card == NULL)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct snd_dbri), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         strcpy(card->driver, "DBRI");
         strcpy(card->shortname, "Sun DBRI");
diff --git a/sound/spi/at73c213.c b/sound/spi/at73c213.c
index 09802e8a6fb8..4c7b051f9d17 100644
--- a/sound/spi/at73c213.c
+++ b/sound/spi/at73c213.c
@@ -965,12 +965,11 @@ static int __devinit snd_at73c213_probe(struct spi_device *spi)
                 return PTR_ERR(board->dac_clk);
         }
 
-        retval = -ENOMEM;
-
         /* Allocate "card" using some unused identifiers. */
         snprintf(id, sizeof id, "at73c213_%d", board->ssc_id);
-        card = snd_card_new(-1, id, THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct snd_at73c213));
-        if (!card)
+        retval = snd_card_create(-1, id, THIS_MODULE,
+                                 sizeof(struct snd_at73c213), &card);
+        if (retval < 0)
                 goto out;
 
         chip = card->private_data;
diff --git a/sound/usb/caiaq/caiaq-device.c b/sound/usb/caiaq/caiaq-device.c
index 41c36b055f6b..09aed2363cc9 100644
--- a/sound/usb/caiaq/caiaq-device.c
+++ b/sound/usb/caiaq/caiaq-device.c
@@ -336,9 +336,10 @@ static void __devinit setup_card(struct snd_usb_caiaqdev *dev)
                 log("Unable to set up control system (ret=%d)\n", ret);
 }
 
-static struct snd_card* create_card(struct usb_device* usb_dev)
+static int create_card(struct usb_device* usb_dev, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         int devnum;
+        int err;
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct snd_usb_caiaqdev *dev;
 
@@ -347,12 +348,12 @@ static struct snd_card* create_card(struct usb_device* usb_dev)
                         break;
 
         if (devnum >= SNDRV_CARDS)
-                return NULL;
+                return -ENODEV;
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[devnum], id[devnum], THIS_MODULE, 
-                                        sizeof(struct snd_usb_caiaqdev));
-        if (!card)
-                return NULL;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[devnum], id[devnum], THIS_MODULE, 
+                              sizeof(struct snd_usb_caiaqdev), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
         dev = caiaqdev(card);
         dev->chip.dev = usb_dev;
@@ -362,7 +363,8 @@ static struct snd_card* create_card(struct usb_device* usb_dev)
         spin_lock_init(&dev->spinlock);
         snd_card_set_dev(card, &usb_dev->dev);
 
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int __devinit init_card(struct snd_usb_caiaqdev *dev)
@@ -441,10 +443,10 @@ static int __devinit snd_probe(struct usb_interface *intf,
         struct snd_card *card;
         struct usb_device *device = interface_to_usbdev(intf);
         
-        card = create_card(device);
+        ret = create_card(device, &card);
         
-        if (!card)
-                return -ENOMEM;
+        if (ret < 0)
+                return ret;
                         
         usb_set_intfdata(intf, card);
         ret = init_card(caiaqdev(card));
diff --git a/sound/usb/usbaudio.c b/sound/usb/usbaudio.c
index c709b9563226..eec32e1a3020 100644
--- a/sound/usb/usbaudio.c
+++ b/sound/usb/usbaudio.c
@@ -3463,10 +3463,10 @@ static int snd_usb_audio_create(struct usb_device *dev, int idx,
                 return -ENXIO;
         }
 
-        card = snd_card_new(index[idx], id[idx], THIS_MODULE, 0);
-        if (card == NULL) {
+        err = snd_card_create(index[idx], id[idx], THIS_MODULE, 0, &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
                 snd_printk(KERN_ERR "cannot create card instance %d\n", idx);
-                return -ENOMEM;
+                return err;
         }
 
         chip = kzalloc(sizeof(*chip), GFP_KERNEL);
diff --git a/sound/usb/usx2y/us122l.c b/sound/usb/usx2y/us122l.c
index 73e59f4403a4..98276aafefe6 100644
--- a/sound/usb/usx2y/us122l.c
+++ b/sound/usb/usx2y/us122l.c
@@ -478,19 +478,21 @@ static bool us122l_create_card(struct snd_card *card)
         return true;
 }
 
-static struct snd_card *usx2y_create_card(struct usb_device *device)
+static int usx2y_create_card(struct usb_device *device, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         int             dev;
         struct snd_card *card;
+        int err;
+
         for (dev = 0; dev < SNDRV_CARDS; ++dev)
                 if (enable[dev] && !snd_us122l_card_used[dev])
                         break;
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
-                return NULL;
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
-                            sizeof(struct us122l));
-        if (!card)
-                return NULL;
+                return -ENODEV;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct us122l), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         snd_us122l_card_used[US122L(card)->chip.index = dev] = 1;
 
         US122L(card)->chip.dev = device;
@@ -509,46 +511,57 @@ static struct snd_card *usx2y_create_card(struct usb_device *device)
                 US122L(card)->chip.dev->devnum
                 );
         snd_card_set_dev(card, &device->dev);
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
-static void *us122l_usb_probe(struct usb_interface *intf,
-                              const struct usb_device_id *device_id)
+static int us122l_usb_probe(struct usb_interface *intf,
+                            const struct usb_device_id *device_id,
+                            struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         struct usb_device *device = interface_to_usbdev(intf);
-        struct snd_card *card = usx2y_create_card(device);
+        struct snd_card *card;
+        int err;
 
-        if (!card)
-                return NULL;
+        err = usx2y_create_card(device, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
 
-        if (!us122l_create_card(card) ||
-            snd_card_register(card) < 0) {
+        if (!us122l_create_card(card)) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
-                return NULL;
+                return -EINVAL;
+        }
+
+        err = snd_card_register(card);
+        if (err < 0) {
+                snd_card_free(card);
+                return err;
         }
 
         usb_get_dev(device);
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static int snd_us122l_probe(struct usb_interface *intf,
                             const struct usb_device_id *id)
 {
         struct snd_card *card;
+        int err;
+
         snd_printdd(KERN_DEBUG"%p:%i\n",
                     intf, intf->cur_altsetting->desc.bInterfaceNumber);
         if (intf->cur_altsetting->desc.bInterfaceNumber != 1)
                 return 0;
 
-        card = us122l_usb_probe(usb_get_intf(intf), id);
-
-        if (card) {
-                usb_set_intfdata(intf, card);
-                return 0;
+        err = us122l_usb_probe(usb_get_intf(intf), id, &card);
+        if (err < 0) {
+                usb_put_intf(intf);
+                return err;
         }
 
-        usb_put_intf(intf);
-        return -EIO;
+        usb_set_intfdata(intf, card);
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static void snd_us122l_disconnect(struct usb_interface *intf)
diff --git a/sound/usb/usx2y/usbusx2y.c b/sound/usb/usx2y/usbusx2y.c
index 11639bd72a51..af8b84954054 100644
--- a/sound/usb/usx2y/usbusx2y.c
+++ b/sound/usb/usx2y/usbusx2y.c
@@ -333,18 +333,21 @@ static struct usb_device_id snd_usX2Y_usb_id_table[] = {
         { /* terminator */ }
 };
 
-static struct snd_card *usX2Y_create_card(struct usb_device *device)
+static int usX2Y_create_card(struct usb_device *device, struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         int             dev;
         struct snd_card *       card;
+        int err;
+
         for (dev = 0; dev < SNDRV_CARDS; ++dev)
                 if (enable[dev] && !snd_usX2Y_card_used[dev])
                         break;
         if (dev >= SNDRV_CARDS)
-                return NULL;
-        card = snd_card_new(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE, sizeof(struct usX2Ydev));
-        if (!card)
-                return NULL;
+                return -ENODEV;
+        err = snd_card_create(index[dev], id[dev], THIS_MODULE,
+                              sizeof(struct usX2Ydev), &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         snd_usX2Y_card_used[usX2Y(card)->chip.index = dev] = 1;
         card->private_free = snd_usX2Y_card_private_free;
         usX2Y(card)->chip.dev = device;
@@ -362,26 +365,36 @@ static struct snd_card *usX2Y_create_card(struct usb_device *device)
                 usX2Y(card)->chip.dev->bus->busnum, usX2Y(card)->chip.dev->devnum
                 );
         snd_card_set_dev(card, &device->dev);
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 
-static void *usX2Y_usb_probe(struct usb_device *device, struct usb_interface *intf, const struct usb_device_id *device_id)
+static int usX2Y_usb_probe(struct usb_device *device,
+                           struct usb_interface *intf,
+                           const struct usb_device_id *device_id,
+                           struct snd_card **cardp)
 {
         int             err;
         struct snd_card *       card;
+
+        *cardp = NULL;
         if (le16_to_cpu(device->descriptor.idVendor) != 0x1604 ||
             (le16_to_cpu(device->descriptor.idProduct) != USB_ID_US122 &&
              le16_to_cpu(device->descriptor.idProduct) != USB_ID_US224 &&
-             le16_to_cpu(device->descriptor.idProduct) != USB_ID_US428) ||
-            !(card = usX2Y_create_card(device)))
-                return NULL;
+             le16_to_cpu(device->descriptor.idProduct) != USB_ID_US428))
+                return -EINVAL;
+
+        err = usX2Y_create_card(device, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
         if ((err = usX2Y_hwdep_new(card, device)) < 0  ||
             (err = snd_card_register(card)) < 0) {
                 snd_card_free(card);
-                return NULL;
+                return err;
         }
-        return card;
+        *cardp = card;
+        return 0;
 }
 
 /*
@@ -389,13 +402,14 @@ static void *usX2Y_usb_probe(struct usb_device *device, struct usb_interface *in
  */
 static int snd_usX2Y_probe(struct usb_interface *intf, const struct usb_device_id *id)
 {
-        void *chip;
-        chip = usX2Y_usb_probe(interface_to_usbdev(intf), intf, id);
-        if (chip) {
-                usb_set_intfdata(intf, chip);
-                return 0;
-        } else
-                return -EIO;
+        struct snd_card *card;
+        int err;
+
+        err = usX2Y_usb_probe(interface_to_usbdev(intf), intf, id, &card);
+        if (err < 0)
+                return err;
+        dev_set_drvdata(&intf->dev, card);
+        return 0;
 }
 
 static void snd_usX2Y_disconnect(struct usb_interface *intf)