Ext Modem driving me nuts!

burroughs · 03-19-2005, 08:52 AM

Here is the problem! I was trying to install Slack 10.1 and my modem was there then gone. Will not intitalize. Hangs at ATZ or ATM. After all that I went back to SuSE and it worked. I have since tried installing RedHat 9 and it can't find the modem, even though it shows it being scanned during boot. One time during an attempt to set it up it did dial my ISP but promply locked up and only would release the phone by shutdown. Next discovery. When Slack or Redhat has modem problems Suse won't dial out until I run W98 and dial out. then SuSe is back. Appearantly W98 is doing something to reset the Modem that Linux does not.
**note** My drives are in a Swap tray and system is always turned off between boots of different OS so even power down does not clear the modem!!

fancypiper · 03-19-2005, 10:44 PM

USB or serial port modem?

# Modem and connection troubleshooting
WinModems and Linux
Modem HOWTO
Modem NHFs
Linmodems.org
Conexant/Rockwell modem HOWTO
The Unofficial PCTel Linux Driver page
I finaly got my PcTel hsp56 mr modem to work
PcTel PCT789 Compilation in Fedora Core 1
Linux driver for Winmodems with Lucent Apollo (ISA) and Mars (PCI) chipsets
Lucent AMR modem listed as an Intel AC'97 - Smart Link Modems
The kppp Handbook
Dial-up Networking Configuration Using KDE's Kppp
Troubleshooting ISP Connection Problems
Connecting to AOL with Linux

# Configuring a real hardware pci modem
To configure a pci modem, open an x terminal and su - to the root account:

Code:

[fancy@tinwhistle fancy]$ su -
Password: 
[root@tinwhistle root]# cat /proc/pci

Look for your modem in the returned list. Look for something similar to mine:

Code:

  Bus  2, device   2, function  0:
    Communication controller: PCI device 151f:0000 (TOPIC SEMICONDUCTOR Corp) (rev 0).
      IRQ 5.
      I/O at 0xc400 [0xc407].

With this info, I use the setserial command:

Code:

[root@tinwhistle root]# setserial /dev/ttyS2 irq 5 port 0xc400 uart 16550a

Then I test the modem with the internet connection wizard and it works. I edit /etc/rc.d/rc.local and enter the setserial command:

Code:

[root@tinwhistle root]# pico -w /etc/rc.d/rc.local

My file for an example

Code:

#!/bin/sh
# Redhat /etc/rc.d/rc.local file
# This script will be executed *after* all the other init scripts.
# You can put your own initialization stuff in here if you don't
# want to do the full Sys V style init stuff.

touch /var/lock/subsys/local
# configure modem
setserial /dev/ttyS2 irq 5 port 0xc400 uart 16550a

Now, it remains configured after a reboot.

burroughs · 03-19-2005, 10:50 PM

it is serial. /dev/ttys0 (com1)

fancypiper · 03-19-2005, 10:59 PM

Try using /dev/ttyS0 (capital ess zero)

burroughs · 03-20-2005, 07:54 AM

I know. that was just my typing ing the reply. When I select the options in the setup it the "s" is Capitalized. I think the handling of the serial port on this particular MB is the problem. I do no believe the modem has static memory and also I have used this one for years and never experienced this problem before. What really bugs me is how W98 will clear the problem and SuSE will work but if i remove the drive that was giving the problem and go straight to the SuSE drive it will not initialize the modem. But! , if I take out the Slack or RH put in W98 it will work, take out the W98 and put in SuSE then it will work. Seems to me Slack and RH and messing up the ttyS0 port.

fancypiper · 03-20-2005, 10:59 AM

Perhaps it is looking for /dev/modem. If so, try this as root:

ln -sf /dev/ttyS0 /dev/modem

burroughs · 03-20-2005, 11:52 PM

Well so much for the last idea I had. I install Slack 10.1 again on different drive, new install, different MoBo&CPU. This time A GigaByte GA-7ZMMH with Athlon 1200, 512M , same modem. Got same result. Gets Modem Ready but hangs on ATZ command when try to connect. Same thing under Terminal entry. I do get some lights blinking on the modem before it hangs so there is some communications. If I run Query Modem on KPPP configure I get good communications with modem. Shutdown and reboot under W98 and here I am. I am lost!! Why does one distro work and no other???? I have tried all suggestions of reconfiguration from command line and no help.