what modem model (56k) are you using?
 

that's it

I was using a Swannsmart external 56k modem (an Australian model/manufacturer) until last week when I got ADSL installed ;) My old 56k modem must have lasted me at least 5 years though.

I used to have an internal US robotics modem when I lived in the States. It was a hardware modem (it retailed for $US80, which is how you can tell), and it worked sweet (ie, kernel driver support.)

Any external modem with a serial connection should work fine with Linux. It's only some external USB and most internal modems that don't work. Make sure you have a "hardware" modem and you'll be fine. (I assume that's why you ask)

Cheers,
Tim

whats a hardware modem? i have an external one but it says bad init string help

huhuhu please help me! i want to get out of my windows shell!

A lot of internal modems have much of their functionality in software under windoze. These are known as winmodems not much use under linux. Drivers for some are available. I always recomend an external modem, all functions in hardware no problem whatever os.

but what about in my case... nobody could help me with my modem problems it says "bad init string" waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

Hey sweet*amber,

Can you give us an idea of what sort of model modem you're using? If you know your specific make and model, that'd be a great starting point:)

Modems have always been a sore point with Linux, so thankfully there's a lot of documentation on the internet about what works and what doesn't. If you can nail down your make/model, let us know and/or google the name at www.google.com/linux

"Bad Init String" sounds like it detects something, but can't talk to it. This is probably good -- the bad news is when your system wont detect the modem ;)

Cheers,
Tim

I couldn't get my winmodem working either. It would detect it but there was no script for it. I have an internal LT winmodem, but while at Goodwill I found a CE 0197X for $5. Mandrake 9.2 had a driver for it. Works for now. :)