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Old 07-05-2006, 08:24 PM   #1
vern2618
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Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Mpls, Minnesota
Distribution: Fedora Core 5
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Fedroa 5 internet problems


I just installed my 1st linux! Fedora core 5.
i cannot get a connection to my actiontec/ Qwest modem useing the usb wire, the usb ports work with other things. I have had it online a couple times useing the ethernet port, but then it quits working. any ideas or is there a easier linux to play with? My machines are on 24/7 running BOINC programs. Thank you for any input.
 
Old 07-05-2006, 08:45 PM   #2
JimBass
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Registered: Oct 2003
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Linux and USB modems don't get along very well. They can work, it isn't impossible, but most fail under *nix. Here is one listing on an Actiontec router that sounds like yours and works http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/sh...t=1350&cat=all
I would connect through the ethernet, as that works much better than a USB connection most of the time. The device should give an address to your machine through DHCP, so it should be default just "work"

Connect through the ethernet cable, then please post the output of /sbin/ifconfig. It should give you your address and such. Try and ping the gateway, and if that succeeds, ping any address out in public.

Peace,
JimBass
 
Old 07-06-2006, 02:51 PM   #3
vern2618
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Distribution: Fedora Core 5
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As of this morning it will connect to some sites,if i enter them into the address bar, but most of the time and every time I search i get the page that tells me the connection has timed out. It seem that something is blocking it. I got to a yahoo seach page 1 time but it would go nowhere from there.I have set my preferences to allow popups/ cookies, ect. i can connect to all the fedora home page links on the web browser. I would post the output, but i cannot get to this site from that computer. but it looks like everything is ok on there. Yes that is my router.
Could firefox be messing with it? What should its settings be?
Thank you for any more ideas. Vern
 
Old 07-06-2006, 06:17 PM   #4
JimBass
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That sounds like a problem with the DNS. I would edit /etc/resolv.conf as root. Often, a DHCP address will include some nonesense line like "search earthlink.net" or some such garbage. If you have a search line, just erase it. There should be at least one line that starts with nameserver. That should be the first line of your file. Mine for example reads:

Code:
nameserver 207.69.188.186
nameserver 207.69.188.185
nameserver 207.69.188.187
I suggest you use your ISP's real nameservers, and not the one built into your router, as those seem to be very good at screwing up a very simple job.

Nothing on your machine is at all likely to be blocked. Your ISP won't support linux most likely, but there really is little they could or would do to you when you choose to run it. The browser can have it's own problems, so to check net connection, I usually just ping yahoo or google, both of which will respond. If you get an "unknown host" error, your DNS is down for some reason.

Peace,
JimBass
 
Old 07-06-2006, 09:17 PM   #5
pixellany
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I would not recommend changing distros to solve a specific issue--especially something so generica as the internet connection.

If you get serious about Linux, you might want to consider Broadband---DSL is getting pretty cheap lately.

Lastly, when you use a router, Linux is happy, and your ISP never knows the difference. BTW, when you talk to the tech support people, try to avoid mentioning Linux---just in case they need an excuse not to help you.
 
Old 07-07-2006, 05:20 AM   #6
Merlin Whitewolf
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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: Cookeville, Tennessee
Distribution: Fedora Core 5 and PCLinuxOS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vern2618
I just installed my 1st linux! Fedora core 5.
i cannot get a connection to my actiontec/ Qwest modem useing the usb wire, the usb ports work with other things. I have had it online a couple times useing the ethernet port, but then it quits working. any ideas or is there a easier linux to play with? My machines are on 24/7 running BOINC programs. Thank you for any input.
This isn't likely to be a problem with Fedora. Check your router's configuration settings. If you can use an ethernet cable, it would be better, IMO, than a usb cable.
Fedora was the first distro I tried, a few months ago, and it is still on my machine. Though I have checked out several of the "newbie friendly" distros, none have worked as well or been as fast as Fedora. That isn't to be taken as denigration of them. Fedora is just better to get started on, I think. It doesn't overwhelm you with the need to know a lot of commands, yet it does require some input to get it configured for your computer and connection. It has the right balance of ease of use and need to know/learn to get started on.
Stick with Fedora for a while. Check it out fully. If you want, try dual booting another distro, like PCLinuxOS or Ubuntu, but keep Fedora. You'll be glad you did, I think.

The option of which distro to use is, of course, your decision. I'm sure you chose Fedora for a reason. The choice is yours, but I would reccommend that you stick with it and learn how to solve your problem. Going to another distro may work out for you, or it may just bring another set of issues to deal with.

-Merlin (Respectfully opinionated )
 
Old 07-07-2006, 06:06 AM   #7
vern2618
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Thank you for all the input. I am willing to learn on Fedora! I tried to edit the way Jim said, as Root and not Root either way it says PERMISSION DENIED. Any Ideas?Lucky I learned what ROOT is yesterday. LOL
 
Old 07-08-2006, 08:15 AM   #8
Merlin Whitewolf
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vern2618
Thank you for all the input. I am willing to learn on Fedora! I tried to edit the way Jim said, as Root and not Root either way it says PERMISSION DENIED. Any Ideas?Lucky I learned what ROOT is yesterday. LOL
To sign in as superuser (that's like being root without logging out of user) in Fedora, open a terminal and code --
'su -'
without the single quotes. (The '-' is an important part of this.) You will be prompted for root password. Enter it and then do the things you need to do.
If you can't get what you need to do done as su, log out as user and log in as username 'root' with the root password.It is important that you log out of root as soon as you complete your task.

BTW, have you checked your router? If you're using one that is. When I was still using windows, I was constantly having problems with my internet connection. It varied some, but I had to reset my router several times a day. It has worked fine with Fedora. Try resetting your router by unplugging its electrical connection, then leave it off for a couple of minutes and then reconnect the electricity. Do the same with your modem. Leave it unplugged for at least two minutes. Turn off your computer while you reset your modem. After you have reconnected your modem and it has gone through its set up process (there sould be some lights flashing on it during set up), turn on your computer.
Some modems need to be reset any time a new computer is added to a network, apparently. Here we have 3. After adding the third computer, the modem had to be reset. Adding Fedora to your network may appear to be adding a computer to your modem. Likewise with your router, it may need the reset to adjust itself to a new OS.
Let me know how this works out for you.

I was once told, "Check the simple things first." The reset may take care of your problems. I hope it will.

-Merlin
 
Old 07-09-2006, 02:42 AM   #9
chochobi
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Registered: Jul 2006
Distribution: Fedora Core 5
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Hi, im a linux noob too. Ive just installed my fedora last week and i have the same problem about my internet connection. Im using a router. I can access the browser page but i cant access other page than that.. i manage to load up firefox startup page once.. n thats it... luckily i can dual boot and access the internet using my windows to find some help.. i hope someone in here can help me.. i really need the connection since i dont know anything yet about linux and im installing my fedora using a guide i found on the internet.. and a lot of stuff in there requires me to have a working internet connection..
 
Old 07-09-2006, 12:43 PM   #10
vern2618
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Thumbs up

I booted up my 'puter this morning to start messing with stuff again, And guess what? You got it! It works now!
I found a thread about the same problem at http://www.redhat.com/archives/rhl-l.../msg00304.html
Did not try that 1,So I tried to update my firmware and got a page of gobbely gop, not a download. So i called Qwest and said that They pulled that update last week! ARRGGHHH! and they said they had a bug in it. So they pulled it, Or they found out it enabled linux. I told the tech person Windoze xp was acting up, I did not reset the modem or anything else they told me to do, I just find it strange that it started working after i talked to them.
The Almighty SuperUser must be watching over me! LOL
Big Thanks 4 all your time I feel have learned alot already. now for some so i can learn how to install the programs that i downloaded , I might be back soon! Thanx again. Vern
 
Old 07-10-2006, 06:19 AM   #11
pr0fu
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Registered: Jul 2006
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Hi. I installed my first Linux distribution Fedora Core 5. And I don't know how to connect to the Internet. I have a DSL connection. with user name and password. Please help me with that if you know how.
 
Old 07-10-2006, 07:32 AM   #12
vern2618
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Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Mpls, Minnesota
Distribution: Fedora Core 5
Posts: 6

Original Poster
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These folks are great. I suggest starting your own post, easier for all concerned. Good Luck!
 
Old 07-10-2006, 10:07 AM   #13
chochobi
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Registered: Jul 2006
Distribution: Fedora Core 5
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my problem just got worse.. my fedora stuck during boot up.. something regarding starting email something... its stuck there because of my internet connection problem.. so now i couldnt use it.. or even log on to it to do anything about it... anyone here plz help...
 
Old 07-10-2006, 01:04 PM   #14
Merlin Whitewolf
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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: Cookeville, Tennessee
Distribution: Fedora Core 5 and PCLinuxOS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vern2618
I booted up my 'puter this morning to start messing with stuff again, And guess what? You got it! It works now!
I found a thread about the same problem at http://www.redhat.com/archives/rhl-l.../msg00304.html
Did not try that 1,So I tried to update my firmware and got a page of gobbely gop, not a download. So i called Qwest and said that They pulled that update last week! ARRGGHHH! and they said they had a bug in it. So they pulled it, Or they found out it enabled linux. I told the tech person Windoze xp was acting up, I did not reset the modem or anything else they told me to do, I just find it strange that it started working after i talked to them.
The Almighty SuperUser must be watching over me! LOL
Big Thanks 4 all your time I feel have learned alot already. now for some so i can learn how to install the programs that i downloaded , I might be back soon! Thanx again. Vern
Don't fear to talk with your tech support people about using Linux or any other Open Source software. Last year I called my ISP's tech support with a problem with my modem. While I was talking with them, I mentioned that their homepage wasn't working right in firefox. Within two days, it was fixed. A few months ago, I talked with the tech again. He admitted to knowing nothing about Linux and was pleased that I could make suggestions as to resources for them. My modem has actually worked better with Linux than it ever did with Windows. I no longer have to reboot the modem once a month.
Most techs are happy to hear of new resources. Sharing with them can lead to improved services.

-Merlin
 
Old 07-10-2006, 01:11 PM   #15
Merlin Whitewolf
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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: Cookeville, Tennessee
Distribution: Fedora Core 5 and PCLinuxOS
Posts: 75

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Quote:
Originally Posted by pr0fu
Hi. I installed my first Linux distribution Fedora Core 5. And I don't know how to connect to the Internet. I have a DSL connection. with user name and password. Please help me with that if you know how.
Do you mean you have a username and password that you login with to connect to the internet? It isn't clear from what you say whether you are speaking of that or your Fedora login.
If it is the network login, when installing FC5 did you set the localhost login to prompt you for username and password when you boot up?

-Merlin
 
  


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