I have just installed linux (Mandriva) for the first time and would like to use my "3 mobile broadband dongle. Being a newbe to both this forum and indeed Linux itself I have no idea how to installthe device.
If you think there is a better distro than the one I have I would certainly use that.

Well, what happens when you plug the device in? What does "lsusb" say when it is connected? You should also check dmesg to see if there is anything getting logged when you plug it in.

I too am a newbe to linux i have installed my 3-mobile dongle onto my OS and netbook acer aspire one.
I have managed to get as as having the mobile partner on the connect tab, and there is a signal but a red x showing that nothing is connected, i have tried using the web browser but i just get page 'not found error' is there anyone who has installed 3-mobile broadband onto linux OS? if so are there any tips or advice as to what i do next? I haven't been able to get this working since i brought the netbook a couple of months ago and it is starting to get on my nerves now.

Thanks

Hi guys,

I'm not sure if Mandriva has NetworkManager, but NetworkManager makes it very simple. Basically what you need to know is the "APN" of your ISP. For example I am with 3 mobile broadband in Ireland and the APN for that is "3ireland".

If you don't have NetworkManager like me, I'd recommend downloading this script :

http://kerry-linux.ie/broadband/three.tar

Which is the script for connecting with 3 broadband in Ireland. You should only have to change the APN to get it to work although the device name may be different for your modem as well.

Hope that helps,
Le f3n5.