I am wondering, now that I cannot get my 'supposed' Linux modem working on Mandrake 8.1 (it worked on 8.0), if I buy a serial (hardware) modem, (and now this is where my true stupidity shows) when I hook it up and run the connection wizard for the Internet, will it detect it and take off on its own, or will I have to download drivers, or anything special? Just wondering how much work I am getting into before I go and buy anything. Also, is any brand/model modem any better than the others to work with? If so, where can I purchase this brand at a reasonable cost? Any help is appreciated, 'cuz I am about to pull my hair out over this modem B.S.!!!!

:smash:

I don't rightly know what the big difference would be that 8.0 would be able to utilize it but not 8.1. I'm sure there is SOME way to get it going. Outside of that though as you've asked, a serial modem is VERY easy to config in Winders and Linux. No hard stuff really. As for brand, I am partial to USRobotics because they are a tried n' true company in the modem arena. I've got a 56k External Sportster that has no problems. It's detected instantly, pbbtt fhhtt nada oneuh problemo! That's what I say you go for and make sure it's serial, USB modems can be just as much a pain as a winmodem, and alot of them in fact are.

thanks for the recommend, taz, I will probably order one and get it over with. As far as the difference between 8.0 and 8.1, they somehow got this wonderful idea to autoconfig, but somehow lost files that used to manually fix this if the autoconfig didn't work right, like /etc/rc.d/setserial---don't know if this is correct terminology, but I think my idea is correct...I am finding other 'differences' (problems!!), that are making me wonder if I really should have stayed with 8.0 instead of going to 8.1. Oh well, I'm sure I will see some differences (for the better) as soon as I get the bugs worked out... this has been a true learning experience so far....