I have an external serial modem with the conexant chipset on the box it says (web excel). It is a namebrand modem. I installed Ubuntu 5.10. Successfully connected to the internet. then a few minutes later the thing would just disconnect. wtf?? So i rebooted into ubuntu to try and connect it dials the phone number then it stops. (in a repetitive cycle). like dial- stop dial-stop. (getting a little agitated). i decide i would try with my puppy distro live cd which my modem has worked in the past. try to set up a connection using Kdial or is it gdial (unsure) Guess what! It would start to dial then it would just disconnect!!
(Oh! great i must of bought a faulty modem) So i reinstalled windows XP and tested it. yep it works. . . .
Next morning the modem worked flawlessly With Ubuntu and puppy. What is wrong sorry about the long post!

Well, first off the modem is not a hardware modem it is a software modem. You are not the first person to have "issues" with these modems. They are buggy, just like windoze.

The best thing to do is to get a external serial modem that is hardware based. USB modems are not much better than what you have either. Stick with a external serial and you will have a LOT less trouble.

If you need help finding one, let me know. I'll be glad to search for you one. I could also suggest you call a local computer place to look for a used one. I went to my ISP and got a old U S Robotics modem for $10.00 and it works great. I also like all the lights on the front too.

Maybe someone else will come along with a fix but I wouldn't count on it.

thanks for the answer
apreciate it!

The jerk at the computer shop lied to me!