I can't get on the internet in Linux Mandrake 9.1 with my Alcatel Speed touch USB ADSL modem. I've read installation notes on Alcatel's web sight but I can't make head or tail of it! You seem to have to be a command line genius just to install stuff. Linux would be cool if installing stuff was as easy as it is in Window XP. Can anyone please help!

I think the Mandrake 9.1 network wizard thing does most of it for you - you just need to download some file it directs you to.

It worked for me with the same modem a few months ago, though I can't remember much about it.

These things can look a bit scary, but if you just follow the instructions, it's usually not as bad as it looks.


Alex

If you search linux questions, you should be able to locate at least one of the thread's that I have started about this.

The only bit that you should have to add, is the "microcode", erm, the "mgmt.o" file rings a bell.

The stuff that you get from Alcatel's site is the complete driver - the mgmt.o is part of that (you have to unpack it - I seem to recall that it comes in "tar.gz" format, a bit like a linux version of a zip file - that's mainly where the command line stuff comes in.)

I should point out, that I solved this problem by getting a "boxed set" from mandrake, as they include some of the "commercial bits" like the microcode and when you install, it should see your speedtouch (but it makes you lazy with the convenience.

Also, have a look here and do a search, as I also had a thread running there. Also, it's "mandrake specific", though as you may discover, you tend to get reply's quicker here, but they are often more general.

I would also suggest that you look into modem/routers - I have gone down this "avenue", because it was annoying me that the speedtouch was disconnecting, when logging out of mandrake and then reinitialising when booting back into window$ and vice versa. These devices are available for dial up and dsl type services (and I suspect for cable services as well). What it actually does is take the connection out of the hands of the operating system, so if like me, you often switch between OS's, the connection "stays up", also as you would probably have to install a network card in your PC, then it's pretty easy setting it up for window$ and a linux distro should recognise the network facility (you don't need to do anything mega complicated).

regards

John

p.s. If you look at the thread that I posted about the speedtouch usb, it refers to the older "blue cow shit" looking model, and not the more current "red lump" model, but I understand that the set up is the same.