Hey guys,
I am running Slackware 9.0 and dual booting with WinXP. I am slowing trying to use XP less and less and I can do that if I have use to things I need. I have JDK and Tomcat running in Linux so now I can do all my Java programming on Linux

Anyways, the next thing I am trying to get setup is my Internet Connection. I am connecting to the internet using a dial up modem and AOL as my ISP. The model of my modem is:

Conexant HSF v92 56K RTAD Speakerphone PCI Modem

Is this a win modem?, I have a suspetion it is. If so that would suck!

Assuming I have a regular modem where do I start the whole process?

Yes, thats a winmodem. Its got some OK support though.

For connecting to AOL, you can use a program called "PENG", but it doesnt work well.


For the easiest time w/ Linux, I suggest picking up an external Serial Modem ($15 new on Ebay), and getting a good ( and cheaper) ISP.

Check for a local ISP, most cost only $10 a month now, so in a month you will have paid off the new modem.

Thanks for the help guys. This just sucks, I have a winmodem. Dam Microsoft, they are just a pain in the a$$. No wonder the price of PCs have gone down, because the don't provide the commercial parts that you can find on your own(ex: Dell comes with a SB Live 5.1 card which is different than the SB Live card, and now I just found out that I don't have a real modem).

SO I guess my first part is to deal with the modem itself. WHat really is a winmodem? Is there no hardware at all and everything is just simulated in software or is there a different type of card in the machine?

I guess rather than deal with a linmodem driver I think I might just replace my winmodem with a real one. The "modem" I have now is internel and I would like the replacement to be internel as well. All I really need is a simple dial up modem(56K) PCI. What do I need to do to disable the the Winmodem and put an internel one in? I have amillion more questions, but I will wait for an answer to these before asking them.

And about AOL, I think they suck too, so don't worry. $23.95 for dial up internet access , and they wonder why they can't compete in the market. THe only reason I deal with them is that I have a lot of free time(so I can't completely bad mouth them) with them and I would like to use it rather than go to another isp. For what it is worth I sent them a comment asking them to make a Linux version of their software. Hopefully if enough people ask them they might respond, and those of us in the same boat as me might actually be able to use their service. Thanks.

A winmodem has SOME hardware of course (you can touch it, cant you), but most of the vital parts are done in software (windows specifically).

You should really go external. A serial modem is as easy as it can be. When you dial w/ PPP, you just point it the the serial port, no mess or fuss.

Ok, lets say I go for an external serial modem. WHat brands should I look for that work well with Linux(100% compatability)? What specs should I keep an eye on? I am dual booting WInXP with Linux, so what would happen with my winmodem, would it be disabled in order to allow the serial modem to work? THanks

The beauty for a hardware modem is that it doesnt need a driver, everything is done in HARDWARE.

Just plug it in and go.

Every external serial modem is hardware, thats why people recommend it.

Heres the how-to for dialing out through the serial port(amoung other things):

http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Modem-HOWTO.html

ok cool, I will check that link out when I get some time. I remember the older computers always had the external modem with the lights flashing and stuff. THen They started to make the modems internel. I thought these internel modems were just a smaller version of the externel ones that were in the computer. Are you saying that all internel modems(or atleast the ones that most desktop pcs) aren't fully modem and have a software piece, they are not real?

The winmodem use some the cpu processor power to help make it work, and the drivers are software working with the OS. When I first learned the difference between modems, I was using Mandrake, and I noticed a difference with the external modem. I got an extra 1 k/b when I switched. I do believe the externals are easier to configure also.

About 99 percent of PCI modems are Winmodems, while most ISA modems were full hardware modems. Even the PCI modems that are full hardware modems can be tricky to get working correctly under Linux. If you get an external (which I also recommend if you are going to get a new modem) be aware that to ensure compatibility you should get one with a legacy serial connection and not a USB model (although the ones that have both types of connections should be fine). The USB models are also full hardware modems (at least the ones I am familiar with are), but they are not so certain to be recognized properly from Linux.

aside from all the help everyones given you to get your modem working, you will also need to be able to connect once you get proper drivers or an external modem, while PENG has been discontinued and no longer works, i've been using the remade project by the same people for over a month now with only 1 problem, i cant see when people im me :-\ it does not show this. anyways if you are willing to sacrafice that and get AIM to talk to your buddies then go here: www.penggy.org


i compiled mine with the source, but you may do whatever you think will do best


also a very good external modem (which i bought at best buy for 53$ yes i know im crazy) is the creative modem blaster (black shiny casing...ooooooooo ) and i was able to just plug it in, edit the penggy.cfg file for the modem path (/dev/ttys0 for me) and then i dialed in--simple as can be

Wow, I didn't know most PCI modems were winmodems. I thought this whole winmodem thing was a new phenomenon. Therefore most internel modem are winmodems right??? Thanks for the help. I think I will shop for a serial modem now and once I have that connected will probably post back on this thread. Oh, BTW, I will look for a serial cable, but are their any standards to these external modem I should look for(ISA etc). Basically what are the specs I should look for?

i'd highly recommend an external modem, now externals come with serial cables themselves. and while i heard externals are OSless, its always a good idea to get the one that says linux or dos compatible (if it works in dos it'll work in *nix) but ya it doesnt matter entirely if you get an external...theres a chance you can find an internal that has *nix support but externals are generally a little faster and can have some nice added v.92 features in this age

Another $0.02's worth of comment:

Avoid USB modems as well, sure many are supported by the newer kernels, but they are a pain to configure as well.

I had a internal that was not a winmodem and it wouldn't work. I use Mandrake 9.1. I bought this modem and it works fine. No setup, just configure when you install your OS. Here's the link:
http://www.techdepot.com/Product.asp...390482&iid=342
When I bought it it was $40.00 but it works well. You can get the one that has voice if you need it.
BTW: This one will fax in Linux. I've done it several times. It's pretty quick to.
External serial is the best way to go.

Computers are like air conditioners, they don't work well when you open windows.