I did e-mail conextant and I'm going to place the e-mail in here so that if they can't help me maybe someone in here can. Thanks. Oh, I do have one other question before all that, before I can use my modem I have to enter modprobe hcfpciserial in the terminal so that the modem is loaded in the kernal, I think it's the kernal anyway (I'm a newb). Is there a way that I can set this to do it on its own each time I load the comp?

Main problem:
I'm having a slight problem with my modem. I'm using redhat 9 with i586 and
2.4.20-8 as my architecture. I downloaded the coresponding rpm and installed it according to directions. I do have to use what was suggested in #16 of the FAQ (the modprobe hcfpciserial) to get the modem to work, but after that it seems to be able to dial out. However, it seems to have a problem connecting to servers. I tried this with both AOL (through an aol compatable program) and netzero and got the same result. What happens is the modem dials, and seems like its working. Then it makes the connection sound but the very last part of the sound won't stop and doesn't stop until I restart the computer. The modem never truly gets online either, but is stuck at that point of the process. I know that the modem works because I use it on Windows (I have the computer dual booted). Please let me know if there is anything I can do. Thank you for your time.
-calimer
PS here is all my modem info
=====================================================================
= SYSTEM INFORMATION =
=====================================================================
Date : 4/20/2003
ListMdm Ver : 1.6
Windows OS : Microsoft Windows 98
Build Number : 4.10.2222

=====================================================================
= RESULT OF MODEM QUERY =
=====================================================================
NUMBER OF MODEMS FOUND = 1

MODEM #1:
PCI CONFIGURATION INFORMATION READ:
VENDOR ID : 127A
DEVICE ID : 1003
SUBVENDOR ID : 0E11
SUBDEVICE ID : B0BC
REVISION ID : 01

DEDUCED INFORMATION:
VENDOR NAME : ROCKWEL
DEVICE NAME : HCF DATA/FAX
SUBVENDOR NAME : COMPAQ -- HTTP://WWW.COMPAQ.COM
MODEM TYPE : HCF
WINXP INBUILD SUPPORT : YES

I'm almost certain any linux driver you're using for a Conexant HCF modem is from www.mbsi.ca/cnxtlindrv/ as Conexant dont make linux drivers. I'm quite sure they state that you should not contact Conexant for help.

What program are you using to dial up? As the problem's in the final stages of the connecting, I suspect you may not have the correct verification settings to log in to your ISP.
If it is this or something else, knowing which program you use helps getting the error message that'll be generated.

I reccommend Kppp

I did use kppp and they do make linux drivers. Here is the webpage. http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/
I don't get an error message, the modem just sits there making the noise indefinitely not doing anything.
-calimer

Have you tried the debug option aguement for pppd, and are you using the logging window/frame to watch the commands sent as it dials up?

Again, Conexant themselves dont make linux drivers, and before 16/4/03 I dont think Linuxant did either, it was a joint project effort by "MBSI (Marc Boucher), Conexant Systems Inc. and open-source contributors".

I know that I had the logging on, not sure about the debugging thing deal, I'll have to check it. From the log readout it definitely looked like it was working, but then it just stopped at the part I said. Using pengaol I got the same problem, the modem just kept making that noise, even after I tried to disconnect and all that stuff. The modem still stayed on the line though, until I did that restart. This problem annoys me a bit because it feels like I'm sooo close to getting my comp online using linux, and once I can do that I have no reason to use windows at all. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
-calimer

Sounds like a lower level problem, either with pppd or maybe the drivers themselves. Which ones are you using?
Try editing your Kppp ISP account and add debug as an optional pppd arguement.
What settings are you using for the port speed etc?

Okay, I'll try adding the debug option tonight and running it. I'm wondering if maybe I do have the wrong driver. I'm using the redhat 9 i586 2.4.20-8 driver. It surprises me though that redhat says my architeture is i586 since I'm using an AMD K6 processor. I'm thinking that if debug doesn't help solve the problem first I'll try the athlon driver, and if that doesn't work, one of the generic ones. By the way, thank you so much for sticking with this post. Lots of times people will ask like one small question and I answer it, and then I NEVER get a response from anyone else because people think the thread is being taken care of. I'll report my findings on the debug in a few hours, unfortunately I can't do it right now since I'm not on linux (obviously) and need to go to class. Take care and thanks again.
-calimer

i586 means compatable with ...erm i586 processors and lower, it doesnt mean you have an intel one. AMD and Intel processors are relatively similar, they have to be to run the same code, eg Windows runs (almost) the same on both
The debug option should result in a bit more feedbeck when it all goes pear-shaped

Well I hustled and loaded linux back on and gave kppp another go. I didn't see how exactly to setup the "debug" option. However, when I did dial, it loaded the "debug script" or whatever, but that came when I turned logs on, and I think you're refering to something else. Here is what the debug showed though.
OK
ATM1L1
OK
ATDT3124283

Hey thanks for the clarification on the i586 deal. I wasn't exactly sure what the deal was. So would the Athlon driver even help me then? or not? Hmm. Well again, thank you so much for helping me, I really appreciate it.
-calimer

Ok, from the first Kppp screen, click Setup... , then in the Accounts tab, select your ISP account and Edit... and then Customise pppd arguements... Type debug and Add.

If kppp dies unexpectedly it should report the pppd exit code, and the command man pppd should explain what that means.

Setup... , then Modem tab, then Modem Commands... will help explain the log window output. That quote means using low audiable dialing volume, and dialing 3124283, your ISP I guess

(I think) Your processor can use i386, i486, i586 and any K6 specific binaries. Is a K6 an Athlon? I dont think my K6-2 can use binaries for my Athlon 1600+ XP, as that's i686. Processors are backwards compatable (legacy), but the binaries thus are eg. i586 or greater.

Okay, I'm definitely going to try that debug thing. The thing is though kppp never actually dies, the modem just sits there. I tried it again not to long ago and I think it said "expecting to connect" or something like at the bottom of the log window. Hmm. I'll see if that debug thing provides any info. Thanks for the help.
-calimer

To answer your question I don't know if K6 is athlon. I don't think it's duron though. I don't know much about all that. Take care.
-calimer

I tried the debug deal but nothing really happened since kppp was still trying to "initalize my modem" Hmm. I guess the next step is to try a "general" modem rpm. If you have any other ideas, please let me know. Thanks.
-calimer

Hmm, maybe try finding any logs it might have made apart from the one displayed. It might be the RedHat variant of the driver is screwy. Though when I installed the latest version (18/4/03 for Mdk9.1) I got an error like:

gawk cmd line 1 "B4,00
unterminated string

so there may still be a few bugs in the code.

Maybe try something like wvdial, (or) a more script based dialing system with a connect and disconnect command.

Well, I got a reply from linuexant or whatever, and they told me that there was a more recent version of the rpm for my modem. Tonight I downloaded it and installed it and it SEEMED like everything was working until right after the connection sound. Now it says that I have "authentication" problems, but I am positive I entered the correct user name and password, I even just checked it out on windows (this is the netzero connection). my pengaol isn't working either unfortunately, keeps saying "can't initialize modem" but this is after it's already dialed and seems like it is trying to connect, hmm. This time it sounds like a user (me) problem, but maybe I'm wrong. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
-calimer