External Modem (DE5621) dial up failure (Mandrake 10.2-beta3)
 

Hi,

I have a creative labs external serial modem, model DE5621. This modem is working OK under windows XP (some data lag immediately after connection, more disconnects than I would like).

Under Mandrake 10.2 beta 3 (and 10.1 previously), I have the modem configured with KPPP.
KPPP is able to dial up and make a connection - an ip address is received from the ISP (earthlink), but the connection is virtually dead - no data is received. Once, I did get a web page to partially load, but only partially. The other 50+ times I have connected, web browsers, pings, and other internet app's all timed out.

The only thought that I have had on it is the modem initialization strings - perhaps disabling the V.92 functionality of the modem?

I'm completely oblivious to what I should change the init strings to, however. It also occured to me that my ethernet NIC (which is generally NOT connected to anything) could potentially be causing a conflict of some sort.

I used to have a 'Best' brand external modem, and had no issues with linux connecting to the same ISP. This modem was a V.90, however, and was used with an earlier kernel (10.0 OE). So, I have basically done the same things to set up this new modem, but w/o success.

Thanks for any help,

Jeff Nault

Two things come to mind off hand.

Is it an older computer or does it have the com port on an add in card? If the com port is an older one, it will have a slow UART and won't be able to handle the speed of the data between the modem and the PC. By old, we are talking Pentium 1 era though, anything above a P2 should have a more than capable com port.

Is it the ISP or your phone line? if there is audible line noise when making voice calls, you will not likely get anything better than 9600 baud (that's 9.6 of your 56k) but even inaudible line noise can kill a modem connection. If you plug a phone into the phone port on the modem, that's the best place to listen for audible line noise. Otherwise, try different phone cables to the modem.

Same Problem with LE2005
 

I have the same problem with LE2005, I think it has something to do with the way the iptables or something. I have tried everything to get i t to work, Just about ready to change distros becauase of this. I also use earthlink as an ISP. I have a us RObotics external 56K modem works great on Linspire 5.0 and mandrake 10.1 and below.