Serial PCI troubles. No working modem..

Pcghost · 07-24-2003, 12:16 PM

My laptop has a POS conexant winmodem in it, currently hogging ttys0, and not working. On boot I get the following error.

Redundant entry in PCI_Serial table

And when I query the modem in kppp, it says ok a bunch of times but the output log is blank and the modem cannot dial. I have already installed the conexant drivers for the modem to no avail. I have a pcmcia modem that is detected and configured at boot, but because of the "redundant" entry it is not available to query in kppp. I currently have no way to connect with the laptop.

Can someone tell me how to disable the POS winmodem in Linux. There is no setting in the BIOS to disable it. I just want to get the PCMCIA modem working so I can connect again.

fancypiper · 07-24-2003, 12:42 PM

# Modem and connection troubleshooting
Modem NHFs
Modem HOWTO
Linmodems.org
Conexant/Rockwell modem HOWTO
The kppp Handbook
Dial-up Networking Configuration Using KDE's Kppp
Troubleshooting ISP Connection Problems

# Redhat links
RedHat Linux Manuals
Get your mp3 support here
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
RedHat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Redhat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Redhat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network
Manage software:
redhat-config-packages

# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project

# Compiling/installing kernel modules
You will need to have installed:
1. The developmental packages (compiler)
2. The kernel source code that matches your running kernel
3. The module source or install code

Check out your system and look under the hood and see if you installed the stuff you need to do the job. Open an x terminal and type in this sequence of commands to see what kernel we are running and see if you have the kernel source installed:

Code:

[fancy@tinwhistle phil]$ su -
Password: 
[root@tinwhistle root]# uname -r
2.4.18-3

I am running kernel version 2.4.18-3. Do I have the proper source code?

Code:

[root@tinwhistle root]# cd /usr/src
[root@tinwhistle src]# ls -alc
total 3
drwxr-xr-x    4 root     root          136 Jun 12 14:53 .
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          424 Jun  4 12:04 ..
lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     root           14 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4 -> linux-2.4.18-3
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          584 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4.18-3
drwxr-xr-x    7 root     root          168 Jun  4 12:08 redhat
[root@tinwhistle src]#

I do have the same kernel version source code installed in the directory /usr/src/linux-2.4.18-3 and there is a symbolic link named linux-2.4 pointing to it.

If you don't see something similiar to this (but in color), you will need to install the kernel source.

NOTE: I noticed that Red Hat didn't make the symbolic link /usr/src/linux that all of the INSTALL files that I have read mentioned that I need, so I may as well make one now to save editing the files in the source code to install.So, I'll make it just now:

Code:

[root@tinwhistle src]# ln -s linux-2.4.18-3 linux         
[root@tinwhistle src]# ls -alc
total 3
drwxr-xr-x    4 root     root          160 Jun 12 15:46 .
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          424 Jun  4 12:04 ..
lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     root           14 Jun 12 15:46 linux -> linux-2.4.18-3
lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     root           14 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4 -> linux-2.4.18-3
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          584 Jun  4 12:11 linux-2.4.18-3
drwxr-xr-x    7 root     root          168 Jun  4 12:08 redhat
[root@tinwhistle src]#

Ah, there it is, so that's done.

Next, did I install the compiler?

Code:

[root@tinwhistle src]# gcc -v          
Reading specs from /usr/lib/gcc-lib/i386-redhat-linux/2.96/specs
gcc version 2.96 20000731 (Red Hat Linux 7.3 2.96-113)
[root@tinwhistle src]#

Yes, I have a compiler installed.

If you don't have those two things installed, you have to install them first off your install CD.

If they are installed, download the source and happy comiling.

Make sure you carefully read the README and INSTALL files after extracting and before compiling/installing.

# Guides to software and installation and uninstallation
LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation

Pcghost · 07-24-2003, 02:36 PM

I followed the instructions and when I use the setserial -bg command I get

ttys0 (my broken winmodem specs)
And then a scrolling list of the other tty** devices all saying
***Device not Found*** after them.

And out of curiousity, what is with all the how to add modules and other kernel compiling stuff above?

fancypiper · 07-24-2003, 04:08 PM

I didn't know if you needed it or not. Some drivers do, some don't.

I use a real serial external modem and have picked that stuff up off the board and I wrote it up and post it when I think it may be needed.

Pcghost · 07-24-2003, 04:26 PM

Cool. The funny thing is. After re-installing the linuxant drivers for the winmodem, it can now dial in kppp. But when it connects it instantly hangs-up and redials. I must have a setting wrong somewhere but I sure can't seem to find it.

fancypiper · 07-24-2003, 04:49 PM

I use to wvdial to connect, myself. I can usually set it up first try but kppp is strange to me....

To configure

wvdialconf /etc/wvdial.conf
Edit the resulting file with the right info
Command ifup ppp0 to dial
Command ifdown ppp0.

I map the buttons on gkrellm to that and I also alias the command to something easier:

Code:

# Duron 950 uilleann .bashrc for user fancy
# User specific aliases and functions

# Change bash prompt. See the article
# http://www-106.ibm.com/developerwork.../l-tip-prompt/
export PS1='\d \@ \[\e[32;1m\]\u\[\e[34;1m\]@\[\e[36;1m\]\H \[\e[34;1m\]\w\[\e[32;1m\] $ \[\e[0m\]'
# For the root account use this
# export PS1='\d \@ \[\e[31;1m\]\u\[\e[34;1m\]@\[\e[36;1m\]\H \[\e[34;1m\]\w\[\e[31;1m\] # \[\e[0m\]'

# Set paths
alias path='echo -e ${PATH//:/\\n}'

# Allow local users to use my X session
# xhost +local:

# Dialup, start fetchmail daemon and startx
alias x='/sbin/ifup ppp0;fetchmail -d 300;startx'

# Alter the ls command
alias ls='ls -ac'
alias lls='ls -lac'

# Become system administrator
alias god='su -'

# Connect/disconnect the internet by modem
alias dial='/sbin/ifup ppp0'
alias hangup='/sbin/ifdown ppp0'

# Launch links with my linux links page
alias links='links /home/fancy/bookmarks.html'

# Power down/reboot
alias off='shutdown -h now'
alias boot='shutdown -r now'

# For nano editor because I forget which one I use in which distro
alias pico='nano -w'
alias nano='nano -w'

Pcghost · 07-24-2003, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the help Phil. I think I just discovered my problem. It seems on the last recompile of my kernel I forgot a couple of PPP options that are needed to negotiate with ppp servers. I needed to recompile anyway (for my zaurus) so I will finish the recompile and let you know if that does the trick. Every day I realize one more thing I "should" have compiled in. Man I have to be soooo close to the perfect kernel by now.

fancypiper · 07-24-2003, 05:41 PM

And then they release a new, spiffer version with neat stuff.....

Pcghost · 07-24-2003, 06:07 PM

I've tried three times to compile the new 2.6 test kernel and all I get is a frozen machine saying "Uncompressing Linux"

And right when I learned the old compile process they go and change it.. DOH!!