clueless newbie + mandrake + softmodem = dazed and confused
 

I am an absolutely absolute newbie with Linux, so type slowly! I am sick to death of windoze and a friend gave me a copy of Mandrakelinux 10.1. I have no documentation, but succeeded in installing it with Windoze XP on another partition. I have wanted to take the plunge with Linux for some time now... so, here I am.

My problem (the first of many, I'll bet) is that I can't dial out on the modem - Generic softK56 on COM3. I have searched a number of forums but haven't got a clue what they're talking about when it comes to writing commands. Write commands where? There's a whole new language going on here, isn't there. I am fairly competent with Windows and Mac, but I'm floating aimlessly with linux.

I have downloaded scanModem from linmodem, but I don't know what to do with it. Can someone tell me what to do in simple steps?

I'm not really stupid, really!

I'm using KDE and KPPP I think

Hello,

these softmodems can be a pain, but can be made to work. a quick google suggests that your modem uses the conexant chipset. linux drivers are available from linuxant, but there is a charge - they'll cost you $15. that said, i've used the drivers before, and they work well.

so, the first thing you need to do is double check that your modem is supported - go to this link and follow the instructions -

http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/modemident.php

if all's well, i'd recommend you download and attempt to install the correct linuxant driver (a demo version is available for free) - instructions are on the linuxant website.

as for commands, you can open up a console window. in mandrake, if you're using KDE, you should see a small 'monitor' icon to the bottom-left of your screen (near the 'star' menu) - click that and it will open a console window (similar to a windows 'ms-dos' command prompt window).

to do anything useful such as installing drivers, you are going to need to switch to root privileges in the console - this can be accomplished by typing 'su' (switch user), then typing in your root password when prompted.

good luck - it's a great opportunity for you to learn some more about linux, and post back if you get stuck.

enjoy mandrake - it's good!

This is the information that came back about my modem

=====================================================================
= SYSTEM INFORMATION =
=====================================================================
Date : 3/24/2005
ListMdm Ver : 1.6
Windows OS : Microsoft Windows XP
Build Number : 2600

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

MODEM #1:
PCI CONFIGURATION INFORMATION READ:
VENDOR ID : 14F1
DEVICE ID : 2F00
SUBVENDOR ID : 14F1
SUBDEVICE ID : 2004
REVISION ID : 01

DEDUCED INFORMATION:
VENDOR NAME : CONEXANT
DEVICE NAME : HSF CHURCHILL DATA/FAX
SUBVENDOR NAME : ACTIONTEC, ZOLTRIX, ACEEX, TAICOM OR ASUS -
HTTP://WWW.ACTIONTEC.COM/,
HTTP://WWW.TAICOM.COM,
HTTP://WWW.ASUS.COM.TW/COMPANY/.
FOR 14F1/ICH GO TO -- DELL-HTTP://SUPPORT.DELL.COM/US/EN/INDEX.ASP
MODEM TYPE : HSF
WINXP INBUILD SUPPORT : YES


The supported modems page reported the following...


The following modem devices are recognized by the driver:

HSF/HSFi (Standard and SmartDAA)
# PCI ID {127A,14F1}:{2013,2014,2015,2016}
# PCI ID {127A,14F1}:4311 (RIPTIDE)
# PCI ID {127A,14F1}:{1025,1085,2005} (if it doesn't work, try HCF driver)
# PCI ID {127A,14F1}:{2004,2006}
# PCI ID 127A:2114

# PCI ID 14F1:{2043,2044,2045,2046}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2063,2064,2065,2066}
# PCI ID 14F1:2093
# PCI ID 14F1:{201A,201B}
# PCI ID 14F1:{204A,204B}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2143,2144,2145,2146}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2163,2164,2165,2166}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2343,2344,2345,2346}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2363,2364,2365,2366}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2443,2444,2445,2446}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2463,2464,2465,2466}

# PCI ID 14F1:{2F00,2F01,2F02,2F03,2F04}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2F10,2F11,2F12,2F13,2F14}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2702,2703,2704,2705}
# PCI ID 14F1:{2F20,2F30}

# PCI ID 158B:0001 (Allied Data Technologies)
# PCI ID 158B:0005 (Allied Data Technologies)

# PCI ID 16EC:2F00 (U.S. Robotics USR5660A (265660A) 56K PCI Faxmodem)

# USB ID 0572:1300
# USB ID 0572:1301
# USB ID 0572:1302
# USB ID 0572:1303
# USB ID 08E3:0111 (Olitec Speed'Com USB V92 Ready)

INTEL AC-Link Controller (ICH)
# PCI ID 8086:7186
# PCI ID 8086:7196
# PCI ID 8086:2416
# PCI ID 8086:2446
# PCI ID 8086:2486
# PCI ID 8086:24C6
# PCI ID 8086:24D6
# PCI ID 8086:266D

# PCI ID 10DE:00D9 (NVIDIA nForce3)
# PCI ID 10DE:01C1 (NVIDIA)

VIA AC-Link Controller
# PCI ID 1106:3068

ALI AC-Link Controller
# PCI ID {1025,10B9}:5453
# PCI ID {1025,10B9}:5457

The internal modem of HP omnibook xe4500 series machines should work with this driver.

ATI AC-Link Controller
# PCI ID 1002:434D

SIS AC-Link Controller
# PCI ID 1039:7013

MC97 modems from other manufacturers may appear under the AC-Link Controller PCI IDs above, but this driver only supports Conexant devices.

Many vendors (such as Dell, HP, IBM, U.S. Robotics/3Com, etc..) have shipped modems based on Conexant modem chipsets. If you have a modem based on the HSF chipset but with different PCI vendor or device IDs, please contact modem.support@linuxant.com. If supported, your device could be added to the list and automatically recognized in future versions of this driver.

I can't correllate the information. Is my modem in the list??? I'm feeling particularly unintelligent tonight

Oh is that it on the 4th line - # PCI ID {127A,14F1}:{2004,2006}???

Sorry Kevin, I forgot to say thanks.

Don't mean to be rude or sound ungrateful.

hi there,

yes, looks like it - so you're all OK with the HSF modem driver (make sure you get the HSF version, not HCF)..

Have a go building the driver - from memory it wasn't too bad. If all goes OK, you should then be able to set up your internet connection from within Mandrake Control Center, and use KPPP to dial out and connect...

Let us know how you get on.

Are you serious??

I've only just discovered Konsole!

I downloaded the file and followed the instructions. (trying to navigate the Linux file system is something I've gotta work on.) The first time, it opened a web browser to try to download the file. (But I'd already downloaded it)

So I tried again (I'm typing in what it asks - sh cnxtinstall.run) and this is what Konsole told me.



[muzza@localhost muzza]$ sh cnxtinstall.run
Verifying archive integrity... All good.
Uncompressing Linux drivers for Conexant modem chipsets Installer version 0.9.6

If the graphical installer fails to start, you could try the terminal
version that you can start with the following command:

---
sh cnxtinstall.run -- --tty
---

Alternatively, you could manually download and install the packages from the
following pages:

HSF: http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/hsf/full/downloads.php
HCF: http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/hcf/full/downloads.php
RIPTIDE: http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/riptide/downloads.php

Trying to launch a web browser, please wait...
can't bind socket: Address already in use


I don't understand whats going on here at all.
My first experience with Linux is not turning out to be a pleasant one, I must say. But I'm not giving up just yet.

Hmm... that's a strange installer!

I've actually just downloaded it and tried it - I think what it's trying to do is open a web browser to make for an easy 'graphical' installation... it started up and worked OK on my system (opened konqueror), but i didn't proceed, for obvious reasons. i don't know why it has failed for you.

anyway, don't be too put off - you can manually install by downloading the basic driver files. if you go to the download page, you'll see a list of distribution-specific binary packages. you'll see an entry for mandrake 10.0/10.1 - click on that.

now, you'll need to know your kernel version to make the correct choice next. to discover this, open up your terminal window and type the following -

the name of the running kernel should be returned (in my case, running mandrake 10.0, it's 2.6.3-7mdk)

you then need to choose from the list on the linuxant website - and it must be an exact match for your running kernel. (with 10.1, it will be one of the 2.6.8 kernels)

this will download a zipped up 'RPM' file to your home directory. to unzip the file, open konqueror, right-click on the file, and a context menu will appear - select 'actions -> extract here'... this will unzip the file.

to install the file, either double-click on it, which should launch the Mandrake software installer, or, go to a console window, switch to root and enter the folllowing -

and the package will be installed.

once installed, you may need to run the hsfconfig program - further instructions are available on the linuxant site..

hope this helps and don't be too put off by the early 'baptism of fire'! do post back if you continue to have difficulty.

Where do I get hsfconfig from? It's mentioned on the linuxant site, but I can't find instructions.

hello,

everything you need will be added to your system when you install the RPM file - the driver and utilities.

you'll need to run hsfconfig, once you have installed the driver, from the command line. i can't remember the exact details, but from memory it'll just ask you a few questions and then set the driver up. you'll also still need to set up your connection from Mandrake Control Center - ISP, telephone number, etc.

If you should wish to purchase the driver licence, you'll receive an 'unlock' code; you then run hsfconfig again and enter the code, and you'll get full 56kbps, rather than the restricted 14.4kbps of the demo..

hope this makes sense.

How do I run hsfconfig though? I typed it in and it said something like command not found. I have to reboot into Linux everytime i try something new, and reboot into windows to ask further questions.

I can't find hsfconfig anywhere.

I downloaded the full (free) version for 2.6.8.1-12mdk and installed it, but no hsfconfig. I fiddled with the settings in kppp and the best I came up with was 'modum is busy'. I guess that's an encouraging sign. But I still have to go to windows to go online.

hi,

did everything go OK when you installed the RPM file? No funny messages..

open a console, and see if you can find hsfconfig by typing 'whereis hsfconfig'; it might be in /usr/bin or /usr/sbin..

if it's anywhere other than /usr/bin, to run hsfconfig you might need to enter the full path to the file - eg, /usr/sbin/hsfconfig, or whatever... oh, and you'll need to be root to run it!

how do I be root?

I'm going to boot Linux up one more time tonight. If it doesn't work, I'm going to bed. (It's 1am here)

Very unhappy/unfruitful first Linux experience, but extremely grateful for your help. Thanks

go root by typing 'su' in a console, then entering your root password.

given that it's so late now, might be worth attacking afresh tomorrow.