Using dialup modem on linux is a pain
 

Goda mite ! ( Good day mate !)
This is what I heard when I visited my sister in Auckland 10 years ago.

I'm retired industrial electrician. I've been using windows for over 10 years, not that I like it nor love Bill, but, like most people, I've no choice.

I've successfully downloaded and installed ubuntu os, pclinux os and ylmf os as my second boot choice other than windows xp. I can get the ether net working at my friend's place, But I just couldn't get my dial up modem to work.

I'm a poor man, as majority people in the world are. I couldn't afford high speed connection but rather save money to feed the starving. I am still using windows xp on a dial up modem to read everyday news.

As 90 % of computer users are windows users and we are trying to convert them to Linux, why doesn't the Linux program geeks build something automatically convert whatever driver files from existing windows systems to Linux on same machine ?

Some drivers, especially winmodems use the OS to do the hardware control. Porting these drivers are non-trivial. What type of modem is in the box? The best thing to have for linux is a hardware modem. That means there is a chip in the modem that does all the low level hardware control. This allows linux to just send generic serial commands to the modem.

Can you post the output of the command lspci here? We can see if yours is one of the modems that linux geniuses have managed to reverse engineer a driver for. If not, you need to find a hardware modem.

Oh yeah, and some ISP's use some funky proprietary windows exe file to connect (see NetZero) that even if you have a working modem, you can't connect to the network.

BTW, your location says Vancouver, is that BC or Washington State or elsewhere?

Hi mate,
I'm from Vancouver B.C. Canada.
The modem on my 1000 mHz IBM NetVista computer is IBM data fax modem.
It works fine under windows XP. The modem is Coexant HCF 56kbps dialup modem.
I noticed most modems mentioned for Linux is Coexant HSF modem.

From linux can you post the output of lspci? That will tell us the chipset and whatnot. Do you have a serial port? If so, I'd look for a hardware modem. http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/

The only linux distro that I know of that has excellent support for modems is puppy linux. Not trying to get you to change distros, however puppy live cd may be able to detect and setup you modem and give you an idea of what drivers are needed to set up modem on other distros. This a link to another website about modems that may be useful.
http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/

The simple answer is to get a real hardware modem. It will work.

Most people bought what is called a soft modem or software/hfc/conexant or other names for the same deal. It uses a small program to get the modem to work.

There are plenty of ways to get it working but it will take a bit of work and I think you can do it. First is your OS. For ubuntu start here.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DialupModemHowto
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Di...Howto/Conexant

Dell also offers some help for modems in linux.

some info here

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=190728

Also init strings at modemhelp http://www.modem-help.co.uk/

Almost all the ubuntu can be used for other distro's.

Pretty sure ndiswrapper could be used to with the oem software but maybe not.

Here's my lspci page
 

Thanks everyone for trying to help, good thing about Linux family is one's never a lone ranger !
I have windows xp on partition 1 and YLMF ( Ubuntu ) Linux on partition 2, 3 and 4.
Below is my lspci page :-

ylmf@ylmf-desktop:~$ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82810E DC-133 (GMCH) Graphics Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:01.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 82810E DC-133 (CGC) Chipset Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev 05)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801BA ISA Bridge (LPC) (rev 05)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801BA IDE U100 Controller (rev 05)
00:1f.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 05)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM SMBus Controller (rev 05)
00:1f.4 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 05)
00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 05)
01:00.0 Communication controller: Conexant Systems, Inc. HCF 56k Data/Fax Modem (rev 08)
01:08.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM/CA/CAM Ethernet Controller (rev 03)
ylmf@ylmf-desktop:~$

01:00.0 Communication controller: Conexant Systems, Inc. HCF 56k Data/Fax Modem (rev 08)

You now know your enemy.

I suggest an external USB modem, a US Robotics USR5637. Here's a link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16825104006 . It's pretty simple to set up with graphical programs. I set mine up manually in just a few minutes by editing a couple of configuration files with a text editor.

Thanks upstairs.
I saw this tiny Usrobotics USB modem selling in a local drug store for CAN$79. Searched it online, it was selling for about US$49. As you say such a small thing like a child's toy, I was very skeptical about it. I do have good experience with solid US Robotic modems in DOS times though before being pushed to Windows by Bill, the world's best business manager but worst friend if he's a friend at all.

I'm going to get this Usrobotics USB modem online.
By the way what's this one line in the script you have to edit to get the USrobotic USB modem to work in your Linux system ?

It's in /etc/ppp/options. The line describing the modem device is /dev/ttyACM0 (that's a zero) . Or it might be /dev/ttyACM1, depending on whether you unplug and replug it in the USB jack. Run dmesg|tail if you want to find out exactly where it is. I recommend booting your system without the modem plugged into the USB then plug it in and then run "dmesg tail" and modify the line in /etc/ppp/options. I don't know how much experience you have with setting up dial up but if you run into problems just as, I'm sure some of us can help. I've nothing but dial-up with Linux now for about 8 or 9 years. By the way, I've been pleased with my US Robotics USB modem, it NEVER has dropped a connection and has initialization strings for LOTS of options. I use one of them to keep my connection up if someone tries to call me while I'm online. That's an annoying "feature" of V.92 modems I hate. Most modems don't have the option to turn that off, or the string they provide simply doesn't work. But this US Robotics modem says "Hey, it's YOUR phone, if you don't like extended car warrenty salesmen or obscure survey takers screwing with your dial-up service we can stop it cold".

[rant]
"Go develop it yourself. In fact, I want a ham sandwich and a cold Pepsi on ice. No, I won't pay you a dime for it. I won't even say Thanks."
"Linux users should go develop it. In fact, I want a tutorial and a step-by-step walk through. No, won't pay you a dime for it. I won't even say thanks."
And no, we don't want converts as much as you think. Most Windows users aren't usually coherent enough to even format a nice query on a friendly forum. We don't run ads, we don't sell them, we don't push it.
And by the way, it's called Capitalism buddy. You want money? Come over here and get it.
[/rant]

[compliment]
That's much better.
[/compliment]

Now, now, you don't need to go spend your $$$ on a new one.
All you nead is this website, Officially supported by Conexant!
http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/hcf/install.php
That right there is for your modem. More documentation is avliable on the website as well about mid-way through the page under HCF.
Looks like the modem works under Linux, and well at that.

I still say buy a US Robotics USR5637. Not just the OP but most any Linux users. It'll work with any computer, it's reliable, small enough to carry with a laptop in case you're in an area where only dial-up is available and you don't have to figure out all that about which built-in modem device you have and hope you can get it working. Most are winmodems and aren't reliable either. Another thing: motherboards aren't being made with serial ports any more and internal modems are trouble waiting to happen if lightning gets one. The latest kernels identify the USR5637 and create the device and you just go from there. I didn't even read the manual. I love simple.

I don't want Pepsi on ice I want cold beer.
Like most people in the world, English is my second language,
and I'm doing my best if I'm not at the best.

Here's my cold beer for everyone dealing with Windows:-
You may not be using Windows yourself but your friends mostly are and they always ask you to help trouble shooting...........there are so many troubles in Windows......

Use any Linux live CD to boot up, search and destroy any viruses in your girl friend's Windows rig. This is just what I did..........and she made me very happy.........you know what I mean.........

She got the virus home whenever she went to public library to high speed download something onto her USB stick.

Windows viruses always auto run, are hidden and regenerate themselves even you can find and delete them. But under Linux they are like dead flies in broad day light. You just scoop them up. And if you are not sure whether a file is a virus, Google it and you'll know.

No, I wasn't talking about your language. Actually, for English being your #2 language, you use it rather well! I wouldn't of known had you not brought it up. :)

That sentence was a pseudo-metaphor, explaining in layman's terms how rude and ignorant it is to ask us "Linux Geeks" to go develop something because it doesn't work for you. Remember, Linux is free, the work is done for free, the developers develop for free, and the support is free. So in and of itself thats what it meant. Does that clarify it a bit?

And, have you checked out the link I gave you?
We will help you as long as you be nice. ;)

Tis' true about Linux viruses. Really, it takes quite a bit of work to actually get infected with one of those things. By nature, they usually never can get far enough to really embed or infect a system, in any way.

Have a nice day.

It has been stated that you can most likely get the conexant modem to work. I did buy a real hardware modem a long time ago just because there was no support back then.

If you want we can help you configure your modem still.

Everyone Upstairs,
Yes, I've checked up your link for Conexant HCF modem, thank you !
The free driver only works at less than half speed, 14.4kbps, one has to pay and register to get full 56kbps speed. I rather get the small foot print USrobotics USB modem. Too bad it's not on sale, I've been waiting for a year.

Happiness is being able to help someone, even if people forgot to thank me.
Happiness is seeing something you need on sale.

My ideal notebook is one with built in USB modem besides wireless and of course, also loaded with Linux.