Hi
I use Mandrake 10 oe and wondering if anyone can recommend any adsl modems that work quite easily and are quite cheap.

would I be better off going for usb or pci, and do the pci version have the old winmodem problem or do they have the hardware to do the job themselves.

I live in United Kingdom if that makes any difference.

thanks

I recommend the Ethernet card/ADSL router method.
I had no end of trouble trying to get a BT Voyager modem to work, and eventually I gave up.
A guy a my local LUG recommended this method to me and I have had absolutely zero net problems since. You've also got the advantage of being able to connect to other PC's etc etc.
Mandrake auto configured the ethernet card, then it was down to me to configure the router and that's it. Job done.

The DSL warehouse do some nice packages - on their homepage I see they're doing an SMC bundle that'll sort you right out for a bargain price.
http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/default.asp
Or more directly: http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/produ...C7404brabundle

so am I right in thinking I need a router modem, and not just a router and are there specific kinds for adsl and cable connections.

thanks again

If you get your internet access (along with your TV and/or phone services) from one of the cable companies (Telewest, NTL etc) chances are you're on broadband - I'm not overly familiar with the way the cable companies work their net access - I know the encapsulation type is different, but other than that... You'd be best off checking with them first before buying anything.
If you get net access from BT, Freeserve (or wanado or whatever they're called now) or another ISP, and it's net access only (no phone or TV) then you're on ADSL. If this is the case you'll need a router with an ADSL modem built in.
You'll need all the details from your ISP prior to setting up your router.
The minimum being:
Whether you're assigned a static or dynamic IP address
VPI number
VCI number
Encapsulation type

It all sounds a lot more difficult than it is - if you get a router, once you get to the setup screen it'll all become clear.

cheers pongmaster,

I'll be getting ADSL , BT version. I'll keep an eye out for a cheap router/modem.

thanks again, you cleared a few things up for me.

BT are pretty good; it's where I get my ADSL from, and their tech support are aware of other operating systems and you don't get the "Ah Linux, that's your problem" line from them. However, they don't set anything up for you either, but they do supply you with all the information you need to get setup on your own.
If you choose your package wisely, you can get away without having any of the supplied BT equipment. Remember, you'll need a microfilter for every phone extension in your house, not just the one for the main phone line.
The router package that I linked to earlier will sort you out 100% with BT.

>> would I be better off going for usb or pci, and do the pci version have the old winmodem problem or do they have the hardware to do the job themselves<<

As Pongmaster mentioned, better off with an Ethernet modem/router combo - Ethernet's well supported relative to USB - they're not as cheap as other types but they are compatible - worth having a look at :

http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=25_59

In addition, two other service providers worth having a look at are:

http://www.plus.net/index.html and
http://www.freedom2surf.net/adsl/

I'm in the UK too, and found the best DSL unlimited option for linux was the Pipex Solo 250, as it's cheaper than other unlimited offers and comes with a free Speedtouch 300 usb modem (silver/rev4 type). Also there's no connection charge, just as good a deal as BT, Wanadoo, etc. The modem works fine, without using the speedtouchconf script too, Mandrake already bundles a working solution. So if you want you can now avoid the cost of an Ethernet/router modem and get a Speedtouch 330.

PS. Not meaning to sound so much like an advert, I'm just a happy customer singing their praises.

PPS. Stay as far away from Tiscali as possible.

I had planned to go with freedom2surf, not BT...I meant it was a bt landline/ADSL.

I think I'll probably go with the router modem option, I want to hook up the playstatioin sometime in the future.

Dyou's have any recommendation of ethernet cards (pci) or is it a case of they all do the same job good enough. Im not upto scratch on networking hardware so basically i havent got a clue.

Ethernet cards: There's not really that much difference between them really apart from the chipsets, and AFAIK, about 99.9% are compatible with Linux and should be auto detected and configured.
Specification wise, most are 10/100Mbps, but when you're using it for the net you'll be limited to whatever connection speed you get from your ISP.

EDIT I concur with Proud - stay away from Tiscali.