Agere AC97 Winmodem with kernel 2.6.13
 

Hello everybody,

sorry for asking the 1 millionth question about Winmodems, but despite googling and searching LQ.org and LinModems.org I haven't found what I am looking for (or, maybe, overlooked it).

What I want to do:

I would like to run Slackware on an old Notebook computer with an Agere AC97 internal modem. Currently Slack 10.2 runs just fine with kernel 2.6.13, already, but I use an external modem, while I am posting this. This is ok for the moment, but I'd like to avoid having to carry the external modem with me when I travel. I'd prefer to use the internal modem, if possible.

Now, unfortunately, there are no Winmodem drivers included with Slackware. I've found some postings pointing to download sites, but none of the sites seems to work.

My questions are:

- Where can I download a kernel 2.6.13 compatible driver for my Agere AC97 modem?
- Will udev create a device node for the modem, once the driver is installed?
- If not: What's the best way to do this myself? How should the device file be named?

Thanks a lot for your kind support, again.

gargamel

Hello!

I you haven´t found drivers for you your modem on the download sides for the chipset or laptop (manufactorer), you won´t be able to run your modem. Winmodem are usually not supported by linux.

Greetings

You likely need an ltmodem driver. Agere picked up Lucents modem business/chipsets. To double check run "lscpi" as root.
There are really good ltmodem drivers for the 2.4 kernel series and someone has hacked them to work the 2.6 kernel. Just google for "ltmodem"

Thanks, yes, I knew that. But there most likely *is* a Linux driver for that specific modem. If I get it right, Agere is the new name of Lucent, and I had internal Lucent softmodems running just fine on various laptop computers with SuSE Linux, which has the necessary driver included. Unfortunately, Slackware doesn't include that driver. But I found many places with download links where the driver once could be downloaded. Regrettably, the links aren't alive, anymore.

So what I'd need as a first part of the solution is an alternative download link for that driver (which apparently exists and works well with Linux).

Can anyone point me to a working download site?

Thanks!

gargamel

Ok, thanks, I tried that before and tried it again, and found that one of the sites that weren't reachable a couple of days ago, is up and working again. Probably some backbone problem solved now...

I even found versions for kernel 2.6, however, only up to 2.6.11. As for many kernel versions there are individual .tar.gz packages, I am unsure if I can use the 2.6.11 version with 2.6.13. What do you think or know?

Thanks again,

gargamel

I use to install it from source. The source code has scripts that automate the install process.

That being said I have not tried it with the 2.6 kernel series

This link has some hacked source code for the 2.6 kernel series.
hacked ltmdem driver

From the LTmodem 2.6 site
Edit: I noticed that the LTmodem 2.6 site has newer versions than I linked above.

Thanks! Yes, I read that text, before. However, it is still a bit unclear to me which version to choose for my kernel 2.6.13...

There are versions for 2.6.7 and 2.6.11 and others, but there's none for 2.6.13. Perhaps one of the others might work, but which one is preferred?

Thanks,

gargamel

Thanks for the link, very helpful, shepper!
I'll try it as soon as possible, and then report the result.

gargamel

As promised, here's my report:

I
- downloaded the source, shepperd had pointed me to,
- ran make in the directory that was contained in the archive file
- copied the *.ko files into a newly created directory /lib/modules/2.6.13/other
- loaded the module with #modprobe ltserial
- plugged the modem cable to my laptop
- created a softlink /dev/modem pointing to device file /dev/ttyLTMS0
- added the modem to my KPPP configuration
- dialed into my ISP

In short: SUCCESS without a single problem!

Thank you all, and shepperd in particular!

gargamel

Hello,

Do you mind telling us the exact name of the ltmodem source file you downloaded for your 2.6.13 system ?

Thanks.

Of course.

http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/pack...alk-7b1.tar.gz

I just switched back to Slack from Ubuntu, and this is from the Lucent winmodem ltmodem 2.6.12-9-386 solved! thread on the Ubuntu forums. Their recommendation happens to be dead on.

I know why you're asking; I can't get some of the newer ltmodem versions to work either. This one definitely works though.

I, too, had success with ltmodem-2.6-alk-7b1.tar.gz, which contains a directory ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c.

gargamel

Thanks to dugan and gargamel for the advice.

I tried installing ltmodem-2.6-alk-7b1.tar.gz and followed the instructions present on the ubuntu post, but keep on getting the same error when trying to load the ltserial module:

/sbin/modprobe ltserial
FATAL: Error inserting ltserial (/lib/modules/2.6.11-1.1369_FC4/kernel/drivers/misc/ltserial.ko): No such device

(btw, my 'make' of the ltmodem package always produces the same warning:

make
make -C /lib/modules/`uname -r`/build SUBDIRS=/home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c modules
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.11-1.1369_FC4-i686'
CC [M] /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/lt_modem.o
CC [M] /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/serial.o
/home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/serial.c: In function ‘lt_get_mctrl’:
/home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/serial.c:387: warning: unused variable ‘flags’
LD [M] /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/ltmodem.o
LD [M] /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/ltserial.o
Building modules, stage 2.
MODPOST
Warning: could not find /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/.ltmdmobj.o.cmd for /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/ltmdmobj.o
CC /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/ltmodem.mod.o
LD [M] /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/ltmodem.ko
CC /home/bbenny/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/ltserial.mod.o
LD [M] /home/dauser/Desktop/ltmodem-2.6-alk-7c/ltserial.ko
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.11-1.1369_FC4-i686'

)


Any ideas on overcoming the '/sbin/modprobe ltserial' error? This error occurs irrespective of the ltmodem source file I use, and I've tried nearly every available ltmodem package.

It is usually a good bet on any *nix system that most problems are due to incorrect access rights.

Could it be that the file that appears to be missing cannot be found because it is owned by root, while you are running make as a regular user, or something like that? This can happen when you unpack an archive file as root.

Check file mode and ownership.

gargamel

Thanks for your advice gargamel.

As I've encountered file access problems in the past when running as a non-root user, I always make a point of running my scripts as root when attempting a device configuration (functional modem in this case), and then worry about file permissions when trying to activate the configured device as a non-root user.

I've given up on the ltmodem package and have decided to investigate the slmodem package as this seems to install and run without a problem on my FC4 system, though I still can't get beyond the 'NO DIALTONE' error of wvdial after it successfully sends various initialization strings to the modem:

wvdial damodem
--> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.54.0
--> Initializing modem.
--> Sending: ATZ
ATZ
OK
--> Sending: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
OK
--> Sending: ATM1L2
ATM1L2
OK
--> Modem initialized.
--> Sending: ATDT<my-dialout-number>
--> Waiting for carrier.
ATDT<my-dialout-number>
NO DIALTONE
--> No dial tone.
--> Disconnecting at Mon Dec 12 16:32:20 2005


The 'NO DIALTONE' error seems quite common with other slmodem users - but I've yet to find a solution.

-

The soft modem drivers are not interchangeable. LTmodem for Lucent/Agere, SLmodem for Smartlink modems. Conexant modems take a different two other drivers depending on the version of the modem. IBM had an mwave modem in it's older laptops.

Post the output of "lspci" if you have any trouble identifying the needed driver.

Is the file that isn't found by make/gcc actually there, then?
Hmmm. If so, I can only think of a udev problem: Could it be that the missing device is only created when the softmodem is connected to the phone line? Easy to check: Just plug the phone line into your modem port and run

#modprobe ltserial

again.

I think in your case it is vital to find out what causes the GCC warnings. So, do you have a file ltserial.ko somewhere on your machine? If so: Is it in the right place? If yes: Why doesn't GCC/Make see it?

We'll have to track this down in order to solve your problem, I guess.

gargamel

I hope the following helps gargamel -

output from /sbin/lspci:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82852/82855 GM/GME/PM/GMV Processor to I/O Controller (rev 02)
00:00.1 System peripheral: Intel Corporation 82852/82855 GM/GME/PM/GMV Processor to I/O Controller (rev 02)
00:00.3 System peripheral: Intel Corporation 82852/82855 GM/GME/PM/GMV Processor to I/O Controller (rev 02)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device (rev 02)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 01)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 01)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 01)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-M) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 01)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev 81)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801DBM (ICH4-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 01)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801DBM (ICH4-M) IDE Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) SMBus Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.6 Modem: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 01)
02:00.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI1510 PC card Cardbus Controller
02:02.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications, Inc. AR5212 802.11abg NIC (rev 01)
02:08.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB PRO/100 VE (MOB) Ethernet Controller (rev 81)


When phone line is plugged into modem port:

/sbin/modprobe ltserial
FATAL: Error inserting ltserial (/lib/modules/2.6.11-1.1369_FC4/other/ltserial.ko): No such device


Does ltserial.ko exist?

locate ltserial.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.11-1.1369_FC4/other/ltserial.ko

locate ltmodem.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.11-1.1369_FC4/other/ltmodem.ko


The command '/sbin/modprobe ltmodem' returns to a command prompt without producing any errors.


/sbin/lsmod shows that the 'ltmodem' module is loaded:

Module Size Used by
ltmodem 557520 0



I'm afraid I don't know what to do next.

-

Update:

I've just been told by somebody who inspected my ModemData.txt file that the modem on my laptop uses a Conexant CODEC, and that slmodem and ltmodem simply won't work.

I was then advised to use the linuxant HSF driver in an effort to get my conexant internal modem working.

Unfortunately, this is not the solution I wanted if it means I need to pay linuxant for a driver that cannot be ported to a new laptop if I decide to upgrade my system (determined after sending them several e-mails).

I visited the conexant web site to try to find a free driver to download - they provide free downloads for windows users, but their link for linux users goes directly to linuxant (pay for a driver). Perhaps not an agreeable state of affairs, but understandable given the nature of the beast.

Anyway, thanks to gargamel and others who offered insightful suggestions. Very much appreciated.

John

-

Thank you, John.

Just for completeness:
- Make sure that you have the right driver for your modem. ltmodem is for Agere/Lucent, and only for that.
- Hope you find a good, free solution.
- If you only find proprietary stuff for which you would have to pay you might want to consider purchasing a good external faxmodem, instead. Disadvantage: You have to carry an additional device with you when you travel. Advantage: Usually much more reliable than *any* softmodem based solution (although my Agere/Lucent works just fine with ltmodem.ko, so far). If the external modem is cheaper than the softmodem driver, then it's probably the hardware solution is to be preferred...
But don't buy the cheapest modem you can find, get a good one instead. Recommended: Acer Modem 56 Surf. Not recommended: USR/3Com. The latter are very good in data mode, but they are a nightmare when you want to use them for sending and receiving fax with standard compliant software like Hylafax. The Acer works like a charm right out of the box with any software I have used, so far. My old USR/3Com did not.

Ok, it might not be relevant anymore, but I looked at your logs.

The warning said that make was looking here:

/lib/modules/2.6.11-1.1369_FC4/kernel/drivers/misc/ltserial.ko

Compare this to the results of locate:

/lib/modules/2.6.11-1.1369_FC4/other/ltserial.ko

So if you your softmodem was an Agere/Lucent the next step would be to check the scripts and configuration files for LTmodem in order to find the reason for the different paths. The question we had to answer would be:

Why does make look at the wrong location?

But first of all, check again, what type of modem you actually have.

Good luck,

gargamel

It looks like you have an intel modem. I have never worked with those but recall that intel did provide linux drivers for the 2.4 kernel. Newer intel modems would work with the smartlink modem driver.

Try googling for intel linux modem. You should be able to get it running albeit with an older kernel.

Also the Hardware compatiblilty list here has a lot of info on intel modems
http://www.linuxquestions.org/hcl/showcat.php/cat/168


You lspci looks like the output from a laptop so you will not have the luxury of changing the modem although lucent LTmodems were available in pcmcia cards.