I am running Ubuntu 8.04/Windows XP sp3 as dual boot. I am using a BT Voyager 105 adsl usb modem and my ISP is AOL. Cannot connect to the internet from Ubuntu. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Full instructions will be necessary as I am very new to Linux.

"AOL" is not considered a "proper" ISP: They have strange protocols. I don't know anybody using linux who is using AOL as their ISP. Maybe you should consider changing your ISP, or getting a second one "for testing purposes".

[Ducks]

BT voyager USB modems are a PITA as well. Please search for, and read, the many threads about them on this forum, and elsewhere.

My advice: Drop AOL, get rid of the USB modem, and get yourself a proper ISP, with a broadband modem that has an ethernet cable port. (If they don't supply one with this capability, buy one, or choose another ISP). They are cheap and simple to set up. Mine's a "Netgear DG834G". It is a few years old now, was very simple to set up and works perfectly "out of the box" with linux of all varieties. No doubt there is better/cheaper available now.

I cannot fault my ISP (BT), but they are not the cheapest. Perhaps you get what you pay for.

I'd recommend the following search on google:
site:linuxquestions.org bt dsl ubuntu setup

Not an Ubuntu user, I don't know if it has an adsl configuration tool. Not being a resident of GB, and having a cable modem, I'm not familiar enough with dsl, and whether it is different in England to answer directly.

To also add a layer of security, I would recommend a cable/dsl nat router. You configure the dailing in the router, and you only need to configure Ubuntu as a host on a lan. The NAT function also provides firewall protection which can help protect you if you make a mistake configuring your firewall.

I'm not a fan of USB modems and wireless devices. Just my prejudice.

Thanks for your comments and advice. I will have a think about my next course of action, whether it be a new modem, ISP or both. Appreciate your time.

Just stay away From Netopia (AT&Ts standard issue POS gateways).

@petelew48,
Just avoid AOL. Almost any other UK provider is OK, but remember, "you get what you pay for".

Warning - Off-topic:
petelew48 has his location listed as "North Wales". That's in the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, AKA the "UK". Sometimes not that "united", but happily far from the reaches of AT&T

I'll second the 'get a braodband modem with an ethernet port' comment; I've tried this with (k)Ubuntu, and if the modem does dhcp, Ubuntu does an excellent job of picking it up and it just works.

(The modem has to know how to log into your isp of course; the normal procedure is that you use any browser to log in to your modem's internal web page and set these details up so it can log in).

One advantage of going with an isp that gives you a modem as part of the offer is that usually tell you exactly what you have to set up in the modem to get it to play with them; then you only have the issue of getting your ethernet to connect to its ethernet.

I was thinking of going for cable with Virgin Media. I believe they supply a cable modem together with a Netgear wireless router. Any comments/advice on this would be appreciated.
Thanks for your advice so far.

Cable modems work fine.
Netgear wireless routers work fine, but will need the wireless chip in your PC to be usable by linux.
Some wireless chipsets are easier to get working with linux than others. Ethernet cable always works.

What about a wireless usb dongle, how do they work with linux?

- Which exact "wireless usb dongle"?
I am losing patience here: Do your own research, then come back when you can have specific problems.
Grrrrr.

Sorry to be a nuisance. Won't bother you again.

Since my last post I have moved house, dumped AOL, signed up with Virgin Media via cable and connected to the internet first time without a problem.

Many thanks to all who helped and advised me on this issue.

Yaaaaay! Congratulations!!
And I bet it wasn't too difficult (er, apart from moving house, which is always a nightmare).

And thanks for the follow-up.
I hope you enjoy using linux as much as I do.

Connecting to the internet was a breeze but your correct about the moving being a nightmare....never again I hope.

I am now starting to really enjoy linux.....thanks for your help.