I still use external serial port modem and I cant install my ISP connection details into the new Ubuntu 9.04 as when I open System - Administration -Network is missing. As per built in help I have installed Network admin package into Terminal, but still nothing can any one please help.

kde has a nice app called kppp...which handles com port modems in a gui.

gnome may have similar?

if not try installing kppp and know that com ports are /dev/ttys0 or 1 etc

I haven't used Ubuntu 9.04 as yet,...but in Ubuntu 8.10 (Gnome) you have to use the terminal and set-up things on your own a bit (there's nothing provided in the GUI).

try,....
1. Open the terminal,...type: su root (give your root password)hit enter.
2. type: pppconfig (if it's there in 9.04,..fill it all out).
3. type: gedit /etc/wvdial.conf (fill out the areas inside the < >
with the appropriate information). Save and hit enter.
4. type: adduser (your user name) dip (mine is "adduser d dip")(enter.)
5. type: touch /etc/resolv.conf (enter.)
6. type: touch /etc/ppp/options (enter.)
7. type: wvdialconf (this should recognize & setup serial modem).

I usually re-boot after all this,.....

8. Open the terminal,....type: pon (name of your ISP) (enter.)
(this should start the modem dialing).
9. type: apt-get install gnome-ppp
10. type: poff (to stop connection)

Anyway,...that works in Ubuntu 8.10, Linux Mint 6, and Debian 5.
(if I remember it all correctly)....

EDIT: while connected to internet, BEFORE you type: "apt-get install gnome-ppp"... be sure to RELOAD synaptic! Someone help me out here,..in terminal is it like: "apt-get reload"....?

I have solved the problem using pppconfig in Terminal.To obtain the instructions go to help.ubuntu.com then dialup modem how to set up dialer Various methods hear but only pppconfig worked for me but remember to configure sudo adduser (username ) dip. in terminal
Alan Stevenson

I've had exactly the same problem, and not just with the network manager! I've had that and device manager and the ppp dialler go missing too. Naturally there is no warning about this happening, you have to find out yourself when you need to use them! Also, as non of these are listed by the package manager software it leaves you feeling that they are gone for good. Happily this isn't the case but in good old linux tradition of screwing with non geeks who just want to use their computer you have to dig it out and go in to our friend the, non user friendly, terminal and type in a non intuitive command that refers to the package by a slightly different name than that used by the actual program.

For your network manager you have to use (presuming you can access some way of downloading the package) "sudo apt-get install gnome-network-admin". The network admin program will not appear in the same place as before, that would be too easy, but is now under "system - administration - Network"

Oh. BTW. If you had previously set up the isp details they will appear in the network admin window as before. So it is only the admin gui that was "deselected"!

For the device manager use "sudo apt-get install gnome-device-manager" and for the dialer "sudo apt-get install gnome-ppp"