USB-ADSL Modem - Can't setup broadband internet - HELP

[ehzrar]

Hey,
I just got Knoppix, I'm a Linux newbie and I need help connecting to broadband internet through a USB connected ADSL modem, I've looked through help pages and I found one that might have helped but it said "To make the connection:
1. Make sure the Ethernet cable from the ADSL router is connected to the computer's Ethernet adapter."
and the problem is my computer has no Ethernet Adapter, and it doesn't use an Ethernet Cable, it uses a USB cable and is connected to the computer via USB.
Can someone help me A.S.A.P ? Can you tell me how to setup internet ?

Thanks,
ehzrar@yahoo.co.nz

[Harry Kuhman]

....and the problem is my computer has no Ethernet Adapter, and it doesn't use an Ethernet Cable, it uses a USB cable and is connected to the computer via USB.
Yes, you have accurately identified the problem. Some people have actually managed to get some usb dsl modems to sorta work under Knoppix, but the real problem is that you have that type of modem at all. My advice (not that anyone ever cares about my advice), 1 - demand a ethernet based modem and 2 - if the modem doesn't have a built-in router, buy an inexpensive DSL/cable (soho) router to connect to the modem and never connect to the internet without using the router.

[ehzrar]

I don't know if that matters, because the ADSL modem cannot be connected to my computer via ethernet because there is no ethernet slot or ethernet card in my computer. Is is possible to connect to the internet vai USB connected modem?

Thanks for the reply

[Harry Kuhman]

I don't know if that matters, because the ADSL modem cannot be connected to my computer via ethernet because there is no ethernet slot or ethernet card in my computer. Is is possible to connect to the internet vai USB connected modem?
As I did mention, people have managed to get some to work. You can search this forum and see what information you can find. But are you saying you have no empty slot that you could put an ethernet card in? PCI ethernet cards can be had for as little as $5 or less if you shop around a little. I personally would never run a high speed connection without the protection a router provides (vitally important with Windows but growing in importance with Linux). There are many other benefits too.

[drb]

The Speedtouch 330 can be made to work with Kanotix and UnionFs; I'm not sure about the current state of UnionFS with Knoppix.

drb

[dRaCk0]

I have the same problem under knoppix 4.0 but in knoppix 3.6 my USB Motorola Surfborad Cable moden is autodetected in the boot sequense, it seems that there the hotplug autoscan sequence works fine.. i bealive that someone screwed up this at 4.0, hope there is some way to repare this cuz i cant make internet work on this new knoppix version.

[Paul Lockett]

I had similar problems running a speedtouch USB modem, but after running the script I found at the site below, it worked fine.

http://christophe.delord.free.fr/en/adsl/index.html

[Harry Kuhman]

it worked fine
People have managed to get these things to work under Linux, but never fine. USB is awful for networking. Heck, it's awful for any high speed use. You do know that 480 mb USB2 is actually much slower than 400 mb firewire for external hard disk access, don't you? It's the same for networking; there is way to much overhead and handshaking for every byte transfered (along with some other poor design issues with USB). And this approach still locks you out of using a router for security and multiple system utility. So I would never consider a USB modem fine. You may not know the difference until you hook a ethernet modem in place of the usb modem, but it will be very significant.

[logic]

yeah im having the same problem , usb modem , speedtouch , im trying to use KANOTIX .

i read from loads of sites that i should download this cript, and that script...

to be honest im a 100%noob im using a live cd , to get used to it before i do a hdd install.

all i want is detailed information on what the hell to do!

if anyone can help me it would be greatly welcomed

please help my sanity is at risk

[Harry Kuhman]

all i want is detailed information on what the hell to do!
Contact IPS

Explain to them that you have learned that a USB modem does not fit your needs, keeps you from running Linux, and keeps you from running a hardware firewall device to properly protect your system. Also mention that you have learned that USB is strangling away much of the throughput that you are paying for by it's extremely poor network performance.

You will be told that there is nothing that they can do and that you are screwed. Demand to talk to a supervisor.

Repeat above. Point out how much you spend a month and how much that will total over the next five years. Explain that if you do not get a decent viable modem that you will cancel your service, either right now or if they have you on a contract as soon as your contract is up. Also if there is a contract issue mention that you will be contacting the consumer protection people at your state's Atorney General office as to what they think of the ISP providing inadequate equipment and trying to lock you on the contract (and then do so).

If you stand your ground you can get a decent modem at no extra charge. I did. If you can't or if you live in a country where customers buy their modems from sources other then the ISP then you bought a hunk of junk without doing proper research (see if you can make the store take it back). Also see if any of your friends have a decent ethernet modem sitting on the shelf collecting dirt because they moved on to faster cable service (I have a few) and would give you their old modems. Or just move to another ISP and be sure you get an ethernet modem this time.

[heri]

I am using Speedtouch 330 USB ADSL Modem (the silver model).

Just follow instructions from TheBoyMole in this thread:

http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9919&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=speedtouch&start=20

It's very easy and works like a dream :)

[drb]

Logic,

If it's the purple Speedtouch 330, it will also work fine with Kanotix (I used it for 12 months with PPPoATM up to the latest version). Look in the Kanotix forum for ways to get it to connect. I've recently gone for a wireless router to allow laptop access via the same ADSL line, but there is no difference in performance to the USB modem other than the advantage of a built-in firewall and internet sharing capability.

drb

[jpmwright]

Hi all

Ive got the exact problem, My modem is a Sagem F@st ADSL 800 USB modem. Ive not had any problems with it as a networking device on XP but knoppix just can't seem to find and use it to connect to the net.

Its a shame as I was hoping to be able to use this as an alternative to XP which is really playing up for me at the moment. I have no firewire or ethernet and there is no way I can afford a new modem of any sort. Besides I think the Sagem is great, just not on Knoppix.

If anyone has any idea etc. it would be great to hear them.

Thanks all