Dial-Up, Modem, and stuff.

[PrincessMisery]

Well hello there.

I'm having a bit of a problem. I have Knoppix 5.1.1 that runs from the disc. Fist of all, lets get some specs:

eMachines W3118
AMD Sempron Processor 3100+
1.81 GHz, 992 MB of RAM
Windows XP Home w/ SP2 + all current updates
PCI Softdata Fax Modem with SmartCP (PCI bus 4, device 7, function 0) Manufactured by CXT (56K Dial-Up)

Ok then, so I've skimmed around Knoppix and I see where I create the new network connection...the wizard doesn't work, so when I try to set it up manually, it won't let me enter the Username and Password for my ISP. I don't understand why. It won't let me type in those two entry fields at all! It lets me create it and all that, but there's no way of typing in the info. I checked to make sure the keyboard was working on Knoppix, and sure enough, it was. Sooo, I don't know what to do. I tried the wizard again....and realized that I can't use it. It asks me to choose a country and my country isn't listed, US.

I'd greatly appreciate the help. I know I'm a chick, but I know my way around the computer. Please, lemmie know what you think is going on...is the modem not compatible? *sigh*

[Harry Kuhman]

.....is the modem not compatible? *sigh*

I don't know the full answer, but the short answer is that many Winmodems are unfortunately not compatable with Linux. Some are, but Winmodems require special DSP software drivers writen for them. Each chip set needs it's own DSP software driver. And most hardware makers only provide drivers for Windows, many chip makers will not even release chip specs so that drivers cane be written for Linux, thus the lack of support. If you want to keep working on this goal you would be best off to determine what chip set you modem uses (often available in the device manager section of the system part of the control panel) and do some searching to see if Linux has support for it. Otherwise consider a true hardware modem, or join the 21st century and go high speed.

[PrincessMisery]

join the 21st century and go high speed.

I can't. No one will come out here with high speed. And I don't believe we could afford satellite. Either way, yes, I will check more on the modem. I tried again lastnight...now it says that my modem is busy? I get two messages...either it says it's busy or that there isn't one installed (when I change the setting to /dev/modem). But when it's between /dev/ttyS1 and S3, it tells me it's busy. Hmph.

[greenknight]

I have the same problem, and I discovered that you can get an external modem on eBay for less than 20 bucks (shipping included). So many people are getting broadband, dialup modems are selling real cheap.