Quote Originally Posted by Guider
I use a BT Voyager 100 modem, which doesn't have an ethernet socket. It's usb.
IMHO this is the core of your problem. USB modems have many shortcomings and I do not believe should ever be used. My suggestion would be to get a different modem. Maybe you can get one from your ISP. Maybe you can get one from your ISP if you threaten to drop service otherwise. Maybe you can get one from another ISP by dropping the first and going to them. Maybe you can get one "free after rebate" if you sign up for new service, in which case you can call and drop your service and then while the sales rep is still on the line thell them you want to sign up for new service (something I did years ago with Mindspring when they wouldn't offer loyal existing customers the same deal they offered new customers). You may even be able to find a friend who has an unused ethernet modem (I have a few who do). I would stay away from the "eBay of thieves", but just about any other way to get a decent modem would be great.

Once you have a decent modem, add a router (if the new modem does not already come with one built in as many now do). This will give you multiple ports to plug in computers or your switch (usually 4), provide an important hardware firewall, and maybe even provide you wireless access (good luck getting wireless to work with Knoppix, but lets save that for a different thread). It will also save you from having to fight with Internet Connection Sharing from a company that seems to do all they can to sabatoge Linux users.

My ISP wanted to provide me with an USB interface too. I fought with several people to avoid it and to avoid absurd overcharges to get an ethernet modem. I got an eithernet modem and I got it at "no charge", with the same monthly cost that the USB would have been. You just have to make it clear to the ISP that if they want a customer or want to keep a customer they need to provide equipment that you can actually use. It may be too late to help you but a tip for others dealing with a new ISP: tell them that you are running Win95 (they don't understand it when you say you are running Linux) and that you have no free slots in your computer but your computer does have an etherenet port. This seems to be a magic combo that fits their level of understanding and indetifies a system that needs an ethernet modem rather than a USB modem or even worse an internal modem.