Installing external modem in RH8. Problem, Advise.

japiinvincible · 07-20-2003, 05:18 PM

Hi people!

I have some queries regarding my system. Please humor me:

1. I have a Motorola sm56 spakerphone modem. For it, i have an RPM available which was designed for RH 7.1 (driver version 5.1). But it doesn't work under RH 8.0. Help. So apparently i can't make this 'WinModem' work with Linux. Or can i?

2. I was thinking of buying a second hand external modem to use it under Linux (RH8). I was getting one (Creative ModemBlaster DE5625 External Modem). But i read on the Net somewhere that Rockwell/Conexent chip modems don't work with linux. And apparently this one has a Rockwell/Conexent chipset. So apparently this also wouldn't work under Linux. BUT, i had heard that ANY External modem could work under Linux. So, whats the catch? Will this DE5625 work with Linux or not?

3. Nowadays, these so called USB modems are raising a lot of hue & cry. Do THESE work ubder Linux, & what are their pros & cons vis-a-vis normal serial ones?

4. Tell me what to do. If i can make my internal modem sm56 motorola to work, well & good. If not, tell me what to look out for in an external modem if i have to buy one for linux. I'm not concerned with windows. sm56 goes like a breeze under Windows. I'm just longing to connect under Linux.

5. I borrowed a friend's external modem - GVC 56k speakerphone SF-1156V/R21 - to test it, whether it would work under Linux. But Linux doesn't even detect it. And i can't find any Linux drivers for it. How to install it?
As said in the RedHat documentation, i added the network device as a generic modem on /dev/ttyS0 (COM1), but when i try to query the modem or try to use kppp, it says, searching for modem, & then says mdem is busy!
I used the setserial command, but it doesn't even know what UART it uses. Just the Port no. Com1, & IRQ. Rest all i'm supposed to enter myself?
I mean, how does one install a simple external modem under Linux?

Enough questions, i think for a day. Please enlighten me some!

Thoreau · 07-21-2003, 12:26 AM

If your bios has LPT1 set to com1, then the above testing would be accurate. If not, then you're pissing in the wind.

All external LPT modems are hardware. Few internal PCI modems are hardware. Most internal ISA modems are hardware. It's best to get a USR, as it was the standard when people used modems. But, external LPT modems do work. The usb stuff is crap even on windows. No way in hell.

Anyway, disable PNP in the bios, pick your com for lpt, and use it.

Thoreau · 07-21-2003, 12:32 AM

PS- you don't need to install anything for external lpt. Just point that bitch at the proper ttsSX.

And if you still want to use your motorola winmodem, then install the driver, point it to com5/ttyS04 and walla.. and yea, the motorola would fly on windows since it's actually using windows dll's to do it.

http://www.motorola.com/softmodem/data-fax.htm#linux

japiinvincible · 07-21-2003, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thoreau
If your bios has LPT1 set to com1, then the above testing would be accurate. If not, then you're pissing in the wind.

Mon ami, how in the name of God can LPT1 ever be set to com1. Even in BIOS! According to my belief, LPT1 is a 25 pin Parallel port for devices like printers, while com1 is a 9 pin (previously it used to be 25 pin) Serial port for devices like modems. LPT1 is separate entity than com1. Both have a different range of hardware addresses, & can't be 'set to each other'.
Correct me if i'm wrong.
And by the way, i have a bathroom to piss in, i needn't piss in the wind, thank you! No offence! :-)

Quote:

Originally posted by Thoreau
All external LPT modems are hardware. Few internal PCI modems are hardware. Most internal ISA modems are hardware. It's best to get a USR, as it was the standard when people used modems. But, external LPT modems do work. The usb stuff is crap even on windows. No way in hell.

What's a USR pray? Did u mean USB?
And then, what ARE 'USB' modems?

Quote:

Originally posted by Thoreau
Anyway, disable PNP in the bios, pick your com for lpt, and use it.

I have pnp disabled in bios.
'Pick your comm for lpt' ? I don't understand.
Will try the external modem on LPT1 port, since the modem's cable also has LPT interface.
But can't this external modem made to work on COM1, the default serial port for modems? As in my original query.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Thoreau
And if you still want to use your motorola winmodem, then install the driver, point it to com5/ttyS04 and walla.. [QUOTE]

I tried to point in to com2, com3, com4 but it didn't work. Now will try com5 if you say so. Maybe it will 'walla..' ;-)

I still want to know:
1. The status of Rockwell/Conexant chip based modems' compatibility with Linux - do they work?
2. WHAT are 'USB' modems, & do they work with Linux?
3. Will ANY external modem work with Linux? What are the exceptions? At least, will Creative DE5625 external modem work (which incidently is based on Rockwell/Conexant chipset as in 1 above!)?