my compaq presario 2100 laptop running windows got a virus and i had to clear my hard drive to get it off. since my hard drive was clear i decided to put on mandrake linux 10.0 because ive heard almost no viruses effect it and ive gotten quite a few on windows xp home edition. mandrake seemed to install fine but then i couldnt figure out how to get on the internet with my 56k modem. i think i found the right place in configuration tools/network and internet/new connection then choose modem connection then it brings a screen that says modem-manual choice and manual choice is the only option it gives me and then it asks me what serial port my modem is connected to and i dont kno so ive tried all of them (choices are ttySO/COM1 ttyS1/COM2 up to ttyS7/COM8 and then at the bottom /dev/modem and then it asks my provider and they are listed by country and USA isnt even a choice and my provider is earthlink please tell me how to do it right and just so you kno i am a beginner and have never used linux before.

I also have a US Robotics 33.6 PC card modem and if i do the same thing it freezes the computer after i choose modem connection so if some one knows how to fix this i can use it as an alternative to the built in 56K modem