Need to get Winmodem working in SuSE 9.1 on an HP

furfurdemon666 · 10-17-2004, 05:19 AM

Hello,

I've installed SuSE 9.1 on a friend's HP Pavilion 8576C computer with a seperate partition reserved for Win98. SuSE 9.1 works great with KDE on this old computer believe it or not but I need to find linux drivers for the Winmodem. The Winmodem is a Rockwell HCF 56k PCI (also called Pavilion Riptide Modem) with the vendor ID: 127A and Device ID: 4321.

From the linmodems site I found a link to conexant.com but I didn't see any Linux drivers to download. Somehow I ended up here which says that they have a driver which will work for this particular modem "free version (limited to 14.4Kbps data), available at no cost. Please use it to test if your hardware is compatible." A free version limited to 14.4K?? It gets worse, it appears that there is a full version of the driver(s) but that "a full version (with 56K and FAX)," is "available for a modest price." The "modest price" seems to be $14.95.

I was hoping to find a free driver(s) for this modem so I could switch my friend over to Linux and free him from using Windows on-line (and eventually wean him off using Windows forever).

So I throw this question to the gurus out there: Is there an alternative source for Linux drivers for this Winmodem that will work for free without limitation? I remember when I myself was suffering with a Winmodem but mine was a Lucent winmodem, and that wasn't a big problem to get working, there was a free source for Lucent Winmodem drivers for Linux.

But with this particular Winmodem it seems different. I'm trying to get this system up and running for him with Linux and the only stumbling block is this Winmodem and the sound card. If I can get the modem working I'll be 1/2 way done. I don't have access to a real modem or funds for a real hardware modem at this time for him.

So someone please tell me if there are any free drivers without limitations out there for this modem. I appreciate you taking the time to read this lengthy post and any helpful answers you may post.

Yertle · 10-17-2004, 08:02 PM

Have you tried the SuSE support db. I used SuSE smartlink drivers to install a winmodem on an IBM T-41 laptop. I just followed the instruction on the SuSE support DB and it worked fine.
Hope this helps

furfurdemon666 · 10-18-2004, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yertle
Have you tried the SuSE support db. I used SuSE smartlink drivers to install a winmodem on an IBM T-41 laptop. I just followed the instruction on the SuSE support DB and it worked fine.
Hope this helps

Hello Yertle, thank you for taking the time to share this good advice with me and tell me a little about your success with your laptop's modem. What follows is lengthy, but amusing in the end, sadly:

I Searched the SuSE Linux Hardware Database (extended search) for "Rockwell" for Distribution "9.1" and Architecture "i386" and found three other modems
with similar names listed but with different device ID's and all three
of them are listed as not supported. So the Winmodem I'm looking for cannot be found in the SuSE Linux Hardware Database. Searching for "Riptide" brings up "no products found". When I tried searching by vendor ID: 127A and Device ID: 4321 it said: "no products found".

Now under one of the found modems (which is not the modem I'm looking for because it has a different device ID and this Winmodem is not a speakerphone w/handset modem as the listing with different device ID is) says it is not supported but for the heck of it I clicked on 9.0 and a green "full" notice and found a listing of "hsflinmodem-5.03.27mbsibeta02122600-92.i586.rpm" "hsfserial.o" "V.92 is not supported within the package named above

Maybe it is necessary to install the driver manually with the configuration script "hsfconfig" and then install your modem with YaST as "Other (not recognized)" through the device "/dev/ttySHSF0"."

So I guess I could try this even though it's listed for a different Device ID and see if it will work anyway on 9.1.

** So I just installed this RPM via YaST and ran the hsfconfig file as instructed on the site and here's what it says:

Code:

Linux HSF softmodem drivers, version 5.03.27mbsibeta02122600

WARNING: this is an EXPERIMENTAL BETA VERSION of the HSF drivers for Linux.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! See the file /usr/lib/hsf/LICENSE for details.

Conexant Systems neither distributes nor maintains this package.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT CONEXANT REGARDING THIS SOFTWARE!!!
If you require assistance or need more information, go to:
              http://www.mbsi.ca/cnxtlindrv

Should we attempt to automatically configure your hardware? [yes]

DEVICE 127A:4321 SEEMS TO BE AN HCF MODEM!

You might need the HCF driver?
Please see http://www.mbsi.ca/cnxtlindrv/modemindent.html

**Gee, you think? Then why is the SuSE Linux Hardware database linking to HSF under a HCF Winmodem? Hmm.. **

Code:

No supported modem device found.
Is the modem presently installed in your system? [yes]

1) Rockwell International Riptide HCF 56k PCI Modem
2) None of the above

Which PCI communication controller is your HSF modem? (1-2) 1

1) /etc/hsf/inf/linux_ali_smartmc.inf
2) /etc/hsf/inf/linux_athens.inf
3) /etc/hsf/inf/linux_hsfi.inf
4) /etc/hsf/inf/linux_hsf.inf
5) /etc/hsf/inf/linux_intel_smartmc.inf
6) /etc/hsf/inf/linux_smarthsf.inf
7) /etc/hsf/inf/linux_via_smartmc.inf
8) None of the above

Which INF file would you like to use with your HSF modem? (1-8)

** At this point I know I'm going to have to boot to the Windows partition, go back on-line and go to the site it mentions when running this config program and see what that site has to offer but for now, I continue by randomly selecting #4 to see what that does.

Code:

Selected PCI VendorID=127A DeviceID=4321
and INF file /etc/hsf/inf/linux_hsf.inf

Automatically guessed country (using timezone): "USA"

Configuring modem for country: "USA"
You can change this setting later with the command "hsfconfig --country"

This package does not contain pre-built modules suitable for your system:
        Distribution: SuSE-9.1
        Kernel arch: i686
        Kernel version: linux-2.6.4-52-default

Please obtain the appropriate variant of this package for your system
or try the generic RPM or tar version.

**Gee, that's just great.. now what do I do? Hmm.. I guess it's time to boot into Windows again, go online and see what that website has to offer, probably nothing but we'll see anyway.. This RPM obviously isn't working as I've tried several options and configurations at CLI and YaST and it still does not want to dial out.. so back to Windows to continue this wild goose chase..

Back in Windows now, on-line, going to that website which was listed from within that program: http://www.mbsi.ca/cnxtlindrv/modemindent.html

I copy/paste the website address into my web browser and what site does it load? Well it forwards from the above address to:

http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/

Great.. Just great.. so now I'm back where I started again. I'm not going to PAY for drivers for this modem so I will tell my friend that he now needs to go out and buy another modem (external) for his system for Linux, and I'll have to hear "Why do I need another modem, the one I have works in Windows" and on and on. I'm a little frustrated, but I won't pay the "modest price" to linuxant.com for their drivers for this Winmodem, no way no how.

I'll have to have my friend go out and buy a modem which would be more than the "modest price" for the Linux drivers for the Winmodem, but I know that the hardware modem will likely perform better than the Winmodem would under Linux, and I don't and won't encourage such (IMO) dirty "modest price" practices. What a run around. :P So I guess for those of us trying to get Linux drivers installed for Rockwell HCF modems, we're out of luck unless we want to pay that "modest price". What a joke.

Anyway, in closing Yertle, thanks again, it's the first time I used the SuSE Linux Hardware Database and it looks like a nice resource which I will use again if I ever need to find info on a particular device/driver info.

Actually.. just to save a buck I might stick in a Lucent Winmodem in here because I know that the FREE drivers for the Lucent Winmodem will work.. though I've never tried it with an HP computer.. but if it does work, it's better than trying to explain to someone why they need to buy another modem for Linux when the Winmodem works in Windows (and my friend who owns this HP system doesn't know much about computers, or even web browsers, you know the type I'm sure).. so off I go to pop in the Lucent Winmodem..

Now that the modem issue is over (either Lucent will work or I'll just tell him to buy the darn external modem) I'll have to see if I can get the sound card on this HP beast to work.

But that's another day.

lesleyb · 10-18-2004, 07:29 AM

Hiya

I spent some time on the winmodem problem

Although my vendor Id / Device ID were supposedly supported I couldn't get the winmodem stuff to compile properly because certain #define stuff wasn't available under Suse 7.3. Never did get to the bottom of it but, IIRC, I think it was to do with MOD_VERSIONS not being defined by Suse. It might be different under a different distro.

This is at least 18 months back and I am trying to recall it all from memory. I ended up buying an external modem.

I bought a serial Diamond Supra and I am sure it's still knocking around here somewhere. It worked fine and I had no problems with dial up unde Suse Linux from then on, both 7.3 and 8.2. I have since upgraded to broadband and a speedtouch adsl 'modem' - now kernel driven since 2.4.26

Interesting (possibly little known) fact: while mucking around with my iptables I stopped all out going requests and discovered the SuSE version of wvdial sends a request to www.suse.de

Sorry not to be of more help but I'd say you might be batting on a losing wicket trying to get this windmodem up and running.

Hope you find the answers you seek.

LesleyB