Could someone give me leads on Linux modems that can be used with more than one or two distro's ? I am presently using a "Hummingbird" 56K/v92 fax/Modem with a linux driver that is valid for this SUSE 9.1, Redhat 9.0. But will not work with Mandrake 10.1 or SUSE 9.3. I also run Winxp on this modem at times. I have a PC setup with "DataBridge" drawers, and have several drawers, each holding a different distro. Essentialy I need like a universal Linux Modem. Is there such a thing?

Exteranl modems work fine on any distro.....

Hi Hmmm, If you were reffering to External modems in general, it isn't necessarily so...I have an ActionTEC 56K External Modem that is a beauty with all Windows OS's, but will not function with any linux distros I've tried so far. thats why the Humming bird internal for the time being, while I do the search for an all around Linux external or internal that will cover all Distros, I'm asking here first, then will go to individual manufactures later. Thanks Hmmm

Having a quick look at that external modem...it should work fine under GNU/Linux, what errors are you getting when trying to use it? Any hardware modem should work fine. As opposed to software modems (aka winmodems), controller based ones do not require any processor usage or specific software on the operating system in order to function, you can often control them by just echoing hayes commands directly to the serial port. Most external serial (not USB) modems should work as will many old ISA ones (like the ones where you set the IRQ etc with little jumpers on the actual board). For help getting siftware modems working under GNU/Linux check out: http://www.linmodems.org/

Hi 3Dave, I retried my Actiontec external modem again this morning to no avail. It is an older model I've had for a while. Model: # EX560LKA. This SUSE 9.1 esentially set it's self up on my internal modem, though the driver is written for RH 9. I am very new into linux and trying to get a grasp on the command protocall and terminology of Linux, my ignorance of that is no doubt a lot of my problems currently. I started PC's in the days of the Commadore's, Tandy's and DOS,(and I was Old then!). That took awhile to figure out! I'm messing around with several Distro's out of curiosity for now. So far I enjoy and like what I see, and figure like all things today I'll have to drop a few more bucks to get it together to my satisfaction. I Constantly read your replies to the many questions and calls for help. Thank you! You are helping my education very much.

I too started out with Commadores, ZX81s etc. I don't think the answer is necessarily more bucks (although it can help!) but just to stick with it. I've pretty much made the switch now completely away from M$ stuff both at home and here at work. All the windoze servers have gone and I've even pushed out a couple of GNU/Linux desktops to some of the users....the accountants like me here at work because I save them money! Shame you can't get your modem working. What happens if you run minicom? Check that your /dev/modem symbolic link is pointing to the correct serial port, if it isn't then correct it. FYI /dev/ttyS0 = Com 1 /dev/ttyS1 = Com 2 /dev/ttyS2 = Com 3 /dev/ttyS3 = Com 4 $ ls -l /dev/modem This will show you where it is currently ponting, eg: /dev/modem -> ttyS1 To correct this (eg if you want it to point to com1 instead: # ln -sf /dev/ttyS0 /dev/modem Now start minicom, you should be able to dial a number with the following hayes commands: ATZ (resets the modem) ATDT 5551234 (this dials 555-1234) If you ISPs number supports scripted connections you'll be presented with a username prompt...if not you will get garbage coming up on the screen....at least you then know you can dial a number.

Thanks for the guidance 3Dave. I'll try again today using Suse 9.3 and your suggestions. Truthfully, I am still trying to figure out where to type these commands. As you know on windows you hit enter, then run to get a point to enter such things. I have plenty of time and patience and will eventually get a handle on it all.