ADSL problem with Redhat 9

[grassprietjesteller]

Hi all,

I've tried about 5 different Linux versions (Mandrake, Fedora, Redhat,...) but non of them can work with my ADSL modem. Is there anyone out there whom can give me same advice?

My modem is a Topcom Webr@cer 851 ADSL USB Modem with Alcatel DynaMiTe ADSL Chipset but is not recognized by Linux.

Now I have Redhat 9 installed.

You'll have to know that I'm completely new at Linux so could you explain the answer to my problem this as simple as possible?

Thanks, it would mean a lot to me!

[Void Main]

A couple of thoughts. First, it's not so much the distribution that you are using as it is which version of kernel they are running as to whether hardware is supported or not. For instance, Red Hat 9 is now 3 releases old. Fedora Core 1, 2 and now 3 have been released with much newer kernels and more hardware support. I haven't researched whether your particular modem is supported in the current version though but I can later this afternoon (just about to head out for the day).

I did do a quick search and found a project that appears to be for your modem (not sure if your exact model is supported):

http://speedtouch.sourceforge.net/

There are RPMs available under the above address but you'll have to research the above site to figure out whether your modem is supported and how to use the software in the available RPM packages.

There also appears to be a kernel level project here:
http://linux-usb.sourceforge.net/SpeedTouch/

The kernel project seems to indicated that the driver was included in the mainstream kernel as of version 2.4.22 (type "uname -r" to see what version you are currently running). Even though the driver is included in the kernel doesn't necessarily mean it was turned on and compiled in by the distribution vendor.

I think also that you only should have to use either of the above solutions, not both together.

Again, I only did a very quick search so I don't know if this relates to your particular modem or if the newer distros have support built in. I can research that a little more later this evening.

A final thought is, does that modem have an Ethernet port on it? If so you should have no problem using an Ethernet connection where the USB connection would be not such a sure bet. Use the "lsusb" command (or "lsusb -v" for more detailed info) to see if your kernel even sees it on your USB port.

[grassprietjesteller]

I tried allready Mandrake 10 and FC2 (download on ftp.belnet.be: port 21), I expect them to be up-to-date, but no result. If I check the hardware settings there is nothing connected with USB.
I'll try to download FC3 later tonight and install it tomorrow, Let's hope this works.
If I have to download a driver or a module, how can I install this? Like I said I'm used to working with MS Windows, so if you have the time could you explain this too?
I've got an ethernet-port (SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor). I've tried connecting the ADSL cable in the adaptor, changed about any setting there was to change, without result. Is it possible to use this adaptor instead of the Topcom modem?
Thanks for your help!

[Void Main]

If your modem has an Ethernet port (in addition to the USB port) I would definitely use the Ethernet connections and not use the USB connection. Then any distribution should work (assuming your Ethernet card is supported).

[grassprietjesteller]

The modem only has 2 connections: Usb and Line In, so this wil not work.

[Calum]

i have heard also that using a USB "modem" is less secure. to be honest, the first thing i did when we got a "free usb modem" with our internet service, was to buy a real modem and router, which i would suggest doing to anybody. the USB modem apart from anything else, appears to emulate the network interface card, which i am not too keen on conceptually...

i think void main has listed all the alternatives you could try other than to simply get a real modem and plug it into your network card.

i know it may seem as though linux distros don't support your hardware, but what is really happening is that the manufacturers of your flaky hardware only bothered to bring out software for windows (and if you're really lucky, macOS), i suspect that the functionality of the USB modem in windows will be much less stable and less secure than an ethernet modem in linux.

just my two pence worth.

[Void Main]

I really would like to help but unfortunately I don't have the model modem you have and my site here only has a few regulars who probably also do not have the same modem you have which makes it extremely difficult to help. I would suggest posting on the sourceforge mailing list for that driver I pointed you to earlier, or on a larger forum where you might get someone who is in your position who can help. About the most I can do at this point is wish you good luck. Again, sorry about that!

[worker201]

Have companies been producing DSL winmodems? Or was that just internal dialups?

[grassprietjesteller]

Oh My God!!

Just installed FC3... What a mess!!

At a certain time I was looking in the BIOS because nothing worked... First I didn't have enough space on the /usr (an extra partition I made with RH9) (????), had a lot of problems with GRUB.. I installed the bootloader and after restart I just got a command prompt! No more.. what the hell was I supposed to do with that???? It took me a long time to restart the fool proof MS Windows, but it works. And now: no bootloader on startup, no Linux, just Windows... Back to zero :)

U know guys I'm getting a bit fed up with Linux... None of the installations worked as should be... or I'm just to stupid for it... anyway...

I didn't expect it to be this much of a problem...

Translated from Dutch we say: "I'm on the end of my Latin.." Well, I think I'm even a few languages further...

Now sleepy-time!

[Void Main]

U know guys I'm getting a bit fed up with Linux... None of the installations worked as should be...

And just what is "should be"? Is your modem on the supported hardware list? If you want to complain then you have come to the wrong place. If you are really interested in giving Linux a try and are willing to work through the learning process then you came to the right place.

[Ice9]

You're making one crucial mistake here, similar to what I did in the beginning, before Void Main pulled me through but that was another time and another place

You're blaming linux for non-working hardware.
Whose fault is it that Topcom only released drivers for Windows?

You have to remember here that linux is the efort of millions of people dedicating their (spare) time to a project they believe in, and very often people start to work on a problem without receiving the slightest bit of info from the manufacturers, just as was/is the case with the Winmodems.

You told me yourself that the Mandrake install went without a hitch and I explicitely told you that Fedora always was on the bleeding edge and in fact apart from the "problems" with FC3 the other Red Hat-based installs went fine if it wasn't for that modem and some easy to fix glitches with your display.

Now, you could just give up and go back to full-time Windows, or you could buy yourself a real modem with an ethernet port and liberate yourself.
Your choice, if you want to really give it a try, follow the advice the people here gave you and we all will try to help you out, if not, no hard feelings.

[grassprietjesteller]

Hey hey, calm down guys!

Like I told you, I'm new at this. I want to give Linux a try. Otherwise I would not have spend every night of the past week installing Linux and searching the web for a sollution.

Maybe I should buy me a new modem. But I think it's all wrong to buy new hardware according to an OS. This modem is about 2 years old and I"m not keen on investing money when I'm not sure I am really going to switch over to Linux. Like you said: "giving Linux a try".

I've installed Mandrake 10 again and I'll stick to this for a while.
Maybe some day I'll find a sollution.
Greetz

[Void Main]

But see the problem is that you haven't indicated whether you tried any of my advice at all. It's hard to give feedback when you get no acknowlegement as to whether any of the existing suggestions have been tried (checking out the drivers I linked to and asking the experts on the associated mailing list). The nice thing about Linux is that you can *usually* talk directly with the developer and he/she will be happy to help you.

As far as buying new hardware according to the OS, I do not do this. I research the hardware before I buy it and make sure it has good support in Linux. I find that usally only the crappiest of hardware is not supported, and then only because the manufacturer of the hardware provides absolutely no technical details on the hardware making it impossible to write a driver for, at the same time said manufacturer provided Windows drivers. How is this a problem with the OS? What if the situation were reversed and they only provided a Linux driver? I certainly would be amused by that but it wouldn't be the fault of Windows.

The part that really gets to me about some people giving Linux a try for the first time is that because I use it, like it, prefer it, and want to help others in their quest to be Free that somehow I owe them a working system. Well, I don't get paid by Linux, I just donate my time and sometimes programming in supporting it and trying to make it better because of all of the other people out there who have done the same thing which is the entire reason for the existence of Linux. So like I said, I can do without the "I'm at the end of my rope, Linux sucks" comments. Those should be reserved for an OS that you had to pay good money for.

If you go to most distributions web sites you will find a hardware compatability list. If your hardware is not on the list then it's hard to fault the distribution for it not working. The nice thing about Linux is you have the power to make your device work (assuming you have those technical details about the hardware from the manufacturer), unlike in many other OSs. Usually because of this a lot more of the footwork is going to have to be done by you (actually send the inquiries to the mailing lists, use google, etc). Most people find this an incredibly fun and liberating experience. If that's not your bag then maybe Linux is not for you. I'm certainly not here to sell Linux to anyone, just help those that have the same passion for it as I do.

[grassprietjesteller]

Hey,

First of course I've tried witch distro recognised my modem at once. Seems none of the ones I've tried did. So you could say, because of my lack of knowlegd, I'm stuck.

I did search the web for an answer. I've asked the help of Ice9. Got a lot of info but no real sollution. Neither on the web of on a forum. You ask for feedback: what kind of information can I give you so the problem can be resolved instead of discussing who's responsable. I really appreciate yours and everybody else's help. You can be sure of that!

I've got a link from the service department at Topcom Europe:
http://jbasket2000.tripod.com/articles/topcom851.htm
This seems to be a sollution when you have your modem connected to an ethernet adaptor. Or am I wrong?

greetz

[Ice9]

You could give this a try.
It was written for Suse but the basics shouldn't be too different, if you try to do an install and get some errors or whatever els you can always come back and post about the problems you encounter at that stage.

Edit: apparently they gave you the same link than the one I posted.
It states at the top of the page that it's for a Topcom USB modem so you should be ok.