More Dial-Up Questions

Old Regular Posts : 47 Join date : 2010-02-25

I have successfully installed a US Robotics 5610c modem. I can connect to an ISP using KInternet and dial out using KPPP, but can't get Firefox to talk using the dial-up connection. I have a couple of problems:

(1) Using Yast>Network Devices>Modem, and changes made to the modem initialization strings are not retained.

(2) Yast>Network Devices>Network Settings shows only the ethernet card. It does not show "modem" as an option for adding a device.

I have never configured a dial-up connection in Linux. so don't know where to go next. I know some members of the forum have used dial-up, so I would appreciate any guidance.

I am using openSuSE 11.1/KDE3.

Many thanks in advance.

Old Regular Posts : 9 Join date : 2010-02-24

Two questions to get a bit of background

is it a broadband modem or a Plain Old Telephone System 56 K modem?
is it an internal PCI (so called "soft") modem or an external plugin job?

Old Regular Posts : 47 Join date : 2010-02-25

Hi Swerdna,

First can I say thank you for all your advice on your web-site. You have rescued me from catastrophe many times!

The modem is an internal PCI card 56K unit. Manufacturers details are here.

I bought this unit as a Linux compatible device primarily for send/receiving faxes (after giving up in desperation with a winmodem), but thought it sensible to get it communicating as a network device first.

My main connection is via ethernet card to an adsl modem/router.

Hope this helps.

Subject: Re: More Dial-Up Questions Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:24 pm

How is Firefox set for connection? In Preferences> Advanced>Network Tab do you have - No proxy selected? Also have you disabled Ipv6? If you are able to Dial to your ISP and stay connected, Firefox should use the connection unless you are also connected via Ethernet to the net. Can't use both.

As for the Fax situation, it is difficult to get Fax working in openSUSE. It is just not supported very well. I had it working back in 10.0 days but have not been able to do it since than. If I have to Fax I use my VM of Win 98 to run the thing. Though its been over 6 mos since I did so and that was running 11.0 as the Host.

Old Regular Posts : 9 Join date : 2010-02-24

I'm not much help on modems but I can say this:

they shouldn't show up in amongst the network cards in Yast, they should only show up in Yast at the modem section.
if you can dial out and get a connection with your ISP but no joy from Firefox, it's possible that the Name Servers aren't telling you (Firefox) where to look for web pages.

Add the IP addresses of the Name Servers provided by your ISP into the Modem settings area of Yast. Name servers tell where to go for items on the Internet.

Old Regular Posts : 47 Join date : 2010-02-25

Many thanks Mattb and Swerdna.

All is now working!

I don't know what actually did the trick, but I disabled IPv6, turned off Privoxy, and added openDNS server addresses to the modem configuration.

I had forgotten how SLOW dial-up was!!! Anyway, I've now proven the modem, so it's onward and upward (well - sideways at least)

Suseunbound wins again cheers

Subject: Re: More Dial-Up Questions Sat Mar 20, 2010 11:25 am

Glad you are getting somewhere. Yes, Dialup is sloooww... That is why I was happy to move up to ADSL here this year.