Re: [SLUG] USB Modem

From: Tim Wright (t.wright1@mindspring.com)
Date: Thu Jan 22 2004 - 21:03:07 EST


This is a hardware controlled external modem, not a Winmodem. I checked that
before pulling it off the shelf. My problem is establishing communication
with the modem through a USB port.

I'm pretty ignorant of the nuances in USB and may have overlooked something
for setting the modem up in KPPP. At least I hope it's that simple. I don't
know what's triggering the "Can't open modem" error message in KPPP. Some
weirdness in the BIOS fools KPPP into thinking there's a modem at ttyS0
(whether a device is physically present or not), but of course nothing
responds to AT commands. Maybe I need to redirect ports or something.

If anything, this cheap Acer has helped me to appreciate how well-built my
IBM 300GL is.

On Wednesday 21 January 2004 23:36, you wrote:
> Check if your modem is host or hardware controlled. If it is host
> controlled you may be SOL ("Host Controlled" = "WinModem").
>
> On Wed, 2004-01-21 at 22:11, Tim Wright wrote:
> > I've been trying to connect an external USB modem (Actiontec 56k/V.92)
> > to this cheapie Acer PC and have been hitting a brick wall. The box
> > has 3 built-in USB ports: one for the keyboard (USB mouse plugs into
> > the keyboard) and 2 available for other hardware.
> >
> > When configuring KPPP, I can't query or communicate with the modem. When
> > I set it for a USB device (/dev/usb/ttyACM0 thru ttyACM4) I get a "can't
> > open modem" error. Ports ttyS1 through ttyS3 respond as "modem busy," and
> > ttyS0 acts like there's modem there, but all the query fields come up
> > blank. Port ttyS0 responds this way with or without the external modem
> > plugged in, and with or without the old Winmodem plugged in.
> >
> > Because this box has no serial port plug, I tried getting a serial card
> > to plug into the now-vacant PCI internal modem slot. The Actiontec "USB"
> > modem is a serial modem with a USB adapter. The parallel-serial cards at
> > the store were all too large to fit the low profile case, but a 2-plug
> > USB card fits. All five USB ports work: I plugged in the keyboard and
> > mouse in various combinations with the computer on and off, and in all
> > cases the system sees the keyboard and mouse. However, it still doesn't
> > see the modem.
> >
> > I figured a hardware modem should work for this box. Serial
> > communication is serial communication, although I know just enough
> > about USB to be dangerous. This PC runs Mepis and Knoppix just fine,
> > both from the live CD and installed on the hard drive. What am I doing
> > wrong?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked
Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages
posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.3 : Fri Aug 01 2014 - 20:28:44 EDT