Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Twiddle · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

Hello all ,
This is my first post here. I am brand new to linux and just got my first copy of puppy 2.15CE bootable with help from the search feature here.
My question today is where can I find out if my modem is compatable with linux? My windows dialog box tells me my modem is a

Conexent V90 DSL 56K Data Fax PCI modem,
the port being used is com 2.
The identifier says its a PCI/CPQ1602.

Will I be able to set this modem up to run on windows and linux both or will I need an external serial modem for linux? A new modem seems to be the recomended fix but I would rather not spend the money if I dont have to.
I am self taught on win98se, I have no official training on computers and by no means an expert so please be easy on me.
Thanks in advance.

bugman · Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 2131 Location: buffalo commons

Um...have you TRIED it yet?

Wink

Lobster · Posted: Mon 28 Jan 2008, 13:47 Post_subject:

working
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/ModemPageWorking

not working
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/ModemPageNonWorking

Hope that helps Smile

Twiddle · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

Um, yes I tried it.
I was hopeing it would auto detect but it didnt. I ran the connection wizard and made the best choice I thought was available (TTyslo) and recieved an error message that my choice did not seem to be a modem. I exited without saveing any information so when I try it again I will start completly over again rather than trying to fix my errors.
Thanks.

Twiddle · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

Thanks Lobster,
A quick check tells me my modem is not listed on either page.

bugman · Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 2131 Location: buffalo commons

muggins · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 6663 Location: lisbon

Hello Twiddle,

If it's the same as this one:

http://www.modem-help.co.uk/CIS/CPQ1602-Conexant-56K-Data-Fax-PCI--FCC-.html

the you would need to get the hcf driver from linuxant:

http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/hcf/downloads-installer.php

A couple of issues though. With most pupversions having 2.6 kernels, the linuxant driver is speed-limited to 14.4kbps...snail-pace. (If you were using an older puppy, say pup1.08 with a 2.4 kernel, then the driver isn't speed-limited).

To remove the speed-limit on a 2.6 kernel, you just need to buy a $US20 license.

Twiddle · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

Thanks muggins,
That looks like the one I have. Now let me see. $20.00 for the driver that lets me go more than a snails pace or $20-30 for a new modem and keeping a spare, hmmm....
I think I'll go shopping for an external that I can install in windows as a primary modem and linux will auto detect, That way I should be able to use one modem on a dual boot system. I think I know now why linux people dont like conexant modems.
I'll keep the link just in case.
Thanks

Twiddle · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 6

muggins I am curious,
how did you find the info for the conexant modem? I searched for parts of two days and couldnt that info. Google couldnt even help me.

muggins · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 6663 Location: lisbon

Hi Twiddle,

Your options, AFAIK, are:

1) Buy a real external modem & get < 56k
2) Use free conexant driver & puppy with 2.6 kernel & get 14.4k
3) Use free conexant driver & puppy with 2.4 kernel & get < 56k
4) Buy $US20 lunuxant license & pup with 2.6 kernel & get < 56k

With regard to buying a real modem, this thread might be of interest:

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?search_id=1957003013&t=23746

How did I know of the info on conexant modem? I had one for awhile, but it got retrenched when I upgraded to a 2.6 puppy.

chicks · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 65

Another option, which we just got working under Debian on a Dell PC:

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/07/17/21325.aspx

You'll need to read the license carefully, but it installed without a hitch for us, even though the modem and PC were not the ones targeted by Dell.

It does have to be compiled on the target PC, and I have no idea of the mechanics involved in getting a .deb installed under Puppy...

muggins · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 6663 Location: lisbon

chicks,

Do you know, offhand, if this driver has the speed limitation for 2.6 kernels? I've got a HSF PCI card floating around, so I'll give it a try. However, I thought Twiddle had a conexant HCF modem, which, if that's the case, won't be helped by the Dell HSF driver.

tempestuous · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 4950 Location: Australia

jcoder24 has been the Conexant HSF/HCF softmodem authority in the past -
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=2258

but I seem to recall that the NON-SPEED-LIMITED Conexant source code which jcoder provides won't compile on modern kernels.

That Dell hsf .deb package looks promising; I just extracted it now and I see that it contains source code, with an automated installer.
For the installer to work you would need to have the Puppy build tools (devx) installed ...
and maybe also the Puppy kernel source installed.

Similarly, ASUS has made available the modem source code for the optional Conexant RD02-D110 modem for the Eee small laptop.

chicks · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 65

This is not the crippled version of the driver, it's full speed. There are apparently two versions:

http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_7.10/Issues/New_Conexant_Modem_Driver

purple_ghost · Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 414

Make sure it is a true hardware modem. An External Serial Port Modem is always a hardware modem. Some of the USB external modems are WinModems, I.E. Softmodems and some of these would never work with Linux.

Also, very important. Make sure your computer has a Serial Port before you buy. Some of the later computers do not have Serial Ports.