Dialup/Wireless Modem Upgrade Packages for Puppy 4.3+
Posted: Thu 01 Jul 2010, 02:28
REVISED 3/10/2011:
Announcing the final version (on 3/10/2011) of the modem and pup_event fix packs, "version 11" (although labeled only with the release date). The attached package is appropriate for woof-derived puppies that do not include the "zzz" replacement for this logic (up to about March 1, 2011), and the original puppy 4.3.1/4.3.2 (any variant).
I need some of you wireless-modem users to test this, particularly if getting the right ttyUSB port is an issue. While I have tested the pieces of the upgrade, I am unable to test with a real wireless modem, so need reports of any regression problems, too.
The main advances beyond the original 4.3.x are:
- Better support for wireless modems that use a port other than ttyUSB0 or ttyACM0, by either finding the correct port or allowing the user to find it in pupdial.
- Reduction of firmware (initialization script) tarballs for ttyUSB devices, by using a single tarball for all (36+) specialized front-end drivers for the usbserial module.
- Correction of modem detection impacted by the presence of Conexant modems. If a built-in modem is not detected initially, a reboot may then result in a correct detection (ttySL0).
- Modification of the pupdial window to be more usable on small screens.
PupDial operational changes:
- "Test" section button changes:
-- For wireless modems, the "ttyxxxx" button may show ports other than the current selection, indicating that another port may work better -- clicking tests that port and selects it if successful. Each possibility will show in the button on successive uses of it.
-- The "probe" button is renamed "Choose", to reflect the expanded purpose of the original ""modem probe" sub-dialog -- to control the selection of modem port, probing being one such means.
- The "GOOD! Modem selected" message is made more appropriate, fitting on a single line and reflecting whether the modem is newly detected or the same as earlier.
- The "Disconnect" and "Exit" buttons are moved above the Status Log, which can extend below the desktop, making the buttons accessible on a short screen.
Connect Wizard change: If the previously selected modem is no longer attached, that condition is stated instead of "No modem detected".
About the package installation:
1. For a new puppy 4.3.1 or 4.3.2 installation, first create a pupsave file or a full installation of puppy, and reboot. This is necessary because, otherwise, some no-longer-used files and directories may not stay deleted over the first reboot.
2. Install modem-modprobe_fix_pack_to_43x-20110310.pet
3. Future usb-modeswitch packages can probably be installed over this "modem-modprobe" package, which would replace the current modeswitch components. Be sure to reboot before using the updated mode switcher, to allow puppy to adapt it for this "protected" installation. (or run from the command line: pusbmodeswitch_protect).
Please post any feedback to this thread. The old "Integrated 3G wireless..." project thread is only for earlier puppy versions, 4.2 and older. If you encounter a problem, please run the command, pmodemdiag, and attach the tarball file it produces in your home directory, to your posting.
I intend this as my final major upgrade to modem support, but expect more "fine tuning" as users report unique issues. Thank you for whatever assistance you can provide to debug or verify this upgrade.
Richard
I have moved the history of this project out of this message, to here: http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 115#503115
UPDATE 3/10/2011: Replaced all 5 of the previously attached packages with a single package containing updated versions of them. It can be installed on any existing installation of puppy 4.3.x or later, but not wary or quirky (which replace the content with a different implementation), and puppeee (which has unique requirements).
This package is for upgrading existing puppy installations; if you are starting with a 4.3.1 or 4.3.2 CD or iso file, a more comprehensive upgrade is provided by the Simplified Puppy 4.3.1/4.3.2 Upgrade Center thread dedicated to that case, at http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 889#483889
I feel I have gone as far as I can with these areas for the "pre-zzz" puppies -- until I see reports of problems or issues with these packages. Just let me know.
Richard
UPDATE 3/13/2011: Uploaded version with corrections to alsaconf and modprobe_protect for sound cards, after download number 5. Ready for testing with Luci 254.
UPDATE 3/17/2011: Uploaded version with corrections to module loading and alsa support. Module loading failed if an "install" statement for a module is present in the modprobe.d directory. This problem probably also exists in wary and woof! The ALSA scripts are those used in Lucid pup 254, with minor updates.
Later, same day: Re-uploaded the package after download number 8, to correct the script that converts the modeswitcher to "protected" interface, as well as the pinstall script, to work in a puppy build situation.
UPDATE 3/19/2011: Uploaded version with sound card number assignment corrected so that with multiple cards, the first found is retained across reboots and that non-audio cards (e.g., modems) do not disable audio cards. The ALSA wizard can be used to set the preferred card (driver), to override the automatic choice. The modem part needs testing by someone with an ALSA modem.
UPDATE 3/20/2011: Uploaded version with more sound card corrections related to the ALSA Wizard (for changing sound cards and drivers). This should also restore the "woof-woof" following a change in driver module selection.
UPDATE 3/21/2011: Uploaded version with updated remaster script that prevents propagating the now-obsolete files and directories to the remaster result.
UPDATE 4/17/2011: Uploaded version with further remaster and upgrade/update refinements -- as special versions for installing the modem-modprobe package. Improved the i915 fix for eccentric Intel 845 video controllers (such as mine). Reworked the Lucid-pup personal configuration logic to support remastering (and multiple versions of lupu). Verified functionality with Lucid-pups 5.25, 5.20, 5.11 and 5.01.
UPDATE 4/21/2011: Uploaded modem-modprobe fix with only cosmetic and insignificant changes (after download 14), and the pre-update package (after download 4)) to support update to pupsaves already containing the modem-modprobe fix and to retain the fix.
UPDATE 6/23/2011: Uploaded modem-modprobe fix to (1) correct its failure to install into lupu 5.2+ (due to missing depmod executable and hang), (2) rework the Lucid Puppy "personal configuration popup" for compatibility with the remaster script and avoid the need for a special user workaround, (3) eliminate repeated "unknown operand" messages in xerrs.log and (4) support lupu 5.25 retro and the installation of modem drivers into it.
UPDATE 7/2/2011: Uploaded modem-modprobe fix after download number 30, with usb_modeswitch upgraded to 1.1.8 and its 20110619 data base.
UPDATE 8/6/2011: Uploaded new usb_modeswitch package, 1.1.9 and its 20110805 data base. Intended for Lucid Puppy 5.27 and above, and Wary 5.1.2. It can also be installed over modem-modprobe package 20110702 for puppy-4.3.1-based distros, but will be included in the next version of modem-modprobe.
UPDATE 9/5/2011: Uploaded modem-modprobe fix after download number 241, with usb_modeswitch upgraded to 1.1.9 and its 20110805 data base. It contains bug fixes up to the level of lucid pup 5.2.8, so is not to be installed into lupu 5.2.8 or later.
UPDATE 11/14/2011: Uploaded new usb_modeswitch package, 1.2.0 and its 20111023 data base. Intended for Lucid Puppy 5.28 with IU2 and above. It can also be installed over modem-modprobe package 20110908 for puppy-4.3.1-based distros, but will be included in the next version of modem-modprobe.
EDIT: Note that wary service pack 5.2.1 already contains usb_modeswitch 1.2.0 and its data base. The service pack should be used instead of this new modeswitch package, for wary 5.2.
Announcing the final version (on 3/10/2011) of the modem and pup_event fix packs, "version 11" (although labeled only with the release date). The attached package is appropriate for woof-derived puppies that do not include the "zzz" replacement for this logic (up to about March 1, 2011), and the original puppy 4.3.1/4.3.2 (any variant).
I need some of you wireless-modem users to test this, particularly if getting the right ttyUSB port is an issue. While I have tested the pieces of the upgrade, I am unable to test with a real wireless modem, so need reports of any regression problems, too.
The main advances beyond the original 4.3.x are:
- Better support for wireless modems that use a port other than ttyUSB0 or ttyACM0, by either finding the correct port or allowing the user to find it in pupdial.
- Reduction of firmware (initialization script) tarballs for ttyUSB devices, by using a single tarball for all (36+) specialized front-end drivers for the usbserial module.
- Correction of modem detection impacted by the presence of Conexant modems. If a built-in modem is not detected initially, a reboot may then result in a correct detection (ttySL0).
- Modification of the pupdial window to be more usable on small screens.
PupDial operational changes:
- "Test" section button changes:
-- For wireless modems, the "ttyxxxx" button may show ports other than the current selection, indicating that another port may work better -- clicking tests that port and selects it if successful. Each possibility will show in the button on successive uses of it.
-- The "probe" button is renamed "Choose", to reflect the expanded purpose of the original ""modem probe" sub-dialog -- to control the selection of modem port, probing being one such means.
- The "GOOD! Modem selected" message is made more appropriate, fitting on a single line and reflecting whether the modem is newly detected or the same as earlier.
- The "Disconnect" and "Exit" buttons are moved above the Status Log, which can extend below the desktop, making the buttons accessible on a short screen.
Connect Wizard change: If the previously selected modem is no longer attached, that condition is stated instead of "No modem detected".
About the package installation:
1. For a new puppy 4.3.1 or 4.3.2 installation, first create a pupsave file or a full installation of puppy, and reboot. This is necessary because, otherwise, some no-longer-used files and directories may not stay deleted over the first reboot.
2. Install modem-modprobe_fix_pack_to_43x-20110310.pet
3. Future usb-modeswitch packages can probably be installed over this "modem-modprobe" package, which would replace the current modeswitch components. Be sure to reboot before using the updated mode switcher, to allow puppy to adapt it for this "protected" installation. (or run from the command line: pusbmodeswitch_protect).
Please post any feedback to this thread. The old "Integrated 3G wireless..." project thread is only for earlier puppy versions, 4.2 and older. If you encounter a problem, please run the command, pmodemdiag, and attach the tarball file it produces in your home directory, to your posting.
I intend this as my final major upgrade to modem support, but expect more "fine tuning" as users report unique issues. Thank you for whatever assistance you can provide to debug or verify this upgrade.
Richard
I have moved the history of this project out of this message, to here: http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 115#503115
UPDATE 3/10/2011: Replaced all 5 of the previously attached packages with a single package containing updated versions of them. It can be installed on any existing installation of puppy 4.3.x or later, but not wary or quirky (which replace the content with a different implementation), and puppeee (which has unique requirements).
This package is for upgrading existing puppy installations; if you are starting with a 4.3.1 or 4.3.2 CD or iso file, a more comprehensive upgrade is provided by the Simplified Puppy 4.3.1/4.3.2 Upgrade Center thread dedicated to that case, at http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 889#483889
I feel I have gone as far as I can with these areas for the "pre-zzz" puppies -- until I see reports of problems or issues with these packages. Just let me know.
Richard
UPDATE 3/13/2011: Uploaded version with corrections to alsaconf and modprobe_protect for sound cards, after download number 5. Ready for testing with Luci 254.
UPDATE 3/17/2011: Uploaded version with corrections to module loading and alsa support. Module loading failed if an "install" statement for a module is present in the modprobe.d directory. This problem probably also exists in wary and woof! The ALSA scripts are those used in Lucid pup 254, with minor updates.
Later, same day: Re-uploaded the package after download number 8, to correct the script that converts the modeswitcher to "protected" interface, as well as the pinstall script, to work in a puppy build situation.
UPDATE 3/19/2011: Uploaded version with sound card number assignment corrected so that with multiple cards, the first found is retained across reboots and that non-audio cards (e.g., modems) do not disable audio cards. The ALSA wizard can be used to set the preferred card (driver), to override the automatic choice. The modem part needs testing by someone with an ALSA modem.
UPDATE 3/20/2011: Uploaded version with more sound card corrections related to the ALSA Wizard (for changing sound cards and drivers). This should also restore the "woof-woof" following a change in driver module selection.
UPDATE 3/21/2011: Uploaded version with updated remaster script that prevents propagating the now-obsolete files and directories to the remaster result.
UPDATE 4/17/2011: Uploaded version with further remaster and upgrade/update refinements -- as special versions for installing the modem-modprobe package. Improved the i915 fix for eccentric Intel 845 video controllers (such as mine). Reworked the Lucid-pup personal configuration logic to support remastering (and multiple versions of lupu). Verified functionality with Lucid-pups 5.25, 5.20, 5.11 and 5.01.
UPDATE 4/21/2011: Uploaded modem-modprobe fix with only cosmetic and insignificant changes (after download 14), and the pre-update package (after download 4)) to support update to pupsaves already containing the modem-modprobe fix and to retain the fix.
UPDATE 6/23/2011: Uploaded modem-modprobe fix to (1) correct its failure to install into lupu 5.2+ (due to missing depmod executable and hang), (2) rework the Lucid Puppy "personal configuration popup" for compatibility with the remaster script and avoid the need for a special user workaround, (3) eliminate repeated "unknown operand" messages in xerrs.log and (4) support lupu 5.25 retro and the installation of modem drivers into it.
UPDATE 7/2/2011: Uploaded modem-modprobe fix after download number 30, with usb_modeswitch upgraded to 1.1.8 and its 20110619 data base.
UPDATE 8/6/2011: Uploaded new usb_modeswitch package, 1.1.9 and its 20110805 data base. Intended for Lucid Puppy 5.27 and above, and Wary 5.1.2. It can also be installed over modem-modprobe package 20110702 for puppy-4.3.1-based distros, but will be included in the next version of modem-modprobe.
UPDATE 9/5/2011: Uploaded modem-modprobe fix after download number 241, with usb_modeswitch upgraded to 1.1.9 and its 20110805 data base. It contains bug fixes up to the level of lucid pup 5.2.8, so is not to be installed into lupu 5.2.8 or later.
UPDATE 11/14/2011: Uploaded new usb_modeswitch package, 1.2.0 and its 20111023 data base. Intended for Lucid Puppy 5.28 with IU2 and above. It can also be installed over modem-modprobe package 20110908 for puppy-4.3.1-based distros, but will be included in the next version of modem-modprobe.
EDIT: Note that wary service pack 5.2.1 already contains usb_modeswitch 1.2.0 and its data base. The service pack should be used instead of this new modeswitch package, for wary 5.2.