De: Jacques Goldberg Enviado el: mié 30/04/2008 15:27 Para: PEDRO MACANAS VALVERDE CC: linmodems.org Asunto: Re: Help needed with driver please >Pedro, >It is very nice when people contribute some of their knowledge to the public. Specially, if there is not other answer ;-) >On your mail, however, I must add a few remarks because our discussion is archived with a powerful search engine and future users may be mislead by information insufficiently checked for relevance. >My remarks are added in CAPITAL letters in your message. >Thanks again - Jacques OK. I hope you don´t be very agressive with me ;-D > >> It is a Conexant HCF 56k Data/Fax Modem . HCF modems are primarilty PCI plug > in cards and are also available as external USB modems. (you can also try > http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/modemident.php#listmodem ) >THE LINK ABOVE IS FOR A WINDOWS PROGRAM DETECTING THE CONEXANT MODEM CHIP PRESENT IN THE COMPUTER. Sorry, it is a mistype. The right address is similar: http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/modemident.php >THE SAME RESULT AS GIVEN BY THIS PROGRAM IS ANYWAY PRESENT IN THE OUTPUT OF SCANMODEM. THE OUTPUT OF SCANMODEM CONTAINS FURTHER INFORMATION WHICH IS VITAL TO SELECT AND INSTALL THE RIGHT LINUXANT DRIVER UNDER SO MANY DIFFERENT LINUX DISTRIBUTIONS. Scanmodem has not worked for me. I have to use Wvdialconf to detect my Huawei E220 and configure it. > Interesting links: > > * http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/ (Conexant drivers). You can use the > automatic installer (good!). YOU CAN USE THE AUTOMATIC INSTALLER IF YOUR COMPUTER IS ALREADY CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET NETWORK. YOU CANNOT USE THE AUTOMATIC INSTALLER IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY CONNECTED TO THE NETWORK WITHOUT THE CONEXANT MODEM. THE EASY INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN THE OUTPUT OF SCANMODEM ALWAYS WORK AS THEY DO NOT DEPEND ON HAVING THE COMPUTER IN NEED OF THE DRIVER ALREADY CONNECTED. I agree this is very important. I have this disconnection hell (related with a dependency hell). I could install the Vodafone Mobile Connect Card driver for Linux <http://correu.cs.san.gva.es/wiki/Vodafone_Mobile_Connect_Card_driver_for_Linux> but cannot connect to the Internet using the modem to download the dependencies. And because I have not the dependencies, I cannot connect to the Internet. As said, it is a disconnection hell. Because of this, I am going to use http://offline.debian.net to download dependencies. So, I have to use the computer at work. More problems: * There is no automatic configuration. * I cannot use Ethernet over USB (and sequencely, DHCP) with my Huawei E220 to automatically connect to the Internet. It was a pleasure to connect with my ADSL/cablemodem to the Internet with no configuration. Only plug the modem and surf the Internet (even in Live CD OS). This is very important !!. > > * http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/maillists.php I CLICKED THIS LINK, SELECTED FIRST QUARTER OF 2008 FOR HCF, TO VIEW BY THREAD, AND GOT THIS: First quarter 2008 Archives by thread * Messages sorted by: [ subject ] [ author ] [ date ] * More info on this list... Starting: Tue Jan 22 16:22:16 EST 2008 Ending: Tue Jan 22 16:22:16 EST 2008 Messages: 1 * [hcflinux] SALE 75% OFF on Pfizer admin at Viagra.com Last message date: Tue Jan 22 16:22:16 EST 2008 Archived on: Tue Jan 22 16:22:19 EST 2008 * Messages sorted by: [ subject ] [ author ] [ date ] * More info on this list... FOR COMPARISON, OPEN http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/welcome.html#archive SELECT YEAR 2008 , SEARCH FOR HCF It was also a place to make a question, if no answer was giving in this list. Better than a list archive, really I prefer a wiki page, where you can go directly to the more interesting information. If nothing that you searched is found in the wiki, them you can search in lists and other places. > > * http://www.conexant.com/support/files/gendriv_inst.pdf (generic drivers). THIS DESCRIBES HOW TO INSTALL CONEXANT DRIVERS FOR WINDOWS, NOT FOR LINUX. > Yes, but you can use a generic driver in the case you cannot find a customized driver. I don´t know how to do it in Linux (it was my problem also with my referenced Huawei E220 autodetection and configuration). We can think about these features from elsewhere. > > I would like to see Ubuntu/Linux would auto-detect and configure more modems > out-of-the-box . > LINUX, INCLUDING UBUNTU, IS ALSO OPEN SOURCE IN ADDITION TO BEING FREE. Yes, I love this and this must be that way :-) IT WOULD VIOLATE THE COPYRIGHTS OF THE MODEM MANUFACTURERS, AND THE MOST BASIC RULES OF THE LINUX COMMUNITY, TO INCLUDE ANY COMMERCIAL "PRODUCT" IN THE DISTRIBUTION. But, we can include FREE drivers and free generic drivers. Sound Blaster can be an example (it is a "de facto" standard for basic sound cards). FURTHERMORE, THE SOURCE CODE FOR THE CORE OF THE DRIVERS IS NOT OPEN (NOT AVAILABLE) (CORE IS THE CORRECT WORD FOR WHAT SOME PEOPLE NAME blobs). Generic drivers WOULD be free drivers. For customized features, makers must provide (free) drivers. And customer must know they are or not buying a device linux compatible device. THE EXCEPTION IS FOR MODEMS SUPPORTED BY THE ALSA DRIVER ALONG WITH THE SMARTLINK INTERFACE KNOWN AS ALSA VERSION OS SLMODEM. HOWEVER THE "BOX", IT IT DOES, COMES WITH SOME FROZEN VERSION OF THE ALSA PACKAGES, WHILE NEW VERSIONS ARE NEEDED FOR NEW MODEMS WHICH WERE NOT SUPPORTED BY THE PRECEDING ONE. SO THIS KIND OF "OUT OF THE BOX" IS BOUND TO MAKE USERS BELIEVE THAT THEIR MODEM CANNOT BE USED. How can one solve this ?. > And a Ethernet-over-USB configuration (to use DHCP and > plug-and-surf) COULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT YOU WISH TO HAVE? Only plug the USB modem and surf the Internet, in a similar way to a ADSL or cablemodem. For this, we can use Ethernet-over-USB and DHCP. I INSTALLED THE LINUXANT HSF DRIVER IN AN UBUNTU PARTITION ON ONE OF MY COMPUTERS (I NORMALLY USE REDHAT). I JUST HAD TO CONFIGURE THE MODEM ONCE FOR ALL I prefer no configuration or zero configuration (with USB cell modems) ;-) AND START THE DEVICE, TO BE CONNECTED WITH DHCP AND "SURF" (PLUS ALL THE REST OF NETWORK ACTIVITIES) ARE YOU EXPECTING AN AUTOMATIC INSTALLER TO KNOW THE PHONE NUMBER, USERNAME AND PASSWORD GIVEN TO YOU BY YOUR ISP? Why do I have to use an username and password when I am using a phone number. My phone number could be my username. And I could optionally use (or as first attempt use) it without a password. It is know that ISP can give a lot of problems, if they want, with your connection to the Internet. Because of this, I prefer DSL-like systems with easy access to the Internet. > NOTHING MORE THAN THAT HAS TO BE GIVEN TO THE INTERNET CONFIGURATION WIZZARD WHICH COMES WITH UBUNTU! I tried to connect, but I could not because the modem was not detected. I have to use Wvdialconf. Very different way to the followed before to use my ADSL/cablemodem. Only plug and surf (LiveCd did all). > See: > > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Outofthebox/Modem THIS IS WHAT I SEE THERE (STILL, MY REMARKS IN UPPER CASE): Design For soundcard-like modems compatible with the sl-modem-daemon, we will have full support. This package works but has some wrinkles which need fixing, and it needs putting on the CD. THE AUTHOR OF THIS ITEM IN THE QUOTED WIKI PAGE PROBABLY IGNORES THAT SL-MODEM-DAEMON CAN BE STARTED WITH ANY MODEM, BUT WILL FAIL WITH MODEMS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE ALSA DRIVERS LIBRARY, OR WITH THE COPYRIGHTED, When one needs copyrighted driver, the autodetector/autoconfigurator can * Redirect to a page with the drivers to download (or a generic web page for the driver). * Propose the installation of a generic driver. We would have generic drivers for as much modem as we can (with generic functions). THEREFORE NOT ALLOWED TO BE DISTRIBUTED, SMARTLINK VERSION OF THE SLMODEM PACKAGE. COMPATIBILITY IS WITH THE ALSA LIBRARY OR WITH GENUINE SMARTLINK HARDWARE, NOT WITH SL-MODEM-DAEMON. SL-MODEM-DAEMON IS NOT A DRIVER. Added to the wiki page. In any case, feel free to improve the page. >>Other modems typically involve a non-free kernel driver. We will decide on these on a case-by-case basis. >DO THE AUTHORS OF THE WIKI DOCUMENT WHICH YOU RECOMMEND INTEND TO INFRINGE THE COPYRIGHT LAWS AND/OR THE LINUX OPEN SOURCE COMMITEMENT, EVEN ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS? They are going to deciede what to do in a case by case basis, if to make a free (kernel) driver for the device (to replace the propietary or binary driver). Or propose a more generic free driver for automatic installation. >>Reasonable drivers use the standard kernel device detection mechanisms. >>This avoids any need for unpleasant tools like "scanmodem" or Wvdialconf. >HOWEVER, LINUX DRIVERS HAPPEN TO BE WHAT THE AUTHOR OF THE WIKI PAGE RATES AS UNREASONABLE (THIS IS NOT WHAT I BELIEVE, OF COURSE, JUST IN CASE). THEREFORE, DRIVING PEOPLE AWAY OF SCANMODEM AND WVDIALCONF WILL GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO DRIVING THESE PEOPLE AWAY FROM LINUX, AS UNEXPERIENCED OR MODERATELY EXPERIENCED PEOPLE, NOT ABLE TO INVENT WHAT SCANMODEM AND WVDIALCONF DO, WILL BE FRUSTRATED WITH A MODEMLESS COMPUTER. It can be used, but in a transparent way for the newbie. Why do I have to know lots and lots of Linux technical data to connect to a web page when I am a newbie ?. This can be a second step, when I want to improve my connection or acquire specialized knowledge (i.e. as I can acquire more specialized knowledge about graphics cards). I prefer a computer that automatically detects the modem and configure it. >>PEOPLE WHO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT LINUX MODEM DRIVERS WILL ENJOY READING THE FOLLOWING WEB LINK REFERED BY PEDRO See also Outofthebox/Modem/Softmodem >WHICH IS REMARKABLY FULL OF MISLEADING INFORMATION. This is a subpage to other project from https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/winmodem-support I prefer to talk about USB cell modems (autodetection and autoconfiguration for an easy connection). FOR EXAMPLE: Intel 536 and 537: drivers with binary blobs available from Intel; however the licence does not permit us to redistribute and the driver is not compatible with current kernels. WHICH IS GROSSLY WRONG, AND IN THE REFERENCES SECTION: # Intel stuff at [WWW] http://www.intel.com/design/modems/support/drivers.htm (and then 5 pages of clicking). # Intel 537: [WWW] http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=1230&DwnldID=9284&strOSs=39&OSFullName=Linux*&lang=eng <http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=1230&DwnldID=9284&strOSs=39&OSFullName=Linux*<=eng> # Intel 536: [WWW] http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=977&DwnldID=9266&strOSs=39&OSFullName=Linux*&lang=eng <http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=977&DwnldID=9266&strOSs=39&OSFullName=Linux*<=eng> OF WHICH NONE HAS ANYTHING OF VALUE WITH CURRENT UBUNTU DISTRIBUTIONS, MAKING THE INNOCENT READER THAT SHE/HE CANNOT USE AN INTEL 536 OR 537 MODEM, WHILE SCANMODEM TELLS WHICH DRIVER TO PICK UP AT: http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/packages/Intel/Philippe.Vouters/ >ONE CANNOT EVEN SAY THAT THE UNFORTUNATELY SUGGESTED HAPPENS TO BE OBSOLETE, SINCE IT IS STAMPED last edited 2008-04-30 12:55:36 by Pedrom Really, renamed. I don´t like the name "winmodem", I prefer "softmodem". Really, see the page history and later print here what you see. In any case, I improve this (it is not mine) page adding your link. And feel free to improve the page, as other did (you can see their names in the page). FINALLY, I FEEL IT USEFUL TO INSIST THAT INCLUDIND SCANMODEM IN ANY LINUX DISTRIBUTION IS A MAJOR MISTAKE BECAUSE UPDATES ARE PERFORMED SEVERAL TIMES EACH MONTH, TO HELP USING NEW MODEMS, NEW KERNELS, ETC... WHAT A SMART DISTRIBUTION SHOULD DO IS TO SEND THE USER TO http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/#scanModem URGING THE USER TO USE SCANMODEM IN ITS VERY LAST VERSION. I agree. But remember what we talked at the beginning. What to do with a connection hell ( this is, when you cannot connect to the Internet to download the scanmodem ?. You could not download the last version. In this case, I suggest use the installed version and, if the user has an alternative way or it does not work, download and install the last version. In any case, after connection the program would look for the last version and recommend download it (opening a message, as happens in other programs). Downloading and is easy in Ubuntu. I have to use Wvdialconf because scanmodem does not worked for me. I am here trying to find the "lost step(s)" ;-) so newbies can have it more easy next time to plug and surf.. Regards. Pedro.
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