US Robotics 56K Fax modem gives up at "initializing modem" (solved)

to the Club of Frustrated Modem Users.

Since you've been researching the posts, I won't rehearse ideas presented elsewhere. I use Creative Blaster too, but I've also had some luck getting even winmodems to work. And here's one point you may not have come across: I've had internal modems work on earlier versions of Mepis (when they won't work on Mepis 6.0, or other distros like Ubuntu or Damn Small Linux).

Ex: When a modem (other than Creative Blaster) that worked fine on MepisLite or Mepis 3.4.x won't work on Mepis 6.0, I get a similar response to what you describe; but in my case Mepis finds the modem, dials, initializes...but quits when it gets to login. This seems like a simple matter of getting the settings right somewhere. I think it'll get solved eventually.

My point is that, in the meantime, you might not have to shell out $ for another Creative Blaster. Just try a live CD of an earlier Mepis or even MepisLite. Some people use one of those all the time. It might be good for you until the 6.0 modem glitch gets ironed out.

Good luck.

--Malanrich

Hi, it's been awhile since i've used dialup but I did have a USRobotics ext serial modem with MEPIS. I remember needing to add AT&F1 to the modem initilization string in the KPPP settings. Maybe worth a shot ...hopefully it's just something simple like that.

Thank you Malanrich and GreenHat

Probably the best thing I could have done was put the old winmodem back in the computer (if it can be found hidden in the closet of ever expending "original" boxes), used my dual boot Windows 2 K to bid on another Creative Blaster modem. I did the knee jerk reaction and bought what was available in external serial.

I was thinking last night what it could be that is the problem with modems working in LINUX. As you say, it is a club, and a big one at that. I'm no computer programmer, but I would hope that this is an area that is being worked on. For one, when your modem goes out for some reason or another, you can't go online to bid on a reliabe one, say, Creative Blaster. So, you're resovled to drive to town and pick up what is available and it's ususually the newest products. Next time, I'll buy two Creative modems. It's always good to have a back-up!

I'm about to take the Creative Modem apart and see where the frying occurred.

GreenHat, I appreciate that bit of information and will give it a try.

I have bootable Simply Mepis versions 3.4-3, 6.0, and my ordered disk came two days ago: 6.0-1. I gave it a quick whirl. I'll have to try it again and see how it goes.

Thanks fellas!

Lisa

Edited to add, that I'm back on line using live SM 6.0-1. I wanted to mention that the modem is queried, and shows data, but in the modem command tab, there are only three fields with any data. Using live SM, it is showing data in every field, and I see on initializing string 1, it has, ATZ. I tried adding the command that GreenHat gave me, but it didn't do anything.

Using both of your help, I was able to come up with a simply solution.

Using the Live SM disk, I was able to copy all the information filled out in the KPPP Modem Commands fields. (These were mostly blank with installed SM.) Rebooted into installed SM, and manually added each field:

30
ATZ
(blank)
30
70
OK
ATX3
ATDT
CONNECT
BUSY
NO CARRIER
NO DIALTONE
+++ATH
OK
ATA
RING
CONNECT
DIGITAL LINE DETECTED
+++
OK
50
M0L0 M1L1 M1L3

I rebooted computer and the settings were still there.

I'm shaking my head, as I should have thought of using the Live disk sooner. Thanks again to the both of you for helpig me!

Cheerio,

Lisa

Dr. Lazarus: By Grabthar's hammer, we live to tell the tale. Surrender may be our only option!
Commander: No! Never give up ... NEVER surrender.
From, Galaxy Quest

Excellent sleuthing, Lisa. And you're helping others in a big way. [It seems I'd tried something like your solution but without success. Now I'm thinking I may have missed something and will try again. Maybe you'll help me get my 6.0 working again.]

--Malanrich