C++ compiler and lyx install

Hello- I'm (a newbie) trying to do something relatively simple: install lyx on debian. When I try to use configure it complains that it's unable to find a working C++ compiler (that I'm virtually certain exists). What am I missing? Here's my failed configure attempt:

Winmodem?

I've just installed the base Debian system, and haven't been able to get my modem to respond so I can install the rest. I found a description of the problem with Winmodems (my new gateway has a US Robotics 56K WinModem) in the Debian installation instructions, and am just wondering if anything

modem problems

Ok, got my new debian system up and running at work (yahoo!!), now i'm trying to do the same at home. Everything seems to have installed properly, but i can't get my modem to respond. I tried a cat /dev/ ttyS1 atdt## to see if i could get a response, and nothing. I'm sure that the modem is on

/dev/fd0

I can't seem to get my floppy drive to work under Debian. For example, when trying to format a disk with: superformat /dev/fd0 hd sect=18 I get: old capacity=12500 Measuring drive 0's raw capacity Fatal error while measuring raw capacity 0: 40 1: 01 2: 00 3: 00 4: 00 5: 01 6: 08 Wouldn't be