Linux-Hardware Digest #78, Volume #9 Fri, 1 Jan 99 01:13:25 EST
Contents:
Re: need to take action on the Winmodem problem (jedi)
Re: need to take action on the Winmodem problem (jedi)
USR 56K PnP problems in RH 5.2, slow port? ("Tom Shealy")
Re: How to use trakker printer port tape backup? (Kyle Dansie)
Ultra2 SCSI card for Linux? (BRUCE FAUST)
Re: @home cable modem problems suse 5.3 (Stuart R. Fuller)
Re: NETGEAR FA310TX on RH 5.2 (Danny Willis)
Re: Keyboard locks up when not in use ("David M. Reed")
G200 v Revolution IV? (Robert)
Re: Need for WinModem research? (was: Re: need to take action...) (Norman Elliott)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (jedi)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.advocacy
Subject: Re: need to take action on the Winmodem problem
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 16:08:34 -0800
On Thu, 31 Dec 1998 11:17:12 -0600, Jeffrey Bridge <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>gus wrote:
>
>> Norm Matloff wrote:
>> >
>> > I'm a longtime Linux user (back to the Soft Landing days), but only
>> > recently have been paying attention to its trends and so on. The
>> > reason for my new active participation is that I have been trying to
>> > make Linux more accessible to beginners, e.g. college freshmen. I've
>> > recently set up a Linux Beginners Web Page for this audience, at
>> > http://heather.cs.ucdavis.edu/~matloff/linux.html I've tried to
>> > make it as foolproof as possible, getting lots of feedback from
>> > students as they install Linux on various machines. This called my
>> > attention to the Winmodem problem, which I had not known about before.
>> >
>> > Based on this limited observation, it appears that (a) it has been only
>> > in the last couple of months that Winmodems have become common (is this
>> > true?) and (b) Winmodems now dominate the PC modem market.
>> >
>> > My focus in this e-mail message is on (b). IT WOULD APPEAR THAT
>> > WINMODEMS ARE A MAJOR THREAT TO THE VIABILITY OF LINUX. Given the
>> > sudden rise of Winmodems, it would appear to be a real possibility that
>> > non-Winmodems may become nearly extinct in the next few months. Though
>> > workarounds exist (e.g. external modems) this could have a devastating
>> > impact on the popularity of Linux, a real shame in view of the fact that
>> > Linux had been on its way to becoming much more mainstream.
>> >
>> > Again, in spite of being a longtime Linux user, I really have no idea
>> > about how the amorphous Linux movement works. But I hope that the
>> > "movers and shakers" of Linux, whoever they are, can work with the modem
>> > vendors to achieve some sort of solution.
>> >
>> > Norm Matloff
>>
>> My $0.02...
>>
>> Minmodems are not a threat, simply because in a few months time *all*
>> modems will be on the wrong side of their peak. xDSL, cheap ISDN, cable
>> modems, etc are all becomming more popular, and will be the modems of
>> choice for future "power" users, and in the not too distant future, of
>> "normal" users too.
>>
>> In one year I see the use of current modem technology as being on a par
>> with the current use of ISA video cards.
>>
>> Just my view on the communication future. I personally can not wait
>> until xDSL or an aquivalent becomes available in UK.
>>
>> cheers
>>
>> gus
>
>Cable modems are pretty fool-proof in terms of compatibility, *as long as the
>net card is supported.* However, I know that Rockwell at least is making an
>internal xDSL/V.90/Ethernet/HomeNet chipset, that very well could be
The catch with this is that it throws the cable provider into
the hardware support business. I would imagine that they want
to stay as far away from their customers' PCs as they can manage.
>windows-only.... and I don't know about ISDN, but I'm sure those two
>technologies could be made Win-only, just like modems have been! Be careful,
>don't assume the problem is going away just because one TYPE of
>communications device is going away!
It's a different kind of provider altogether, actually.
They and we have grown accustomed to them being responsible
for the essential decoding hardware unlike the typical ISP.
--
Herding Humans ~ Herding Cats
Neither will do a thing unless they really want to, or |||
is coerced to the point where it will scratch your eyes out / | \
as soon as your grip slips.
In search of sane PPP docs? Try http://penguin.lvcm.com
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (jedi)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.advocacy
Subject: Re: need to take action on the Winmodem problem
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 16:06:12 -0800
On Thu, 31 Dec 1998 13:31:30 GMT, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
>>
>> : 1. As someone who has been working with both Windows (mostly NT 4.0) and
>> : Linux for the last few years nothing amazes me more than the general Linux
>> : communities reaction to WinModems. The attitude seems to be "They have the
>> : word Win in there name therefore they are evil. . . ". It is the exact
>type
>> : of thinking they blast from the Microsoft camp for. The Windows people say
>> : "if it's not made for Windows it doesn't matter because only these freaks
>who
>> : use Linux want it". Now it seems the Linux people ae starting to say "if it
>> : is made for Windows users it doesn't matter because its made for those money
>> : hungry, monolopistic, M$ people". Very interesting how times have changed.
>>
>> You are dead wrong. While it's true that linux doesn't work with
>> winmodems, you are dead wrong as to the reasons why. The information
>> needed to write a winmodem driver is unavailable to linux programmers.
>
>
>I am dead wrong? I think you need think about what you are saying - because
>you are pretty much proving my point. If, and I agree with you, it would be
>almost impossible to write a seperate Linux WinModem driver for each brand of
>WinModems, then this becomes a business issue. Why? Because once you
What part of
The information
>> needed to write a winmodem driver is unavailable to linux programmers
don't you get?
[deletia]
--
Herding Humans ~ Herding Cats
Neither will do a thing unless they really want to, or |||
is coerced to the point where it will scratch your eyes out / | \
as soon as your grip slips.
In search of sane PPP docs? Try http://penguin.lvcm.com
------------------------------
From: "Tom Shealy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.networking
Subject: USR 56K PnP problems in RH 5.2, slow port?
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 22:53:45 -0800
I'm having trouble with my USR 56K PnP modem under RH 5.2 (it's not a
winmodem). When I start a connection (with any terminal...ezppp, minicom,
etc.) the modem dials and connects, but the connection is VERY slow. (It
takes several minutes for only 3 lines of text to appear!)
I have the modem in an isa slot. I have BIOS Version: 4S4EB2X0.86A.0009.P03
(from a new intel se440bx-2 motherboard), and "PNP OS" is off. I installed
isapnp and created an isapnp.conf file from the info given by pnpdump. I
suspect the problem is PnP related, but I was wondering if anyone had any
advice? I did a complete RedHat 5.2 install. Do I need any special
packages? Do I have to configure any port speeds or settings? Has anyone
had any similar experiences with a usr PnP modem?
The only thing I can think to do is disable the PnP features of the modem
with the jumper and configure it normally. But, before i do that, here's
what isapnp says:
# isapnp /etc/isapnp.conf
Board 1 has Identity 58 f7 b5 9a a9 70 30 72 56: USR3070 Serial No
4155873961 [checksum 58]
(I also see that at boot time)
Here's my /etc/isapnp.conf...(I made it from pnpdump, and just deleted all
but the first "multiple choices" :
/etc/isapnp.conf
# $Id: pnpdump.c,v 1.15a 1998/05/25 17:22:16 fox Exp $
# This is free software, see the sources for details.
# This software has NO WARRANTY, use at your OWN RISK
#
# For details of this file format, see isapnp.conf(5)
#
# For latest information on isapnp and pnpdump see:
# http://www.roestock.demon.co.uk/isapnptools/
#
# Compiler flags: -DREALTIME -DNEEDSETSCHEDULER
#
# Trying port address 0203
# Board 1 has serial identifier 58 f7 b5 9a a9 70 30 72 56
# (DEBUG)
(READPORT 0x0203)
(ISOLATE PRESERVE)
(IDENTIFY *)
# Card 1: (serial identifier 58 f7 b5 9a a9 70 30 72 56)
# Vendor Id USR3070, Serial Number 4155873961, checksum 0x58.
# Version 1.0, Vendor version 0.0
# ANSI string -->U.S. Robotics 56K Voice INT<--
#
# Logical device id USR3070
#
# Edit the entries below to uncomment out the configuration required.
# Note that only the first value of any range is given, this may be changed
if required
# Don't forget to uncomment the activate (ACT Y) when happy
(CONFIGURE USR3070/4155873961 (LD 0
# Multiple choice time, choose one only !
# Start dependent functions: priority preferred
# Fixed IO base address 0x02f8
# Number of IO addresses required: 8
# (IO 0 (BASE 0x02f8))
# IRQ 3.
# High true, edge sensitive interrupt (by default)
# (INT 0 (IRQ 3 (MODE +E)))
# End dependent functions
(ACT Y)
))
# End tag... Checksum 0x00 (OK)
# Returns all cards to the "Wait for Key" state
(WAITFORKEY)
any advice would be great....thanks!
-tom
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 21:22:26 -0700
From: Kyle Dansie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: How to use trakker printer port tape backup?
guenter weissenseel wrote:
>
> Hi
> I use Caldera 1.3 Kernel version 2.0.35
>
> Is there a module for the trakker tape backup available?
> It is an external device, whichoperates through the printer port and uses
> standard QIC-80 tapes.
>
> Thanks for any help
>
> Guenter
Check out this web page.
http://www.torque.net/linux-pp.html
--
========================================================
Linux Rules
ZIP drive Mini-HOWTO
http://njtcom.com/dansie/zip-drive.html
or
http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/HOWTO/mini/ZIP-Drive.html
========================================================
------------------------------
From: BRUCE FAUST <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Ultra2 SCSI card for Linux?
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 1999 04:24:23 GMT
We manufacture SCSI cards for Linux. We make a combo SCSI Ethernet
card; and Ultra2 SCSI cards, as well as an Ultra SCSI card.
We had a customer who backed out of a large order and we have a large
inventory of boards. We're a one year old company and we designed them
ourselves and make them here in California.
We would like to offer them to Linux users at a greatly reduced price
for a limited time. . .until we run out!
Thanks for your support!
Sincerely,
Bruce Faust
President/CEO
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.digitalscape.com
DigitalScape Product Description Price
NetStorm-combo Ultra 20/40MB SCSI & Fast Enet (Symbios 53C885 chipset)
$160
DataStorm32- Ultra2 80MB LVD SCSI (Symbios 53C895 chipset)
$135
DataStorm875-Ultra 20/40MB SCSI (Symbios 53C875J chipset) $95
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Stuart R. Fuller)
Subject: Re: @home cable modem problems suse 5.3
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 1999 05:00:02 GMT
Dave&Dawn ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote:
: I'm having problems getting my cable modem working with suse 5.3 ...i got
: the ethernet card recognized at eth0 irq 10.....and i downloaded and
: installed dhcpcd 0.70-2.i386.rpm.........used dhcp -h (computer name) to
: start dhcp but when i type ifconfig i get
:
: lo link encap:local loopback inet addr: 127.0.01
: bcast:127.255.255.255 mask:255.0.0.0
: up broadcast loopback running
:
: mtu:3584 metric:1 rx packets:1 errors 0 dropped 0 overruns
: 0
:
: tx packets:1 0 0 0
:
:
:
: eth0 link endcap 10mbps ethernet hwaddr 52:54:00:df:d8:b2
: inet addr:0.0.0.0 bcast addr:255.255.255.255
: mask0.0.0.0
: up broadcast no trailers running mtu:1500 metric:1
: rx packets:31 errors:0 0 0 0
: tx packets:2 0 0 0
: 0
: inerrupt:10 base address:0x6800
:
:
:
: dummy 0 THIS IS SAME AS ABOVE...............................
:
:
:
:
: ALSO HOW DO I KNOW DHCP IS WORKING?????????????????????????
:
: on my sheet from cable co. gives me primary and secondary dns server
: address , subdomain address , ip address , dns name
^^^^^^^^^^
They gave you your IP address? If that's the case, then you don't need
dhcpcd!
: what goes where in my network config. example:which one is
: the name server???????????????????? host?????????????
The name server addresses and domain name goes into /etc/resolv.conf. Your
hostname and your IP address goes in /etc/hosts. The ifconfig command will
want your IP address or hostname (if the hostname is in /etc/hosts) and your
netmask (which the @home people gave you).
On Redhat, there is a tool that you can plug all this information into, and
it'll update the appropriate files. I don't know what S.U.S.E. uses.
Stu
------------------------------
Subject: Re: NETGEAR FA310TX on RH 5.2
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Danny Willis)
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 1999 05:04:40 GMT
Rod Roark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>Gerald B. Rosenberg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>I used the tulip.c file that was provided with the FA310TX card (the
>>chip does not have DEC markings) and compiled/installed the tulip.o per
>>the instructions provided with the card. Although I got no error
>>messages, I cannot independently verify that the new driver is being used
>>(at least I don't know how to; is there some way to do this?).
>Yes, look in the tulip.c that you compiled to see what the version number
>is. Then do a "dmesg | less" to see what version number is reported at
>boot time.
I have a vague memory that people were grumbling about Netgear: when they
produced their own Linux driver and distributed it with their boards
(good!) they left the version number unchanged (ee-yew!). I hope I'm
mistaken on this.
--
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www2.shore.net/~dannyw
------------------------------
From: "David M. Reed" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Keyboard locks up when not in use
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 21:36:40 -0700
No luck - all power saving features are disabled.
jc wrote:
> On Sun, 27 Dec 1998 22:16:23 -0700, "David M. Reed" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> >Whenever my Linux server goes for a day or so without any keyboard activity,
> >the keyboard locks up and I have to reboot to get it back. I can still
> >telnet into the box, connect via Samba, dial out, etc.
> turn off power saving in CMOS/BIOS setup.
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Robert)
Subject: G200 v Revolution IV?
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 1999 05:37:15 GMT
Looking for video card for new system. How do the Matrox Millennium
G200 and #9 Revolution IV compare for 2d business applications? Any
problems running either under Linux?
Thanks,
Robert
------------------------------
From: Norman Elliott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Need for WinModem research? (was: Re: need to take action...)
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 1999 07:06:34 +0000
Frank McKenney wrote:
> G�nther,
>
> Thank you for your reply. Yes, there does seem to be a lot of interest
> in having some kind of support for "WinModems" under Linux. Also some
> for OS/2, and probably elsewhere.
>
> In <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, =?iso-8859-1?Q?G=FCnther?= Wieser
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> >Thats what I want to hear in this NG: Something real usefull.
> >If anyone can tell me, how I can listen to my PCI bus under WinXX, I
> >would appreciate that.
> >As I�m using a laptop I�m not willing to cahnge my modem, which is built
> >in, and I can not believe that theres something that WinXX can do but
> >not Linux! Can that be real?
> >And, as you wrote, I don�t believe that this piece of software will be
> >too hard to write.
>
> Minor clarification: I don't think I said it wouldn't be too hard to
> do, or at least I didn't intend to say or imply that. What I _was_
> trying to say was that it was _possible_ that coding Linux "WinModem"
> support will turn out to be much simpler than many people think it is.
>
> As far as I can tell, the current assumptions of difficulty are based on
>
> 1) Lack of manufacturer information,
> 2) Lack of driver source code, and
> 3) An assumption that there is a large variance in how "WinModems"
> interface with the host and how the "usual" modem responsibilities
> are divided between the hardware and the driver,
>
> All I was trying to say is that, based on what I've seen posted here and
> elsewhere, (3) is an assumption rather than a fact or an opinion based
> on specific knowledge of the problems involved.
>
> And, implicitly, I was asking anyone who _did_ have any specific
> technical knowledge in this area to contribute his/her/its knowledge to
> the conversation. Based on the postings I've seen, the Linux community
> includes a _large_ number of highly gifted people - IM(NS)HO the only
> reason someone hasn't developed a simple, klugy, "alpha" "WinModem"
> driver already is the lack of information and the _perception_ that it's
> so difficult as to not be worth doing.
>
> But that perception is based on an assumption.
>
> I have this feeling I should have cross-posted to a 'modem hardware'
> newsgroup (;-).
>
> Frank
>
> >
> >Frank McKenney wrote:
> >>
> >> Apropos the ongoing discussion of WinModems, I thought I'd ask if anyone
> >> has attempted to determine exactly _what_ a CPU-WinModem interaction
> >> looks like?
> >>
> >> I realize that this _could_ be intricate and timing-dependent. However,
> >> since many hardware designers are subject to the same time-to-market
> >> pressures as many software writers, I'd expect to see a lot of
> >> similarity in the various WinModem interfaces. The WinModem/driver
> >> _combination_ has to be able to respond much like a "standard" external
> >> modem for compatibiltiy purposes. And there's at least a reasonable
> >> chance that, at least with these earlier releases, WinModem designers
> >> have "cribbed" a lot from "standard" designs.
> >>
> >> In other words, it's at least _possible_ (ah, the power of ignorance
> >> (;-)) that all that the MSWinXX driver does is accept standard "AT"
> >> strings from an application, parse them, and send phone digits to one
> >> I/O address and modem setups (volume, command set, etc.) to others.
> >>
> >> Has anyone attempted to track either ISA or PCI bus activity while a
> >> WinModem is being used? This feels like a situation where some Real
> >> Data might at least tell us whether or not writing a WinModem driver was
> >> feasible (see also "Gordian Knot" (;-)).
> >>
> >> Frank McKenney, McKenney Associates / OS2BBS OS/2 Advisor
> >> Richmond, Virginia (804) 320-4887
> >> Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED] / TalkLink: WZ01123
> >
> >--
> >G�nther Wieser
> >creative-it/G�nther Wieser Software KEG
> >http://www.creative-it.com
> >Student of Telematik at Graz University of Technology
> >----------------------------------------------------------------
> >In A World Without Walls And Fences, Who Needs Windows And Gates?
> >-----------------------------------------------------------------
> >Written on Linux 2.0.34
OK,
Now I am new to Linux and have done only a verrrry small amount of C programming.
Also I have never seen a Win Modem.
Here's my tiny contribution to start things off.
1/ What we have It seems to me that these Win Modems must have some chips on
them which can be
recognised.
So Someone must be able to say - roughly - what they do.
therefore This should give some idea as to the level at which any
code should address the
card.
2/ Windows The code is written for x86 processor. It does standard calls
to PC hardware (
maybe - i am guessing here )
So dissassembly should point in the right direction
Therefore The brainy Linux guys can do it.
Sorry if this is really silly but what do you all think?
norm
------------------------------
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