Zach Babayco wrote:
>
> I'm thinking of installing Linux pretty soon,
Good for you, fight the dark side luke , I mean Zach :)
>but I've heard that it won't
> work with a Winmodem. So, my questions are:
>
> 1. Why exactly won't it work;
The winmodem, you won't be able to use it to dial in or dial out. It
will appear to your system as a chunck of circuit board that has NO
(usefull or otherwise) function what so ever.
>
> 2. How do I tell if I have a Winmodem; and
Look on the box. If the modem will work in 'staight' dos mode, or if it
is external modem, linux can use it. The problems comes when
manufactuers take some core compents off the modem and emulate these
compents funcations though software only avaible for certain platforms
(most commonly Microsoft popular consumer OS's from the windows
series). To test if it is a winmodem you could boot into a CLEAN dos
session via a boot disk with NO drivers or commands run from config.sys
or autoexec.bat. Then use a program that accesses your modem directly,
like procomm, kermit or some dos fax software. If these programs work
in staight dos without any other drivers or program your in luck, it
will work with linux. (you should be able to find most of these programs
(free or trial versions) though www.download.com/www.tucows.com/or any
search engine). For more information on this subject check out the
linux-newbie FAQ at http://www.linux-learn.org/faq
>
> 3. Is there any way to jury-rig it so I *can* use a Winmodem?
Not to my knowledge. As of 2-3 months ago there wasn't support and
there wasn't any plans to support these modems, and I doubt there will
ever be support for these modems. You could sell it, and with the money
buy an real modem, that is the only way I know of.
>
> Zach Babayco
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> "Applying computer technology is simply finding
> the right wrench to pound in the correct screw."
