dive in to debian - first dive

[pinnate-banjo]

I just got my first copy of Debian and looked all over for some tips, but I guess my problems must be very newbie.

My first problem was that I had to defer setting up a network.

Yeah, I know that networks can be local and even confined to one computer only, but I just don't know how to set one up.

Next, I have dialup issues. Dialup was not even recognized during setup, so I got this impression that Debian was saying dialup doesn't exist in Linux. I know that's not true.

I searched my DVD and tried to install each dialup program to no success. In fact, looks like I need to set up my network first. I was looking for PPP. At least a couple programs refused even to run or make my supra-menu (GNOME/KDE).

I'm getting a couple Debian books to help me but in the meantime I thought I should check in, in case anyone else has been having these problems.

[Dapper Dan]

From the command line do:

kppp

If it returns nothing, then install it from the DVD. Kppp is fairly intuitive. Another good one, but it's command line is wvdial. Kppp should get you going IF your modem is Linux compatible, and many aren't. Is it an internal modem? If so, can you post here the output of:

lspci

?
Then we can see if it is or isn't.

[pinnate-banjo]

Okay, this wasn't entirely unsuccessful

lspci turns up Conexant HCF 56k Data/Fax Modem (Rev 06). More than that came out to--an entire page or two.

I typed kppp into root terminal shell. kppp came up after producing lots of error messages as if nothing bad had ever happened but refused to recognize any modem. Now I've gone to put my other two modems in along with this one and try that. . .

[Dapper Dan]

Might could save you some time if you let us know what the modems are you are going to try. For a list of modems that do and do not work, see Linmodems. If you have to purchase a modem, an external serial modem is best. The Actiontec V92, is a very good modem that works out of the box in Linux.