modems in Mint

I got Mint 7 running and I've figured out that I probably need to get gnome-ppp running somehow in order to use my modem (since I dont know much about using command line, yet..). But will I have to install Mint on my machine to do that? If not, how do I get gnome-ppp running? Can I tell it to run from a USB or something? I've got the gnome-ppp-0.3.23.tar.bz2 file downloaded onto USB, and I don't know what to do next.

I've registered at the Mint forum but it takes forever to get confirmed, so any help I can get here while I wait would be great.

 

I'm confused, you say you have Mint running, but then you ask if you need to install Mint?

Are you running off of a live CD or something?

All you should need to do from the console is..

Code:

sudo apt-get install gnome-ppp

Then it should show up in your programs / internet menu.

I'm not sure that's going to let you use your modem 100%, it does need to be detected under hardware, etc.. but that's all you should need to do to get the app installed.

 

I'm running it live CD now. I was asking if I have to install it in order to make gnome work, since my understanding is that I have to supply gnome separately.

I knew of that command but I figured that was telling it to download and install gnome, and without a wireless or dialup connection that would be hard. Maybe I was wrong in my understanding of the command. I guess I can go try it but since I read that gnome-ppp was not included in Mint 7 I don't think it will be able to get it.

 

I have very little experience using a live CD for an actual OS. Normally people just use them to verify compatibility, to make sure they like the distribution or in emergency recovery scenarios.

In order for you to get more help I really would suggest installing Mint as a local OS, and not running from the CD.

I see what you're saying about not having an internet connection, that makes things difficult. Do you have an Ethernet cable you can plug into your router? You can obviously install gnome-ppp locally (download them to USB, etc..), but it's much easier if you're connected to the internet.

 

I have no router. I just drove into the nearest small town and my wireless is not working either (but like I said the modem is more important for now). Its a 60 mile drive to an ethernet connection.

But I have the gnome file. Can I just tell the "get" command where to find it by specifiying a path, and how exactly do I specify it, or will it find it if I just put it on the HD? Right now the gnome-ppp is on USB stick, drive F.

I suppose I can install Mint but I will still have to know how to get Version 7 to utilize gnome-ppp.

 

The tar.bz2 is basically a compressed archive, like a zip file in windows. What files are inside of it? Double click it and it should open. If there's a .deb file, just extract the .deb file to a directory of your choosing. Then open up a console, go to that directory, and then do

Code:

sudo dpkg -i thefilename.deb

 

I think you would better off with Puppy Linux http://puppylinux.org/main/index.php?file=Overview%20and%20Getting%20Started.htm. The have dialup modem support from the Live CD. It is a small distro approx 105MB download.

 

I dont see a .deb file...so I'm stuck

Think I'd like to see if I can make this work before I install to HD, but I am running from USB now so its a lot quicker.

Did they have to name it puppy? And can it do everything I need my computer to do? (see Linux for Idiot thread).

I will stick with this while longer, getting my modem to work should be doable. I hope.

 

I got wireless! Woohoo! (too bad I dont have anywhere to use it near home)

I got gnome-ppp too, but its not detecting my modem. But we are making progress towards a reduced-windows world.

 

Fantastic Wayne! That's just how Linux is, you learn so much by overcoming these small obstacles one at a time. By the time you get it set up how you want it you'll be a pretty advanced user.

How'd you end up doing it?!

 

Well its not fantastic quite yet....still no modem though I'm working on it at the Mint forum too. This is the same issue I finally gave up on in Ubuntu...hopefully I will have more perseverence this time but I cant be sure.

How did it...
I found a local motel that let me plug into their system. Once I got ethernet plugged in the connection was instantly recognized by Mint. Then I ran get gnome-ppp, and it worked. Then I ran the hardware driver update and it installed a wireless driver that worked.

 

That's thinking outside of the box! Jas posted in your other 'idiot' thread, and had some suggestions. He linked to this article, which I think might be your best bet. Try the section as it relates to the Dell provided driver.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DialupModemHowto/Conexant