SL-modem in Ubuntu

I’ve spent many hours trying to get my modem to work in Ubuntu 6.10, you can access it at 192.168.1.1 log in. The answer was way to simple:

Init3 = AT+MS=34

If you have not tried that yet put it in your wvdial.conf or ppp options whichever method you are using. I tried unsuccessfully to compile many different drivers and many different versions all of them had the no carrier error after dialing out. I have a Dell laptop Latitude 100L. The modem information on lspci is:

00:1f.6 Modem: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Modem Controller (rev 01)

It uses the open source kernel module snd_intel8x0m which is included in recent vanilla kernel sources. It could use the closed source slamr module but I have not tried it much since the open source module works.

Installing this Modem in Linux

First, if you havn’t already done so, install the sl-modem-daemon with the command:

sudo apt-get install sl-modem-daemon

this will install the user-level application needed to use the driver. You don’t need to install the sl-modem-source package because this is just the closed source driver provided by Smart Link Inc. You may find it useful but I did not need it.

The configuration for sl-modemd is located in /etc/sl-modem-daemon you may need to change it appropriately to match your country and set DONTSTART=0 if you want the driver module to be automatically loaded. The driver can be loaded with “sudo /etc/init.d/sl-modem-daemon start”. If all goes well you should see your modem device at /dev/ttySL0 if not check dmesg for errors.

I used wvdial to configure my dial-up connection but you can use whatever tool you would like. “sudo apt-get install wvdial” if you don’t already have it. First run sudo wvdialconf to setup the initial configuration file. Sudo nano /etc/wvdial.conf to add specific information about your Internet provider. Be sure to add the line:

Init3 = AT+MS=34

beneath the Init2 line or your connection will not work. This will fix the “No Carrier” error that plagued me for so long. Change the dial-up number, username and password. Save and Exit. sudo wvdial to dial the connection. You only have to run as root the first time after that you can just do wvdial.

#My wvdial.conf file

[Dialer defaults]
# Lines begining with # are comments.
# wvdial will look for this file at  /etc/wvdial.conf  or  /home/LoginName/.wvdial.rc

# Redhat/Fedora have an  Internet Connection Wizard in the popup menus 
# ICW will write a two part  /etc/wvdial.conf supporting multiple modem usage.

Modem = /dev/ttySL0   
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Init3 = AT+MS=34
#  Lack of dialtone acquisition can be due to low line voltage,
#    a common problem in Italy.
#  Try inserting a "dial without waiting": X3
#  Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 X3 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
#  In case of connection instabilities, specify a lower frequency:
#  Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 X3 &C1 &D2  +MS=34
ISDN = 0
Modem Type = Analog Modem
Phone =  9474701
# if going through a switch board, a perhaps necessary pause can produced with a comma:
# Phone = 1,Dialout_phone_number 
Username = dlstone%nnu
# if Internet Provider is MSN.net, use under Linux:   MSN/LoginName
Password = a;sldkfj1
# the following lines is NEEDED only by slmodemd
Carrier Check = no
# Kinternet appears to add it automatically.

## If CONNECT is achieved but browsing fails, try activating the following line
# Auto DNS = yes
##    To make a logfile wvdial.out
# wvdial 2>&1 | tee wvdial.out
# #  For some Internet providers, the following line is necessary 
 Stupid Mode = yes
##  for other wvdial  options, do "man wvdial" or see the documentation in
##    /usr/share/doc/wvdial/
## End wvdial.conf

My /etc/defaults/sl-modem-daemon file

DONTSTART=0

SLMODEMD_DEVICE=auto
SLMODEMD_COUNTRY=USA

OPTS=""
FORCESTART=0

Hopefully, you can enjoy the pleasures of dial-up Internet once again. If you have trouble don’t hesitate to contact me.