[SOLVED] 3G datacard (internet) problem

[pmurdia]

hi,

I went to a vendor using datacards (for internet usage) in windows only. The 3G mobile sim data card when I connected in PCLOS, my PC didn't recognize the same. Can one let me know how to use the internet through 3G mobile sim which I insert in the data card and connect to the PC! Because when I insert the same data card in the Windows, it prompts me to install the software which has not happened in PCLOS!!  

[nixer]

I would do a search on google to see if the card has a linux driver file for it.  The manufacturer may have done this or it may have been done by another means.  At any rate, search online, and also search synaptic for a compatible driver by entering the manufacturer name of the product.

This would be a start.  Good luck.

[muungwana]

can you give detail info on this card that will uniquely identify it? The more info we have of it, the easier it will be to try to help you out.

Can you do the following?

1. Open the terminal and log in as root
2. Run this command: service syslog restart
3. unplug the card and then wait for 5 seconds
4. plug in the card and then wait for 5 seconds
5. run this command and show its output here: tail -n 30 /var/log/syslog

what does this command also give you? uname -a

[Joble]

I've got a 3G usb modem.  kppp runs it just fine.  Took a while to research the settings I needed to put in there though, depends on the carrier.

[pmurdia]

Not able to understand but the details are as follows:

[root@localhost ~]# service syslog restart
Shutting down kernel logger:                                                           [  OK  ]
Shutting down system logger:                                                           [  OK  ]
Starting system logger:                                                                [  OK  ]
Starting kernel logger:                                                                [  OK  ]

[root@localhost ~]# tail -n 30 /var/log/syslog
Jun  9 23:14:50 localhost klogd: scsi 6:0:0:0: Direct-Access     USBModem Disk             2.31 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Jun  9 23:14:50 localhost klogd: sd 6:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg2 type 0
Jun  9 23:14:50 localhost klogd: sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
Jun  9 23:15:26 localhost klogd: Kernel logging (proc) stopped.
Jun  9 23:15:26 localhost klogd: Kernel log daemon terminating.
Jun  9 23:15:27 localhost exiting on signal 15
Jun  9 23:15:27 localhost syslogd 1.5.0: restart.
Jun  9 23:15:27 localhost klogd: klogd 1.5.0, log source = /proc/kmsg started.
Jun  9 23:15:31 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: USB disconnect, address 5
Jun  9 23:15:57 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 6
Jun  9 23:15:57 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: New USB device found, idVendor=1c9e, idProduct=f000
Jun  9 23:15:57 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=4
Jun  9 23:15:57 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: Product: USB Modem
Jun  9 23:15:57 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: Manufacturer: USB Modem
Jun  9 23:15:57 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: SerialNumber: 1234567890ABCDEF
Jun  9 23:15:57 localhost klogd: scsi7 : usb-storage 1-8:1.0
Jun  9 23:15:58 localhost usb_modeswitch: switching 1c9e:f000 (USB Modem: USB Modem)
Jun  9 23:16:00 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: USB disconnect, address 6
Jun  9 23:16:00 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 7
Jun  9 23:16:00 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: New USB device found, idVendor=1c9e, idProduct=9605
Jun  9 23:16:00 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=4
Jun  9 23:16:00 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: Product: USB Modem
Jun  9 23:16:00 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: Manufacturer: USB Modem
Jun  9 23:16:00 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: SerialNumber: 1234567890ABCDEF
Jun  9 23:16:01 localhost klogd: scsi8 : usb-storage 1-8:1.4
Jun  9 23:16:01 localhost usb_modeswitch: switched to 1c9e:9605 (USB Modem: USB Modem)
Jun  9 23:16:01 localhost logger: usb_modeswitch: adding device ID 1c9e/9605/0: to driver "option"
Jun  9 23:16:06 localhost klogd: scsi 8:0:0:0: Direct-Access     USBModem Disk             2.31 PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Jun  9 23:16:06 localhost klogd: sd 8:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg2 type 0
Jun  9 23:16:06 localhost klogd: sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk

[root@localhost ~]# uname -a
Linux localhost.localdomain 2.6.33.7-pclos6.bfs #1 SMP PREEMPT Thu Oct 21 22:42:28 CDT 2010 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

[root@localhost ~]#

[luikki]

knowing details of your provider would help to help...

go to synaptic and check if usb mode switch is installed. if not, install it.
then in pcc, hardware, browse and configure hardware, check if your modem is listed.
if it is, try to make a connection in network center...

[muungwana]

Those system log entries say the card is recognized by the system

Does the card has lights on it? if yes, what lights do you expect to see when it is recognized and is functional?

Jun  9 23:15:57 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: New USB device found, idVendor=1c9e, idProduct=f000

Jun  9 23:16:00 localhost klogd: usb 1-8: New USB device found, idVendor=1c9e, idProduct=9605

A simple google search says the card will work if it is recognized as the second quote above. It did on your system and hence it should be usable.

I hope somebody who has connected to the internet with this type of card will come along and give you instructions on how to do that.

[pmurdia]

In fact, that data card was of the company 'Micromax' (no installer CD came with that). That was of mine friend, but I just tested that on my PC having PCLOS. Further, this test is essential before buying the same and using net. Right now I am mailing this managing from some other PC having a net connection. I have loved PCLOS and thus want to use net only here. As Synaptic is there, I guess if I get any (or from anywhere) the instructions telling to use 'rpm' commands, I should not use the same....?

Yes, when I connected the modem, the yellow light was blinking. I am in tries. I would search when I would get time. If is it is recognized (as muungwana says) it is amazing that it doesn't appear as an icon or nothing is displayed when I type:

ls /media [after entering]

Further, my replies could/would be random as right now I am outstation too, please forgive me for that.

I can install from Synaptic (usb mode switch) if it is not there, but that is possible only if net connection from somewhere is there. I see this.

Further I would have to update the PCLOS KDE which I last update around 55 days back and I assume that t would be a smooth task without issue.

[luikki]

use lsusb and you will see your modem listed...
did you open synaptic to see if usb mode swithch is installed? if it isn't you'll have to get a internet connection in order to install it.
only then you'll be able to use your modem.

please check your email.

[muungwana]

Jun  9 23:16:01 localhost usb_modeswitch: switched to 1c9e:9605 (USB Modem: USB Modem)

The above line suggests you already have "usb modeswith" and it switched the card to a setting suitable for internet access.

One of the posts above says to use kppp to try to connect, have you tried to use it?

Yes, when I connected the modem, the yellow light was blinking. I am in tries. I would search when I would get time. If is it is recognized (as muungwana says) it is amazing that it doesn't appear as an icon or nothing is displayed when I type:
ls /media [after entering]

A folder in /media would have showed up if the card had a file system and the file system was mounted there. This card is not a mass storage device and it isnt mounted and hence you should not expect a folder there.

What instructions told you to use "rpm" command?

[kjpetrie]

Open PCC -> Network & Internet -> set up a new network interface and see if you can select it in there.

[pmurdia]

When I ran the command:

[root@localhost ~]# lsusb

(before connecting the datacard)

Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

But after connecting the datacard, I used the same command, I got the output as follows:

[root@localhost ~]# lsusb

Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 1c9e:f000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

Consider the second line, I hope it is for usb modem which is blinking too but make me connect to the net.

Further I have the following packages installed:

kdenetwork4-kppp-provider (List of providers for pppd)
kdenetwork4-kppp (kdenetwork4 kppp)

I think these are the packages for kppp

But no where that modem is coming in PCC -> Hardware -> Browse and Configure Hardware

If it is not detected, I have changed the IP address settings to Automatic rather than Manual configuration but still I am not able to get the result.

[truckerjay]

I use such a data card when I install pclinuxos all I do is open network and do what it says my isp is listed it's at&t so it's easy just have to make sure the APN is correct as they have two listed in different ways to connect.  Your mode is switched and ready so it should be a matter of setting it up correctly in network manager.  You may have to call your ISP for the correct information how to do it.

BTW pclinuxos is the only linux distro I have found that my card works on out of the box.  Haven't been able to with any other distro.

[pmurdia]

That is correct and I also have seen the only Linux distro which is so much user friendly and it is only and only PCLOS and that's why I would try to use internet here only.

I see and try.

[pmurdia]

hi,

i finally bought the data card and it is of Alcatel. I had to install windows too. So right now my PC is dual booted with Windos XP as well as PCLOS. But a strange thing happened. When the data card was connected and restarted the PC, and logged in PCLOS with the created user, I got the symbol of the data card (Alcatel, HSPA) in My Network Centre but not in the usb notifier link at the bottom right part. However, at first time it was coming (that symbol in the Network Centre) but when I rebooted, even that symbol got disappeared.

But when the same I connected in Windows, it was installing automatically. Please do let me know how to run internet in PCLOS. As once the data card was being seen in Network Centre, I am pretty sure, it could be used, but how? I tried several times and now it is not running!! I am using 2G sim, which is supported by this 3G data card of Alcatel (HSPA)

Further once, I got a file '.hal-mtab' in /media when I run as a root the following command:

ls -a

in the folder /media.

Regards,
Parshwa Murdia