Your linux distro doesn't matter in connecting to your ISP itself (btw: connecting to SOME sort of ISP is a necessity for email, web browsing, etc); however, many ISP's configuration tools are set up exclusively for Windows boxes. All that means is that you'll probably have to figure out settings in Windows and try them in Linux.
Getting your internet connection works depends upon the type of connection you have. If you have dialup, it's going to be problamatic because Dell generally uses WinModems in their laptops; I don't know about their desktops. Once you find your modem driver, then I'd recommend KPPP to connect. You have to get the account set up, but, after that, it's a breeze.
If you have wired broadband, then it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Dell's Inspirons come with a Broadcom 4401 NIC, which has 2 linux drivers available. If your router supports DHCP clients, enable DHCP on your computer, and you should be good to go (although you might have to do a "ifconfig eth0 up" to get it to work).
If you've got WiFi, you'll have troubles with the driver.
ndiswrapper seems to work OK to get your Windows drivers working under linux.
313-279 56K PCI Data Fax Modem. Is this a winmodem?
I'm currently in process of purchasing a KDE system (I know very windows like but I am taking baby steps and the downloads look like a daunting task) so I assume that KPPP will come with it. The web browser is mozollia. I was thinking about using netscape, netzero,juno or isp.com.
Are there any preference out there?
Is it worth the extra bucks to get dsl (??) (surf the net 5x faster add)
and 420-3224 Broadband Icon for Inspiron. The only broadband provider is comcast and that is a little more than what I want to pay right now and of course not supported.
I appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks
As far broadband connections go, you'll almost definately want to buy a router, which will also protect you from various forms of attacks (worms, DOS, port scans, etc.). Of course the degree of protection depends on your router, but perhaps the nicest feature of the router will be that it *should* support DHCP, so all you'll have to do is plug your Linux box into the router, configure the router via a web interface (which you can access with any browser), and then you'll be good to go!
Coming from a fellow Linux newbie, I think the ease of use that a router provides is reason enough to get broadband (not to mention the 'always on' convenience and significant speed increase). If you're stuck on dial-up though, KPPP is definately the way to go (I used to use that on my old 233MHz Mandrake system before I got broadband).
The part number you gave looks wrong. Did you mean 313-2279? If so, this modem is probably using the Intel 537EP chip.
To tell for sure, type the following command:
lspci -n | grep 8086:1080
If it prints something, you have a 537EP. If it does nothing, you have something else.
There is no open source driver for the 537EP, so you probably won't find a driver included with any Linux distribution. But you can download a free proprietary driver from Intel.
joelt49
3 Posts
0
June 15th, 2004 07:00
Getting your internet connection works depends upon the type of connection you have. If you have dialup, it's going to be problamatic because Dell generally uses WinModems in their laptops; I don't know about their desktops. Once you find your modem driver, then I'd recommend KPPP to connect. You have to get the account set up, but, after that, it's a breeze.
If you have wired broadband, then it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Dell's Inspirons come with a Broadcom 4401 NIC, which has 2 linux drivers available. If your router supports DHCP clients, enable DHCP on your computer, and you should be good to go (although you might have to do a "ifconfig eth0 up" to get it to work).
If you've got WiFi, you'll have troubles with the driver. ndiswrapper seems to work OK to get your Windows drivers working under linux.
Basset9078
17 Posts
0
June 16th, 2004 01:00
Thank you Joelt49 for the information.
I have the following modem:
313-279 56K PCI Data Fax Modem. Is this a winmodem?
I'm currently in process of purchasing a KDE system (I know very windows like but I am taking baby steps and the downloads look like a daunting task) so I assume that KPPP will come with it. The web browser is mozollia. I was thinking about using netscape, netzero,juno or isp.com.
Are there any preference out there?
Is it worth the extra bucks to get dsl (??) (surf the net 5x faster add)
and 420-3224 Broadband Icon for Inspiron. The only broadband provider is comcast and that is a little more than what I want to pay right now and of course not supported.
I appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks
dfeizet
6 Posts
0
June 16th, 2004 16:00
As far broadband connections go, you'll almost definately want to buy a router, which will also protect you from various forms of attacks (worms, DOS, port scans, etc.). Of course the degree of protection depends on your router, but perhaps the nicest feature of the router will be that it *should* support DHCP, so all you'll have to do is plug your Linux box into the router, configure the router via a web interface (which you can access with any browser), and then you'll be good to go!
Coming from a fellow Linux newbie, I think the ease of use that a router provides is reason enough to get broadband (not to mention the 'always on' convenience and significant speed increase). If you're stuck on dial-up though, KPPP is definately the way to go (I used to use that on my old 233MHz Mandrake system before I got broadband).
dfeizet
6 Posts
0
June 16th, 2004 16:00
Sorry, that last message was posted twice for some reason.
Message Edited by dfeizet on 06-20-2004 10:43 AM
Jim Beam
6 Posts
0
June 20th, 2004 14:00
To tell for sure, type the following command:
lspci -n | grep 8086:1080
If it prints something, you have a 537EP. If it does nothing, you have something else.
There is no open source driver for the 537EP, so you probably won't find a driver included with any Linux distribution. But you can download a free proprietary driver from Intel.
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Product_Filter.asp?ProductID=1230
When you load the module, you will get a warning that your kernel is now "tainted" by non-open-source code. You can ignore it.