[ILUG] A hardware modem, a hardware modem, my kingdom for a hardware modem.

[John Gay]

But seriously, I'm installing Linux onto a PC for a friend who's tired of 
getting all the latest virii that Windows breeds.

The down-side is the PC has an HCF modem. A bit of research tells me that 
there are Linux drivers for it, but the free version only runs 14.4k. the 56K 
version is at a price?

After many attempts with the MandrakeMove CD from the last expo, I found that 
there were kernel modules and config scripts for HCF and HSF modems. And I 
even managed to get the modem to talk, after trying an Intel 536 modem and a 
Zoom USB modem, both with no luck. But at least I know that I 'can' make the 
modem work.

Originally, I was hoping to use the new Progeny system for install, but being 
Debian-based, the chances of getting the HCF modem working are slim.

I do have Mandrake10.1 from the latest version of Linux Format on DVD. I'd 
just need to create CD's from it, or put my DVD drive into the PC for 
install. Does anyone know if this particular version of Mandrake includes the 
HCF drivers that I found on the MandrakeMove CD?

My other option is to beg, borrow or 'liberate' a REAL hardware modem from 
some kind soul here to avoid such hassle. Maplins only carries the Intel 
ones, which I can't get to work, and I'm not willing to pay over 50 for an 
external serial modem. This would be the prefered option, since I know that 
'proper' hardware modems just work.

Thanks for lending me your eyes and any feedback, or modem ofers greatly 
appreciated.

Cheers,

	John Gay