Baslinux mailing list

[baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org]

On Sat, 29 May 2010, baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org wrote:

> This laptop comes with:
>
> Two pcmcia slots

> Onboard AMR modem (works in XP)
>
> It appears to work with pcmcia ethernet cards.

> It does not work with four different pcmcia modems, in BL (serial_cs:
> registerserial() at 0x03f8, irq3 failed), Puppy (detects a modem at ttyS0,
> then if you probe that it is 'not detected' nor are other ttyS*) or XP
> ('not functional' - same for every modem).
>
> I tried with IR enabled and disabled, with known good modems (that work in
> other laptops as ttyS2 = com3).  I don't think there is a way to disable
> the onboard AMR modem.
>
> I am guessing that the maker never bothered testing with a modem since
> they included a modem-facsimile (AMR) that does work (in Windows), and
> that the AMR modem and/or IR port are confusing the pcmcia controller
> somehow.  It finds ttyS0 in Puppy, 0x3f8 in BL, and a non-functioning
> modem in XP (non-functioning ONLY in this laptop).

Desktop with AMR modem in half-length slot has the same problem. 
Detected the first lucent modem, dialed, but won't ping.  Won't detect 
next four lucent modems in two different PCI slots. PCI ethernet card 
works fine.

Avoid computers with AMR modems if you want to use an internal modem in 
linux, any linux.  The Toshiba laptop has an internal one (along with 
internal pcmcia card), and no serial port.  The desktop has two serial 
ports which I did not test.  I will give it to someone with broadband.
External modems cannot handle our line noise and keep hanging up.