Linuxant Linux drivers for Conexant chipsets - HCF driver FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)      
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HCF driver FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Questions

  1. I have an HSF modem. Can I use these drivers?
  2. My modem's PCI ID is 127a:1025 or 127a:2005 and it doesn't work.
  3. My dialer or Internet connection wizard does not find the modem, even though no errors were reported during installation and /dev/ttySHCF0 exists.
  4. I installed the driver, and now the /dev/ttySHCF0 or /dev/modem device is supposed to be there but it doesn't exist.
  5. The modem returns "NO DIALTONE" when I try to dial.
  6. The modem works, but I can't hear anything when dialing.
  7. What is a good initialization string to use with my modem?
  8. The modem returns CONNECT messages with bogus connection speeds, like "CONNECT 9600" or "CONNECT 115200".
  9. Is the message about the kernel being tainted upon loading the modules normal?
  10. Changing serial port parameters with "setserial" on ttySHCF0 or /dev/modem doesn't work.
  11. I have an ACPI-based machine and the driver is crashing or not loading.
  12. My modem doesn't work, or dials irregularly and sometimes it doesn't transmit all the tones from the phone number.
  13. My modem suddenly disconnects. What can potentially cause this?
  14. rpm -i gives me this error: "Failed dependencies: pciutils is needed by ..."
  15. hcf{pci|usb}config gives me this error: "lspci: command not found"
  16. How can I tell if my driver is working or not?
  17. What should I do if my driver is not working?
  18. Modules crash upon loading or refuse to load due to a wrong compiler version.
  19. Where does hcf{pci|usb}config look for the kernel sources?
  20. I'm having problems uninstalling the RPM package.
  21. What does "warning: ...rpm: V3 DSA signature: NOKEY, key ID 5dfbf7dc" mean?
  22. Is V.92 supported?
  23. Is FAX supported?
  24. Is VOICE supported?
  25. I have a USB HCF modem. Why don't you provide an x86 version of the hcfusbmodem package?
  26. Do you support other operating systems (eg. BeOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, etc.)?
  27. Do you plan on releasing a Linux driver for Conexant ADSL chipsets?

Answers

  1. I have an HSF modem. Can I use these drivers?

    No, these drivers are only for the Conexant HCF (controllerless) family, not for the HSF (softmodem) chips.

    HSF drivers are available from http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/hsf/

  2.  

  3. My modem's PCI ID is 127a:1025 or 127a:2005 and it doesn't work.

    You probably should try both the HCF and HSF drivers, until one works. Some early modems are incorrectly identified (HCF as HSF and vice-versa) in some versions of the PCI ID lists used by lspci and the linux kernel. Also, a few modem vendors have tried to save costs by omitting the EEPROM where device IDs are stored, causing the same default ID built into the bus interface chip to be used for both HCF and HSF devices.

  4.  

  5. My dialer or Internet connection wizard does not find the modem, even though no errors were reported during installation and /dev/ttySHCF0 exists.

    You might want to try entering "/dev/modem" manually for the modem device. Also, verify that "/dev/modem" is a symbolic link pointing to ttySHCF0. If it is not the case, you can try re-creating it with the command:

    rm -f /dev/modem; ln -s ttySHCF0 /dev/modem

  6.  

  7. I installed the driver, and now the /dev/ttySHCF0 or /dev/modem device is supposed to be there but it doesn't exist.

    On devfs-based systems (such as Mandriva), the missing device node is often a sign that the driver modules didn't load or initialize properly. Try "modprobe /dev/ttySHCF" (or /dev/ttySHCFUSB), then check the /var/log/messages file or run "dmesg" to see any kernel error messages that could provide a clue as to why loading of the driver failed.

  8.  

  9. The modem returns "NO DIALTONE" when I try to dial.

    Please verify your line cord and country settings (with hcf{pci|usb}config --country).
    If they are correct and the "NO DIALTONE" problems persist, you may try disabling dialtone detection with the "ATX3" command.

    If this still doesn't work, there might be a more serious problem with the machine, driver or its configuration. The cause might be ACPI or APIC related (see FAQ items about these topics; try booting with "acpi=off" and/or "noapic" kernel options) or incorrect RELAYS or FLAGS definitions in the INF file for your modem. You might want to try importing the original values for these parameters from your modem's original Windows driver. If this solves the problem or it persists, please tell us about it.

  10.  

  11. The modem works, but I can't hear anything when dialing.

    Please verify the Ln and Mn settings with the AT&V command. They should be L1 and M1.
    If not, change them with the command: ATL1M1

    If you still cannot hear any call progress sounds, and use a modem model that does not have its own speaker (such as on a notebook), verify your audio mixer settings (using aumix or equivalent utility) to ensure that the volume levels are high enough and that the "PCM" and "PhoneIn" channels are not muted.

    With the HSF driver it is also possible to play call progress sounds through the sound card. This requires that the system's audio driver be properly configured. If other audio applications work but you still cannot hear call progress sounds, examine the /usr/sbin/hsfdcpd script.

  12.  

  13. What is a good initialization string to use with my modem?

    The following initialization string, which resets the modem to factory settings, should cover most situations:

    AT &F

  14.  

  15. The modem returns CONNECT messages with bogus connection speeds, like "CONNECT 9600" or "CONNECT 115200".

    Use "ATW1" to enable reporting of line speed, error correction protocol and DTE speed. See the command set reference manual (100498D_RM_HxF_Released.pdf) for details.

  16.  

  17. Is the message about the kernel being tainted upon loading the modules normal?

    Yes, and it can be safely ignored.

  18.  

  19. Changing serial port parameters with "setserial" on ttySHCF0 or /dev/modem doesn't work.

    Since this modem driver provides a virtual serial interface, which is not directly connected to a physical UART like a normal serial port, it is not possible and would not make sense to configure it with "setserial". Therefore you shouldn't use this command on the ports associated with this driver.

  20.  

  21. I have an ACPI-based machine and the driver is crashing or not loading.

    It might be necessary to recompile a generic kernel from ftp.kernel.org with the latest ACPI (and perhaps also KACPID kernel lost interrupt) patches from http://sf.net/projects/acpi/

    Alternatively you could try the 2.6 development kernel, which has better ACPI support. However we cannot guarantee that the drivers will work with development kernels since they are constantly evolving.

  22.  

  23. My modem doesn't work, or dials irregularly and sometimes it doesn't transmit all the tones from the phone number.

    This problem might be ACPI-related or caused by a timing issue related to the APIC timer module in some Linux kernels (usually SMP kernels). You can verify if your kernel is using APIC by looking for the line "ENABLING IO-APIC IRQs" when you run the "dmesg" command.

    If you experience this problem, try disabling ACPI and/or the APIC by booting your kernel with the option "acpi=off" and/or the option "noapic".

  24.  

  25. My modem suddenly disconnects. What can potentially cause this?

    An idle timer, bad connection, noise on the line, call waiting, driver bug, incorrect NVM parameters, overloaded system can all be potential causes for sudden disconnections.

    If you use the modem for an IP connection, try running a "ping" in the background to keep the connection active.

    If the problem persists, please send us detailed information, including the output of "cat /proc/driver/h*/0/lastcallstatus" captured just after the connection was lost.

  26.  

  27. rpm -i gives me this error: "Failed dependencies: pciutils is needed by ..."

    You need to install the pciutils package before installing the driver. This package contains "lspci" which is used by hcf{pci|usb}config to detect your card.

    pciutils should be installed from your Linux distribution CD. If your distribution supports RPM, then the install command should be similar to this: rpm -i /path/to/rpms/pciutils-....rpm

  28.  

  29. hcf{pci|usb}config gives me this error: "lspci: command not found"

    hcf{pci|usb}config requires lspci to detect your card. lspci comes with pciutils. We recommend that you install pciutils, but you can also configure the device manually. hcf{pci|usb}config will always fail if you try to use the "-a" option without pciutils installed.

    pciutils should be installed from your Linux distribution CD. If your distribution supports RPM, then the install command should be similar to this: rpm -i /path/to/rpms/pciutils-....rpm

  30.  

  31. How can I tell if my driver is working or not?

    The easiest way to test your modem driver installation is to use a terminal software like minicom. You should set the port to /dev/modem or /dev/ttySHCF0. Once you have established a connection with the modem, you can try to reset it by using the "ATZ" command. The modem should answer "OK" to this command. Please refer to the AT Command Set Reference Manual for the complete list of available commands. You will find a link for the manual on our web site, at the bottom of the driver's description section.

    If you can communicate with the modem, then you should try to dial a known valid number (eg. your ISP's number) with the command ATDT followed by the phone number.

    This procedure allows you to verify the driver's basic functionality without involving a complex software like a PPP dialer.

  32.  

  33. What should I do if my driver is not working?

    First, you should verify if the modules are loaded by the kernel with the command "lsmod". You should see hcfpciengine, hcfpciserial, hcfpciosspec and hcfpcihw (or hcfusbengine, hcfusbserial, hcfusbosspec and hcfusbhw if you are running the USB driver).

    If the modules do not appear, try to load them with "modprobe hcfpcihw" (or "modprobe hcfusbhw"). If you still don't see them with "lsmod", look at the file /var/log/messages and the output from the command "dmesg" for clues on why the modules failed to load.

  34.  

  35. Modules crash upon loading or refuse to load due to a wrong compiler version.

    It is very important that the driver modules be compiled with the same compiler version that was used to build your kernel.

    If the wrong version is used (i.e. gcc2 instead of gcc3 or vice-versa) the system may crash or refuse to load the modules.

    You can use the command "cat /proc/version" and "gcc -v" to check the version strings.

  36.  

  37. Where does hcf{pci|usb}config look for the kernel sources?

    By default, hcf{pci|usb}config looks for the symbolic link /lib/modules/(kernelversion)/build
    If this link exists and points to a valid directory, then hcf{pci|usb}config will use this directory as the kernel sources' location.

    If the link does not exist, hcf{pci|usb}config will try to use /usr/src/linux or /usr/local/src/linux.

    Please note that if your kernel sources are in /usr/local/src/linux, but you also have a /usr/src/linux link pointing to an invalid or empty directory, then hcf{pci|usb}config will try to use /usr/src/linux and it will fail.

    It is VERY important that the kernel sources' version match the kernel version that you are currently running. If it isn't the case, then hcf{pci|usb}config will report and error.

  38.  

  39. I'm having problems uninstalling the RPM package.

    Try the following command:

    rpm -e --noscripts --force --allmatches hcfpcimodem

    If the driver prevents your system from starting normally, you could try booting in 'single user' or 'failsafe' mode first.

  40.  

  41. What does "warning: ...rpm: V3 DSA signature: NOKEY, key ID 5dfbf7dc" mean?

    Before installing a package, RPM tries to verify its integrity.

    The packages distributed by Linuxant are cryptographically signed with our public PGP key, which is not known to RPM by default. However, it can be found on many keyservers or downloaded from http://www.linuxant.com/pubkey.asc

    Once you have downloaded our public key, you can import it in your RPM database. You can do this with the following command:

    rpm --import /path/to/pubkey.asc

    After the key has been imported, the NOKEY warning messages should disappear.

    Afterward, a package's signature can be verified with the command:

    rpm --checksig /path/to/package.rpm

  42.  

  43. Is V.92 supported?

    The V.92 modulation is supported as well as V.44 compression. However, the MOH (Modem On Hold) feature cannot be supported at this time because it requires a special application to interface with the user. This should be provided in a future release.

  44.  

  45. Is FAX supported?

    Both HCF and HSF drivers now have fax class 1 (+FCLASS=1) and 1.0 (+FCLASS=1.0) support.

  46.  

  47. Is VOICE supported?

    The HCF driver has voice support (+FCLASS=8), but this functionality has not been tested a lot and might not work properly.

    We hope to improve it and also add voice support to the HSF driver soon.

  48.  

  49. I have a USB HCF modem. Why don't you provide an x86 version of the hcfusbmodem package?

    Unfortunately the hcfusbmodem driver only supports the Cadmus2 chipset internally used by Apple in later generation PowerPC desktop and notebook machines. Most if not all external USB HCF modems on the market use an earlier chipset (Cadmus1), which requires too many workarounds and excessive polling by the CPU to be well supported under Linux.

  50.  

  51. Do you support other operating systems (eg. BeOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, etc.)?

    At this time, we only distribute Linux drivers and there are currently no plans to support other operating systems.

    However, people interested in porting the drivers to other operating systems should contact us.

  52.  

  53. Do you plan on releasing a Linux driver for Conexant ADSL chipsets?

    Linuxant has licensed core technology and hopes to provide official Linux drivers for Conexant ADSL chipsets in the future.

    In the meantime, you could take a look at the "other drivers" section on the links page at http://www.linuxant.com/drivers/links.php.

  54.  

 

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