Installing Ltmodem driver for Mandriva

Getting the "ltserial" modem to work was relatively easy.

Going through the Mandriva Control Center wizard with Mandriva 2006, the modem was recognized, but it expects me to install a "ltmodem-kernel" package from an external source.

Since this package wasn't found, I was not able to complete the wizard and manage the modem through through the Mandriva Control Center. It can work fine despite this.

Start with the file here.

Here's a version of the "HOWTO" document there, with my own clarifications:

   # As root... 
   0) 
       # mkdir /lib/modules/2.6.12-12mdk/ltmodem
   1) Copy the files "ltserial.ko" and "ltmodem.ko" to /lib/modules/2.6.12-12mdk/ltmodem
   2) Run depmod -a (to register the new driver modules with the system)
       # depmod -a
   3) Arrange automatic loading at boot time through special file
   /etc/modprobe.preload - Just append the command  ltserial  to that file.
   4) Copy ltmodem.rules to /etc/udev/udev.rules/. Make sure that GROUP parameter
   matches group owner of /dev/ttyLTM0 (use  ls -l /dev/ttyLTM0  ...it's your
   friend). If in doubt and you have a single user machine, set the group for both
   to be the username of the account that will actually use the modem. 
   5) You can then use the modem without rebooting: 
       # modprobe ltserial
       # service udev start
       the modem should now appear on /dev/modem
   (If you can't work out step 5, just reboot for the same effect)

After rebooting, /dev/modem disappeared. I solved that by referencing /dev/ttyLTM0 directly for the modem device, instead of trying to figure how to keep that symbolic link intact.

The included "needed rpms" directory should really be named "recommended rpms". Mandriva 2006 installs "kppp" by default, which may work just as well.

Alternatively, the modem is [http://www.richmondcomputes.org/connecting_to_aol_with_linux confirmed to work] with penggy, an AOL dialer.