[expert] Modem problem

[Sarang Lakare]

why isnt' there a GUI utility to load/unload drivers.. I was trying to get
a modem to work under linux and didn't know how to test it other than kppp.
Under kppp it said modem ready.. then it started querying the modem.. but
the result of all ATIs was blank string.. the modem console was also
blank.. no OK nothing!

any help?
-sarang