this is my ppp-dialer script which i cut down , didn't make a difference .. #!/bin/sh exec chat -v '' ATZ \ OK ATDT$TELEPHONE \ CONNECT '' \ name:--name: $ACCOUNT \ word: $PASSWORD when i run the ppp-on script which later calls this dialer script , this is what i can see from my var/log/messages :- pppd started chat : send (ATZ) chat : expect OK chat : alarm connect script failed ... so , i tried removing the atz , so , it'll straight away dial... pppd started chat: send (ATDT1511^M) chat: expect CONNECT chat :alarm script failed ... i believe theres a problem with chat communicating with my modem .. how come minicom and xisp can work with my modem without a prob ?