[newbie] Connection problems

[Tanner Holloway]

Hi, Recently I installed Linux to find that I couldn't get on the net because I had a winmodem, so I bought a Viking Components 56k External modem(It's serial too, not USB)  When I use Kppp to set everything up, the modem is detected and I know it works right.  I have all my personal connection information entered... I have the DNS info entered, domain name, etc.  When I connect, the modem does connect, though only for around 1 second and then it doesn't send or receive any data.  I called my ISP and FINALLY got someone who knew something about Linux, he told me that he heard about people with Lucent modems(my Viking modem) having problems connecting to the internet.  Does anyone have any idea what my problem is?   Thanks, Tanner Holloway