[Cooker] pcmcia modem problem

[Vincent Meyer, MD]

Hello,

The problem with using pcmcia modems is still present with the present cooker 
kernel and card services software. (cooker update this afternoon).  If the 
computer is started with the modem in the slot, it will come up busy when you 
try to use it.  Using modprobe to unload and reload the module will allow it 
to work.

Ejecting the card when it's in the locked up state will crash the system.

If whoever is troubleshooting these things wants files / logs / etc, please 
e-mail me.  

Vinny

[Cooker] pcmcia modem problems

[Vincent Meyer, MD]

There is still a problem with PCMCIA modems.  If the machine is booted with 
the modem already in the slot, trying to use it will result in a message that 
the modem is busy.  

EJECTING the card at this point will crash the interupt handler in the kernel 
about 50% of the time.  If the display is on a console instead of an X 
session, there will be a message about the interupt handler (I don't remember 
the exact message), then screens full of numbers.

Doing a modprobe -r serial_cs followed by THEN ejecting the card (NEVER 
crashed the kernel if the card was ejected after unloading the module, in 
something like 50 attempts) and then re-inserting it will allow it to work 
ok.  The other alternative that works is modprobe -r serial_cs followed by 
modprobe serial_cs to reload the module.

Has anyone else seen this behavior?  It's been this way for the last few 
kernel revisions.

V.

Re: [Cooker] pcmcia modem kernel problem

[OS]

I have also noticed kernel panics when ejecting PCMCIA modems and network 
cards

Owen

>I noticed today that there is still a problem which has been
> there for at 
> least the last few kernel revisions.  Using a pcmcia serial modem -
> either my
> Zoom one or a brand new Creative Labs one, when the card is in the slot
> on 
> boot, trying to use it will come up with "modem is busy".  Ejecting the
> card 
> will crash the kernel interupt handler.  The modem CAN be used if it is 
> either inserted AFTER the computer is completely booted up, or if a 
> modprobe -r serial_cs followed by a modprobe serial_cs is done.
>
> V.

[Cooker] pcmcia modem kernel problem

[Vincent Meyer, MD]

Hi, 

I noticed today that there is still a problem which has been there for at 
least the last few kernel revisions.  Using a pcmcia serial modem - either my
Zoom one or a brand new Creative Labs one, when the card is in the slot on 
boot, trying to use it will come up with "modem is busy".  Ejecting the card 
will crash the kernel interupt handler.  The modem CAN be used if it is 
either inserted AFTER the computer is completely booted up, or if a 
modprobe -r serial_cs followed by a modprobe serial_cs is done.

V.

[Cooker] pcmcia modem

[Vincent Meyer, MD]

Hey!

A while ago I reported that when using a pcmcia modem (NOT a winmodem) that 
the throughput was poor, and that the throughput graph had long periods of no 
traffic, then an occasional burst.  External modem on a serial port, same 
connection to same isp, to same site, worked fine.   Was a mystery.

Bought an external modem, also have broadband (which is down today), so 
tried out the pcmcia modem, expecting the worst.

Well.. it works great!  whatever was gunking up pcmcia serial access in 
previous kernels from like 4-5 months ago is fixed!   Way to go!  no more 
bulky external modem and power supply to carry when I travel!

V.

[Cooker] PCMCIA modem throughput still a problem

[Vincent Meyer]

Hello,

I've reported this in the past, and it's still there with the
latest kernel and ppp and stuff.

A PCMCIA modem connected to an ISP will only receive data in 
bursts, often with 5 sec to 1-2 MINUTES between them, regardless of ISP
(tested with Netcom/Earthlink and with Ameritech so far) .  SAME site,
ISP etc with an EXTERNAL modem workss fine.

This was working fine sometime back in 7.1 or so, but hasn't
been right since.  While I don't mind using an external modem as a work
around, some folks will want to use their PCMCIA modem.

This is NOT a winmodem - it's a Zoom model 2975L, which I 
bought specifically because it was supposed to work with Linux!

Any ideas?  Can loan the modem to whoever wants to debug this
if they need it.

V.

[Cooker] PCMCIA Modem not in fit state after boot

[OS]

Hello,

I have noticed with the 2.4.5 and now the 2.4.6 kernels that after a reboot 
the PCMCIA modem is always reported as busy if it was in place during the 
boot. Pop it out and re-insert it and all is fine. Boot without it out and 
then insert it and it's okay. Close the lid and resume some time later and 
the modem is okay. So it looks as if it is a problem with booting with a 
PCMCIA modem in the socket.

Owen