Dell Mini 9 with Ubuntu

Hi,

Can anyone tell me how to install my O2 Mobile Broadband dongle to my new Dell Mini 9 Netbook? I've done lots of searches and gone to Novatelwireless.com and other websites but can't install the KPPP software they all suggest. I have installed the device on my XP laptop and I've managed to find my username and password through the O2 connection Manager. I have installed GnomePPP on the netbook, and it has asked for a phone number. What is the number to connect to O2 Mobile Broadband?
I have managed to get the netbook to detect the modem by going into the set-up and clicking "detect" next to "Device". It has found it under "/dev/ttyUSB0" and has turned the Type to "Analog Modem" and Speed to "9600".
When I try to connect using the GnomePPP the log file says:
--> Sending: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2+FCLASS=0
ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2+FCLASS=0
OK
--> Modem initialized.
--> Configuration does not specify a valid phone number.

I'm hoping if someone can tell me the telephone number I need then I may be able to connect!

Darren

number for dialling is *99#

hope this helps

Thanks gavb!

I've managed to get a connection now, but am I right in thinking I should be able to connect to the mobilebroadbandaccess.o2.co.uk site to put some credit on my broadband SIM card, or do I need to top it up a different way initially?

This is the output from my Connection Log file:

--> Ignoring malformed input line: ";Do NOT edit this file by hand!"
--> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.60
--> Cannot get information for serial port.
--> Initializing modem.
--> Sending: ATZ
ATZ
OK
--> Sending: ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
OK
--> Modem initialized.
--> Sending: ATM1L1DT*99#
--> Waiting for carrier.
ATM1L1DT*99#
CONNECT
--> Carrier detected. Waiting for prompt.
--> Don't know what to do! Starting pppd and hoping for the best.
--> Starting pppd at Mon Dec 29 14:56:44 2008
--> Warning: Could not modify /etc/ppp/pap-secrets: Permission denied
--> --> PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) may be flaky.
--> Warning: Could not modify /etc/ppp/chap-secrets: Permission denied
--> --> CHAP (Challenge Handshake) may be flaky.
--> Pid of pppd: 7011
--> Using interface ppp0
--> local IP address 10.56.214.166
--> remote IP address 10.64.64.64
--> primary DNS address 82.132.136.102
--> secondary DNS address 82.132.136.103
[/i]

Darren

as for the connection log - i've never used ubuntu myself and it's not 1 of the O/S we support!

at the moment you can only top up by the site - it should be changing in future but we havn't been given any details as yet!

Thanks for the reply again, gavb.

I thought the modem would have let me connect to the top-up site, otherwise how am I expected to top up the SIM card if I don't have an internet connection? Am I expected to find somehwere with Wi-Fi so I can top up the SIM and access the internet via dial-up? This doesn't seem right!

Darren

it should allow you to connect to the network then block access to any other site except the top up site - thats how it works with windows & apple o/s'

can't offer too much help on other o/s sadly - might be worth trying on a linux forum somewhere to see if anyone has had similar issue!

Finally got it sorted! All that was needed was to untick the "work offline" option in the File menu! I can now access the broadband update page!

Darren

Alt method to connect on the Mini 9 is to upgrade Network Manager to 0.7 from 0.66 supplied as 0.7 is almost completely configured for you and provides better support for mobile broadband.

Add the following lines to your /etc/apt/sources.list (go to Administration - Software Sources and you'll se a tab with lots of similar entries, add these here):



Then update by selecting Update Manager from Administration.

You'll see that the wee network manager icon in the top right now gives you some slightly different options and that it now recognises the usb modem without any fannying about, just select edit then enter the username, password and APN. Has to be noted it sees the E160 as an E220 but it still works so who cares.

You sometimes have to plug and unplug it before it is recognised correctly, only takes a min. If 3 E220s show it hasn't switched mode, unplug then plug in again.

Novatel 930D works with 0.7 too.